{"id":3144,"date":"2026-05-15T00:01:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:01:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/?p=3144"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:10:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T02:10:28","slug":"jichitai-kaigai","status":"publish","type":"contents","link":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/contents\/overseas-dispatch","title":{"rendered":"How to Support Regional Businesses and Startups in Global Expansion \u2014 Likeness's Practice of \"Business Creation-Oriented\" Global Support"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3145 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/79BE8486-5ECC-484B-90FC-29D18D1C8554.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1448\" height=\"1086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/79BE8486-5ECC-484B-90FC-29D18D1C8554.png 1448w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/79BE8486-5ECC-484B-90FC-29D18D1C8554-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/79BE8486-5ECC-484B-90FC-29D18D1C8554-1230x923.png 1230w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/79BE8486-5ECC-484B-90FC-29D18D1C8554-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/79BE8486-5ECC-484B-90FC-29D18D1C8554-16x12.png 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1448px) 100vw, 1448px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In recent years, there has been an increase in consultations regarding local governments' support for startups expanding overseas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>We want to support regional businesses and startups in expanding overseas.<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>I want to strengthen our collaboration with overseas partners as a global hub.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, there is also the challenge that simply exhibiting at overseas trade shows or making short-term visits makes it difficult to lead to concrete business collaborations or continuous relationship building.<\/p>\n<p>At Leave a Nest's Global Bridge Program (GBP), we aim to create a state where businesses are actually operational overseas, rather than just providing \"overseas travel support.\" To achieve this, we offer hands-on support to local governments, regional companies, and startups.<\/p>\n<p>This article introduces Leave-us's global support strategy and practices, based on actual questions received from local governments.<\/p>\n<h2>Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><em>Why is there a current need for local governments to support overseas expansion?<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>What kind of results are we aiming for with overseas expansion support?<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>To avoid just exhibiting overseas<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>What does \"accompanying support\" specifically entail?<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>How is the local network built?<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>How are the selected companies chosen?<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Creating \"locally-driven\" global case studies with local governments<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>1. Why is local government support for overseas expansion needed now?<\/h2>\n<p>In recent years, many local governments have been<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Formation of a Global Startup Hub<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Creating a hub for new industries<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Preventing the outflow of technology and human resources from regions<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With themes such as these, we have begun initiatives to support the overseas expansion of regional companies and startups.<\/p>\n<p>Especially in recent years, there has been an increase in cases where R&amp;D-oriented startups and deep tech companies build their businesses with the premise of connecting with overseas markets and research institutions from the early stages of their founding.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, many local governments are facing the following challenges:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I don't know how to design support for overseas expansion.<\/li>\n<li>I don't know how to build an international network.<\/li>\n<li>I want to turn this inspection into results.<\/li>\n<li>I'm wondering which companies we should select.<\/li>\n<li>I want to maximize results with a limited budget.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>At Leave a Nest, we provide \"venture creation support\" to address these challenges.<\/p>\n<h2>2. for overseas expansion support, what should be set as KPIs?<\/h2>\n<p>In the context of supporting overseas expansion, the term \"matching\" is widely used.<\/p>\n<p>However, in reality,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Interview<\/li>\n<li>Continued discussion<\/li>\n<li>Cooperation Agreement (NDA, MOU, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The degree of business development varies significantly.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, there are many cases where \"matching numbers\" are actually just interview numbers.<\/p>\n<p>For this reason, at Leave-a-Nest, we aim for more than just creating connections,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Non-Disclosure Agreement<\/li>\n<li>Letter of Intent<\/li>\n<li>MOU<\/li>\n<li>Proof of Concept<\/li>\n<li>Joint research<\/li>\n<li>Project Release<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For example, we emphasize \"externally explainable results.\"<\/p>\n<p>For example,<a href=\"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/1410\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sendai\/Tohoku Expansion Program \"STEP for GROWTH\"<\/a>Then, through six months of support, we achieved two joint research agreements, three LOIs\/MOUs, and two project releases, among other accomplishments.<a href=\"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/1tp3-te3-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Achieve results<\/a>I was connected. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Also, at Leave a Nest, we emphasize \"creating a state where business actually operates overseas,\" rather than \"exhibiting at overseas trade shows\" itself.<\/p>\n<p>Companies that received actual support are moving towards the formation of concrete agreements for business alliances and joint research through participation in local academic conferences and corporate visits.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3153\" src=\"http:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/IMG_3762-800x293.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/IMG_3762-800x293.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/IMG_3762-768x281.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/IMG_3762-18x7.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/IMG_3762.jpeg 1179w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>3. To ensure your participation in overseas trade shows isn't just a one-off event<\/h2>\n<p>One common challenge in supporting overseas expansion is that \"it ends with exchanging business cards after meeting in person.\"<\/p>\n<p>For short-term travel,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\"Let's exchange information first.\"<\/li>\n<li>I will consider it after I return to Japan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This often leads to conversations that end without leading to specific discussions.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, at Real, we emphasize the importance of creating a state prior to travel where we can focus on \"verification\" and \"agreement on concrete next actions\" on-site.<\/p>\n<p>Before traveling<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Organizing the target market<\/li>\n<li>Clarifying the target customer<\/li>\n<li>Exploration of collaboration candidates<\/li>\n<li>English pitch design<\/li>\n<li>Setting a business meeting objective<\/li>\n<li>Building a local hypothesis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>and proceed to clarify \"what will be verified.\"<\/p>\n<p>In other words, we support companies that are thinking about \"what they want to achieve overseas\" rather than just \"companies that want to go overseas.\"<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>4. What does \"accompanying support\" specifically entail?<\/h2>\n<p>The characteristic of Leave-nest is the supportive guidance by \"Science Bridge Communicators.\"<\/p>\n<p>Members with expertise as researchers, who have also launched businesses both domestically and internationally as entrepreneurs, will partner with companies, running alongside them and sweating it out together.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, L-NEST has made it its business to communicate science and technology in an easy-to-understand manner through \"Science Bridge Communication.\"<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, for supporting companies, rather than simply providing English translation or pitch coaching, we put a lot of energy into organizing their philosophy and technical strengths in a way that can be communicated to the other party, into \"creating words.\"<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, that work is not completed before departure.<\/p>\n<p>While conducting actual presentations and interviews on-site,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Where was the reaction?<\/li>\n<li>What wasn't communicated?<\/li>\n<li>Which words struck a chord?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We will verify this and revise the communication method on the spot.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, I rewrite presentation materials even on a moving bus and adjust hypotheses for the next destination.<\/p>\n<p>I believe that this kind of communication itself is an important hypothesis testing process.<\/p>\n<p>Not just a coordinator,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Which country and which organization should you partner with?<\/li>\n<li>Which market should I test in?<\/li>\n<li>In what order should I build relationships?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We will explore local organizations that we haven't worked with before from scratch, if necessary, while considering how to do so together.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3150\" src=\"http:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/1BEE813A-DEBF-4638-AFAE-9DB48956D515-1-800x400.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/1BEE813A-DEBF-4638-AFAE-9DB48956D515-1-800x400.png 800w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/1BEE813A-DEBF-4638-AFAE-9DB48956D515-1-1230x615.png 1230w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/1BEE813A-DEBF-4638-AFAE-9DB48956D515-1-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/1BEE813A-DEBF-4638-AFAE-9DB48956D515-1-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/1BEE813A-DEBF-4638-AFAE-9DB48956D515-1-18x9.png 18w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/1BEE813A-DEBF-4638-AFAE-9DB48956D515-1.png 1774w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>The support process is as follows.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Recruitment and Selection<\/li>\n<li>Constructing international expansion hypotheses<\/li>\n<li>Search for 10+ potential local partners<\/li>\n<li>Online interview<\/li>\n<li>On-site visit<\/li>\n<li>Follow-up after returning home<\/li>\n<li>Results Creation (NDA, MOU, PoC, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Joint research and commercialization<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>In actual travel, after conducting multiple online interviews, based on about three days of on-site activities,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One-on-one visit<\/li>\n<li>Speaking at a local event<\/li>\n<li>Poster Presentation<\/li>\n<li>University\/Research Institution Visit<\/li>\n<li>Startup exchange<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We will verify our business hypotheses by combining various elements.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, by actively disseminating technical and research information on-site, opportunities may arise to connect with companies and researchers that were not anticipated beforehand.<\/p>\n<h2>5. How are you building your local network?<\/h2>\n<p>Since its founding, Leave-a-Nest has expanded its business globally, and in particular, since 2010, has continuously engaged in education, human resource development, research, and startup support activities in various Asian countries. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Currently,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Singapore<\/li>\n<li>Malaysia<\/li>\n<li>Philippines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We have overseas subsidiaries and are building networks with universities, research institutions, government agencies, *zaibatsu* (conglomerates), startups, accelerators, and others in each country. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For example,<a href=\"https:\/\/lne.st\/2025\/10\/25\/esg_gia_gotosg_2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">As the Japanese partner of Enterprise Singapore's Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), we continuously support startups in their overseas expansion.<\/a>I am doing it. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In recent years, we have also strengthened our activities in East Asian regions such as Taiwan and South Korea,<a href=\"https:\/\/lne.st\/2025\/07\/31\/iaps-mou\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MOU signing with Taiwan's National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Accelerator IAPS<\/a>We are also promoting collaboration with research and business creation ecosystems in various Asian countries.<\/p>\n<p>Asia is easily accessible from Japan due to its close proximity and small time difference. Many regions are also friendly towards Japan, creating an environment that is conducive for Japanese companies to conduct demonstrations, Proofs of Concept (PoC), and joint research.<\/p>\n<p>Actually, for each supporting company,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Which country should I verify in?<\/li>\n<li>Which research institutions and companies should I connect with?<\/li>\n<li>In what order should we approach market development?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We will make use of our local network while considering these options.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3083\" src=\"http:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/DSC01737-800x533.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/DSC01737-800x533.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/DSC01737-1230x820.jpeg 1230w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/DSC01737-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/DSC01737-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/DSC01737-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/85\/2026\/05\/DSC01737-18x12.jpeg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>6. How to Choose Supported Companies<\/h2>\n<p>The supported companies range broadly, from those developing prototypes domestically to those already having overseas bases.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, international expansion requires a sustained commitment, so in the recruitment and selection stages, it's not enough to simply have the desire to \"go abroad.\"<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Novelty of technology and research<\/li>\n<li>The product or service is ready for market launch.<\/li>\n<li>Positioning overseas expansion as a means to solve problems and realize ideals<\/li>\n<li>Prioritizing overseas expansion in fundraising strategy<\/li>\n<li>Having a system that can operate continuously<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Discussions will be held from multifaceted perspectives, such as.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, support is available not only for companies that already have sales, but also for startups in the PoC (Proof of Concept) phase or research and development stage, if business growth can be expected through demonstrations or joint research abroad.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, municipal officials can also attend the meetings, and we proceed by sharing the project design and the reasons for its adoption.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Creating global case studies based in the region, in collaboration with local governments<\/h2>\n<p>At Leave us, we have been involved in the following overseas expansion support businesses:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Small and Medium Enterprise Agency &quot;Model Project for Strengthening Sales Capabilities&quot;<\/li>\n<li>Ota Ward: &quot;Project to Investigate Opportunities for Collaboration Between Local Companies and Overseas Startups&quot;<\/li>\n<li>NEDO &quot;Survey Project on Support for the Overseas Expansion of R&amp;D-Oriented Startups&quot;<\/li>\n<li>Hiroshima Prefecture: &quot;Project to Create Demonstration Projects for Collaboration with Overseas Startups, etc.&quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/hiroshima-greenocean.jp\/startups\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/hiroshima-greenocean.jp\/startups\/index.html<\/a><\/li>\n<li>AMEICC \"ASEAN Collaboration Promotion Project for Startups\"<\/li>\n<li>Kyoto University IC: &quot;Tasks Related to the Launch of the Singapore Office&quot;<\/li>\n<li>JETRO Yokohama \"CleanTech Singapore Mission\"<\/li>\n<li>Ibaraki Prefecture: Business Matching Project with Promising Foreign Companies<\/li>\n<li>Sendai City \u201cSendai Global Startup Hub Operations\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What's important isn't \"going abroad,\" but<\/p>\n<p>Leveraging local technologies, research, and industrial characteristics,<br \/>\nOur goal is to establish ongoing business operations overseas.<\/p>\n<p>For that, rather than short-term inspections,<br \/>\nWe need support to accompany us consistently from hypothesis building to outcome creation.<\/p>\n<h2>Please feel free to contact us anytime.<\/h2>\n<p>At Ribane, we offer consultation services to local governments and support organizations regarding overseas expansion initiatives and partnerships with overseas organizations.<\/p>\n<p>If you are interested in helping local companies and startups expand overseas or connecting local industries with the global market, please feel free to contact us.<\/p>\n<p>Strategic Development Division, Akinaga (gbp@lnest.jp)<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":3145,"template":"","contents_cat":[17,19],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contents\/3144"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contents"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/contents"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"contents_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gbp.lne.st\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contents_cat?post=3144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}