Japan and India Unite to Empower Startups at ICONN NINJA Demo Day 2025

New Delhi. November 7, 2025

In yet another significant stride toward strengthening India–Japan collaboration, the JICA ICONN NINJA India Acceleration Program—organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is set to host its much-awaited Demo Day for the 3rd Cohort.

Scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at T-Hub, Hyderabad, the event promises to spotlight the synergy between Japanese corporations and innovative Indian startups, driving forward a shared vision of sustainable growth and technological advancement.

The ICONN NINJA (Next Innovation with Japan) program has emerged as a bridge connecting the entrepreneurial strengths of India with Japan’s technological leadership and global networks. Startups participating in this cohort have undergone an intensive acceleration process aimed at refining their business models, enhancing scalability, and aligning their solutions with real-world challenges identified by major Japanese corporations.

The Demo Day serves as a platform for these startups to showcase their groundbreaking innovations to industry leaders, investors, and policymakers creating opportunities for cross-border partnerships and collaborative ventures that can redefine sectors from mobility to sustainability.

Program Highlights

The day will begin with opening remarks and a keynote speech by JICA, followed by engaging sessions featuring messages from past participating startups and corporate partners.

Three major Challenge Owners—Suzuki R&D Center, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Dentsu will interact with finalist startups presenting solutions tailored to their unique innovation themes:

• Suzuki R&D Center: Exploring new applications of the Versatile Micro Electric Mobility (VMeM) platform, fostering the future of small-scale electric mobility.

• Sasakawa Peace Foundation: Seeking innovative ideas for revitalizing rural Asia, including job creation, basic education, and natural resource management.

• Dentsu: Looking for AI-driven, multilingual, and environmentally conscious solutions that enhance customer experiences and drive digital sustainability.

  
  

The event will conclude with a networking session, offering a valuable opportunity for meaningful dialogue among startups, corporate leaders, and investors.

Fostering Innovation through Collaboration

The ICONN NINJA India Acceleration Program continues to symbolize a thriving India Japan innovation partnership, where creativity meets capital, and technology meets opportunity. Through such platforms, both nations are shaping the next wave of startup-driven economic growth, emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, and global competitiveness.

Participants and stakeholders can learn more or register for the event through the CII Global Engagements portal.

As the 2025 Demo Day unfolds, it stands as a powerful testament to how international collaboration and startup innovation together can define the future of industries, communities, and cross-border prosperity.