Japan

3 April - 19 April 2025
Tokyo and Osaka
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Objectives of the mission
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Anchored around the Expo 2025 in Osaka, where Scottish gaming talent was showcased at the UK Pavillion’s Creative Industries Day, the mission also provided pop-up office space and a programme of events, meetups, 1-1s and pitch opportunities, allowing studios to build lasting international connections, showcase Scotland’s creativity, and to learn from Japan's world-leading games industry.

‍Agenda
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7 April - 15 April 2025: Tokyo
7 April:
Pitch Event at Antler Ibex Gaming Series
Panel Session with Masi Oka, Actor, Producer & Digital Effects Artist
Market Briefing from DBT Japan team
Induction at Tunnel Tokyo, SEGA Sammy Group’s coworking space
8 April: Visit to 404 Not Found Creator Hub, meeting with Masahiko Murakami, CEO of Skeleton Crew Studios and founding organiser of BitSummit
9 April: Shibuya Startup Support Info Session & Networking Event
10 April: Pitch Slots at Venture Café Showcase
11 - 15 April: Participant-led activity
15 April: 1-1 with Leland Madren, GTM Advisor

16 - 19 April 2025: Expo 2025 Osaka
17 April: Expo 2025 Showcase
18 April: Q-Games, Independent Games Studio Tour, Kyoto

Invitation, Application and Eligibility Process

- We promoted the opportunity on social media; by emailing all existing Techscaler members; by sharing the opportunity with partners from the gaming sector; and by directly reaching out to gaming contacts in our wider network to promote the opportunity to join Techscaler and apply to the programme.
- All prospective participants completed an application form
- 25 companies applied, 8 were selected

Eligibility and Criteria

Essential Criteria:
- Techscaler membership
- Company must be operating in the games industry
- Must have a games industry product suitable for demo at the Osaka Expo
- Must be a founder / co-founder
- Plans to expand to the Japanese market, or to have existing Japanese customers
- Availability for pre-departure workshop
- Availability for Osaka Expo exhibition day

Assessment and Review
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- All applications were reviewed by the CodeBase team members and representatives from Scottish Enterprise. DITI were also invited to attend the panel. 
- In order to ensure Scotland was represented as strong as possible on the international stage at Expo 2025 in Osaka, companies having 1) a suitably developed product for demonstrations and 2) availability to be in Osaka on 17 April 2025 was essential. In one case where a founder was unable to attend, a non-founding senior employee stood in to ensure this requirement was effectively met. 
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Attending Businesses
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- BearHammer Games 
- Blazing Griffin Limited
- Buildstash
- GLITCHERS Limited
- Konglomerate Games
- Speech Graphics 
- Tank Studios Ltd
- Yaldi Games

In numbers:
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- Participants attending: 8
- CodeBase colleagues attending: 2
- 71 NPS, based on 7 responses completed within 3 weeks of trip ending
- Average costs per flight: £1821.20
- Average cost per hotel room per night: £242.81

Testimonials
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Feedback survey completed by 7 participants within 3 weeks of the trip ending, with 6 providing testimonials. Further details on specific feedback will be included here in due course.
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‍“Techscaler Japan was incredibly useful for building our international network and connections within the Japanese games industry. The trip was also really helpful for learning more about the games market and the different events within the Japanese gaming scene.” - Jamie Bankhead, Konglomerate Games

“The Techscaler Japan programme provided a valuable opportunity to meet both existing and potential Japanese clients in person. It helped me better understand their production needs and processes, and also allowed me to provide hands-on technical support. I gained valuable insights into cultural differences between Japan and the West - important factors when working with Japanese companies. It was also inspiring to connect with other Scottish founders and hear about their journeys.” - Pauline Lecomte, Speech Graphics

“I loved being part of this program and I learned a lot - learnings that had direct impact on my design choices for my next product. I would recommend it to everyone! The Japanese way of business and games needs to be studied, and it all ties back to their culture, so being there and absorbing it is essential in order to grow and think bigger as a founder.” - Elena Höge, Yaldi Games

“Our experience on the Techscaler Japan programme broadened our horizons, both connecting us with the Tokyo startup ecosystem, and opening doors for us in building relationships with Japanese game studios. We came away with a much better understanding of how to do business in Japan, many new connections, and clear roadmap for expanding Buildstash into this exciting market.” - Robbie Cargill, Buildstash

“Take the time to go and put yourself in a new market, find out how you can adapt your products and grow your product in Japan. If you can win here, you will win anywhere. It's a truly unique place.” Max Scott-Slade, Glitchers Ltd

A fantastic opportunity to learn about the reality of doing business in Japan and start getting engaged with the local market.” - Justin Alae-Carew,  Blazing Griffin Limited

Lessons Learned‍

Games-first focus created more impact: when leading a sector-focused cohort, industry-specific events deliver stronger connections than generic startup gatherings. Curating programming and basing cohorts in peak areas for industry maximise impact.  be built around high-value games-industry events or curated pop-ups,  over cross-industry events.

Embed local expertise: additional support dedicated to structured translation and navigating networks, etiquette and local business practice would prevent missed opportunities due to language and cultural barriers.

Expand future opportunities: beyond gaming, there is strong potential to explore deeptech, AI and healthtech in Japan, and other APAC countries in close proximity. There is vast opportunity to optimise trips to maximise sector-specific opportunities for founders.  

Increased pre-mission prep: with appropriate ground and 1-1 prep - from industry insiders, local experts and related mentors - participants would’ve felt better prepped to navigate market expectations, and pitches. Future trips should set participants up for success to navigate international markets, before they arrive.