Build global commercialisation skills for your medical technology.
Overview
HiDEP Global is a practical commercialisation program designed to help early-stage medical and healthcare startups build the capabilities, confidence, and connections needed to pursue global opportunities.
The program equips founders and startups from across Japan with foundational skills in global commercialisation, including market validation, regulatory and market access considerations, investment readiness, and international growth strategy.
Through expert-led sessions, practical workshops, mentoring, and connections to global healthcare innovation networks, participants will test key assumptions, strengthen their commercial strategy, and gain a clearer understanding of what it takes to bring healthcare innovations to international markets.
HiDEP Global is powered by a partnership between Kyoto University and MedTech Actuator.
What You'll Gain
Global Readiness
Build the knowledge and confidence to understand international market expectations and navigate the challenges of taking your healthtech innovation into global markets.
Real-World Validation
Test and strengthen your clinical, commercial, and investment assumptions through practical validation with experienced international stakeholders.
Strategic Growth
Gain practical insights and skills to refine your commercialisation strategy, identify global opportunities, and take the next steps towards international growth.
Program Structure
1
Phase 1 – Explore & Learn
Up to 15 teams
Build the foundations for global healthcare commercialisation through practical workshops, expert guidance, and structured preparation.
Participants will develop a clearer understanding of what international clinical, commercial, and investment stakeholders expect from early-stage startups, while strengthening the core materials and value propositions needed to engage global markets.
Key activities include:
Commercialisation seminars and practical workshops
Development of a compelling pitch deck and executive summary
Refinement of clinical, commercial, and investment value propositions
Mapping the key assumptions to test and validate internationally
Startups are kindly asked to cover travel expenses to program activities in Phase 1 of HiDEP Global.
By the end of Phase 1, startups will have a stronger commercialisation foundation, clearer market hypotheses, and greater readiness to engage international stakeholders.
Selected startups will progress to the Australian market immersion in Phase 2.
Phase 2 - Experience & Connect
Up to 5 teams
Selected startups will put their learning into practice through executive mentoring and an intensive market immersion in Australia, a valuable environment for international validation and real-world learning.
Founders will engage directly with clinicians, investors, commercialisation experts, and ecosystem partners to test key assumptions, gather market feedback, and refine their global market-entry strategy.
Key activities include:
Pitching to the Innovation Assessment Board
Dedicated executive mentoring and immersion preparation
Clinical, commercial and investment validation sessions
Tailored 1:1 meetings with relevant Australian stakeholders
Final reflection and presentation of refined plans and next steps
Travel to Australia and accommodation in Melbourne for one founder from each startup will be covered by Kyoto University as part of HiDEP Global.
By the end of Phase 2, startups will have practical international experience, stronger stakeholder engagement skills, and clearer pathways for commercialisation, investment, collaboration, and market entry.
Program journey
Eligibility
Who should apply
HiDEP Global is designed for Japan-based, seed to Series A MedTech and BioTech startups preparing for international expansion and the commercialisation of their technologies in global markets.
Applicants should:
Be a Japan-based MedTech or BioTech company focused on improving human health;
Ideally be developing technologies in neuroscience, cardiovascular health, or related areas;
Be at a stage where they are ready to explore international market entry and test key clinical, commercial, and investment assumptions;
Be seeking to refine their global market-entry and
commercialisation strategy;
Have sufficient English proficiency to participate in workshops, mentoring, presentations, and stakeholder meetings; and
Be open to exploring international investment, partnership, and collaboration opportunities.
The program is best suited to startups that are ready to learn from international stakeholders and apply those insights to their global growth and commercialisation strategy.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact our team:
Entrance Pathways
Prepare Your Application
Tell us about your technology and business focus, any existing collaborations, and why you want to join the program.
Submit Online
Complete the application form by 11:59pm JST, October 11.
Partners
Powered by a partnership between Kyoto University and MedTech Actuator.
