The Startup Ecosystem of Fukuoka

Fukuoka has 83 startups in our sample database. This represents about 4% of Japan’s startups. Fukuoka is the 4th best startup ecosystem in Japan.

CITY RANKING

In 2023, the startup scene of Fukuoka shows much promise after advancing in the Global Ecosystem Index by 6 spots.

National Ranking

4th
0
In Japan

Regional Ranking

21st
+
1
In East Asia

Global Ranking

214th
+
6
Worldwide

In Partnership with

Fukuoka Ecosystem Partner logo

Ecosystem

Startup Ecosystem Overview

river between high rise buildings during night time
Fukuoka has established itself as one of Japan’s most rapidly growing startup hubs, with impressive statistics to support its reputation. The city boasts a remarkable business opening rate of 6.3%, the highest in Japan over the past four years. Within a span of 10 years, Fukuoka has witnessed the launch of over 540 companies, collectively employing approximately 18,000 individuals.


One of the key factors contributing to Fukuoka’s success is its strong government support and commitment to fostering entrepreneurship. The Fukuoka City Government actively promotes startup development through initiatives like Startup City Fukuoka, aimed at cultivating the local startup ecosystem. As part of this initiative, the city provides loans to entrepreneurs who have established their businesses in Fukuoka within the past two years. To qualify, entrepreneurs undergo a screening process and may receive a maximum loan of 35 million yen at the low interest rate of 1.3%. Additionally, Fukuoka City hosts an annual Business Plan Contest, offering contest winners the chance to secure the Set Up Subsidy with a maximum prize of 1 million yen.


Fukuoka is home to several startup incubators and accelerators that provide comprehensive support to startups at various stages of development. These include Startup City Fukuoka, Fukuoka Growth Next, and Global Challenge! Startup Team Fukuoka. These incubators offer valuable resources, expertise, and networking opportunities to nurture the growth of innovative ventures in the city.


The presence of esteemed educational institutions further enhances Fukuoka’s startup ecosystem. Fukuoka University and Kyushu University attract a large number of students, positioning Fukuoka as the third city with the highest student ratio in Japan. This creates an environment conducive to knowledge transfer and collaboration.


Notably, initiatives like Engineer Cafe bring together computer engineers from both the public and private sectors, offering opportunities for networking and technical knowledge sharing through various events. Fukuoka also offers a variety of coworking spaces to cater to the needs of startups and entrepreneurs. Notable spaces include Co-working and Co-learning space Q, Fabbit, and Yokalab Tenjin, providing flexible work environments and fostering a sense of community among like-minded individuals.

Startups

Fukuoka Top Startup Industries

Hardware & IoT icon
Hardware & IoT
#122 worldwide

11 startups

Edtech icon
Edtech
#126 worldwide

5 startups

Social & Leisure icon
Social & Leisure
#141 worldwide

12 startups

Ecosystem HealthCheck

Fukuoka Ecosystem Health Check

The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Fukuoka has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...

  • Overperformance
  • Performance equal to global ranking
  • Underperformance
ParameterParameter Global rankParameter rank change since 2022ResultContribution to total scoreRank gain / loss due to parameter
Total Score21462.445100%0
Quantity Score161650.52221.35%43
Sample size of startups160198220.12%44
Sample size of accelerators19314840%-1
Sample size of coworking spaces13073440%19
Community Score258-632690.031.23%-7

ECOSYSTEM

Browse the startup ecosystem database of Fukuoka

Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Fukuoka

Startups in Fukuoka excel in Hardware & IoT, Edtech, and Social & and Leisure. There are some notable success stories contributing to the city’s growing Hardware & IoT industry. One of the most promising startups in Fukuoka in 2023 is Gogolook Co,. Ltd., Nulab Inc., and Nulab.

Global Rank

Fukuoka is ranked within the top 300 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Fukuoka’s startups excel particularly in Hardware & IoT where it ranks 122 and in Edtech, and Social & Leisure. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in Japan - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2023 National Rank & Change ▲
2023 National Rank & Change City
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Global Rank & ChangeTotal Score
Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries
Quantity Score
Quality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
14th
+
1
44.067
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
128th
-
9
5.535
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
172nd
+
10
3.627
00.00
00.00
00.00
4th
0
214th
+
6
2.445
00.00
00.00
00.00
5th
0
320th
-
41
1.181
00.00
00.00
00.00
6th
+
1
476th
+
95
0.547
00.00
00.00
00.00
7th
-
1
490th
-
96
0.518
00.00
00.00
00.00
8th
+
1
694th
+
152
0.259
00.00
00.00
00.00
9th
-
1
729th
-
35
0.239
00.00
00.00
00.00
10th
+
1
847th
+
64
0.174
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Startups

Notable Startups in Fukuoka
Gogolook Co,. Ltd. startup icon
Gogolook Co,. Ltd.
Nulab Inc. startup icon
Nulab Inc.
Nulab startup icon
Nulab

Startups

Successful Hardware & IoT startups in Fukuoka
Braveridge startup icon
Braveridge

ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Fukuoka's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Fukuoka there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Hardware & IoT, Edtech, Social & Leisure. These three industries represent about 34% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Fukuoka.

4th

National Rank

21st

Regional Rank

Overview

Fukuoka is Japan's 4th best startup ecosystem and is ranked 21st in East Asia. With a population of 1M - 2M people, Fukuoka is ranked 214th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including Gogolook Co,. Ltd..

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