01
Contrarian.
Step into places where no answer exists yet. Question the assumptions no one else doubts, and hold your inquiry through every pushback. Stack small experiments, and let the customers' fervor prove the thesis.
5th Batch • 2026 – 2027
GB Xlimit
An Accelerator Programby Global Brain
Apply to 5th BatchDue Jul 21, 2026
About GB Xlimit
Contrarian.Frontier.Grit.
An accelerator program for founders out to change the world.
GB Xlimit is a Global Brain accelerator program for pre-Series A startups. Beyond capital, we offer hands-on support from in-house specialists and introductions to our investor network, building the foundation for businesses that can win on a global stage. We look for founders with three qualities — Contrarian, Frontier, and Grit — those who question the conventional, push at the frontier, and see it through to the end.
02
Frontier.
Winning at home isn't enough. Born in Japan, built to compete globally, set to redefine the global standard. Bring the conviction to change the world, not just a clever business plan.
03
Grit.
Passion alone won't take you far. Resilience alone won't change the world. We back founders who burn long, and see it through to the end.
Programs
Tackling challenges, growing together.
Beyond capital, GB Xlimit offers founder sessions, hands-on mentoring, and specialist-led workshops across legal, finance, tech, product, hiring, and PR — alongside customer and partner introductions. A program built around working through the hard problems with you, and growing together.
Funding
Every selected company receives an investment of ¥10M as a baseline. Continued fundraising support from Global Brain and our co-investor network carries through every later round.
Mentoring
Experienced mentors work side-by-side with each team on hypothesis testing, product polish, and presentation. Sessions with specialist investors and seasoned founders sharpen the work as it ships.
Services
Tap the Global Brain network of in-house specialists for the work every growing startup needs — legal, finance, tech, product growth, hiring, PR, and IP — through workshops and one-on-ones.
Network
Plug into the deep network of Japanese enterprises Global Brain has built — for customer leads, partnership introductions, and the investors who'll back your next round. Includes sessions with founders who've raised at scale.
Demo Day
The program closes with a Demo Day in front of an audience of domestic and international investors and top corporates — maximizing the surface area for capital, partnerships, and the business opportunities that follow.
Benefit
Beyond the structured support, founders get office hours with Global Brain capitalists, a private community channel for the GB Xlimit network, and a curated set of perks and discounts to make the build easier day-to-day.
Information
Program info sessions.
An online seminar where mentors who'll be working directly with the cohort walk through what GB Xlimit is, how the program runs, and where it has the most leverage for early-stage founders. Open Q&A at the end. Pick a date that works and join us on Zoom.
Faculties & Mentors
Leaders and experts,
alongside you.
Advice from industry leaders and mentors, intel and consultations from the program team, and introductions to specialists and investors across fields. After the program ends, regular seminars and networking events stay open — you're welcome anytime.
Masa Minato
ALL STAR SAAS FUND
Yutaro Saka
JAFCO Group
Emre Hidekazu Yuasa
GLOBIS Capital Partners
Yuji Kumagai
Emoote
Koki Mizutani
Genesia Ventures
Masaya Kubota
Coalis
Yuya Takegawa
CyberAgent Capital
Tomoki Shirakawa
mint
Kenta Adachi
IDATEN Ventures
Daiki Hirozawa
THE SEED
Keita Matsuyama
New Commerce Ventures
Masahiro Hattori
AKaFUJI
Akihiro Higashi
W
Kota Uno
GMO VenturePartners
Osami Kono
Kyoto University Innovation Capital
Yutaro Kasai
Angel Bridge
Satoshi Fukushima
GLOBIS Capital Partners
Yuri Nakayama
Takuya Sakata
Delight Ventures
Ryohei Minami
GLOBIS Capital Partners
Toshimichi Namba
C. Roy Yang
MUFG Innovation Partners
Yasuhiko Yurimoto
Global Brain Corporation
Hogil Doh
Global Brain Corporation
Kazuki Sakuragawa
Global Brain Corporation
Kia Akiba
Global Brain Corporation
Komugi Matsui
Global Brain Corporation
Nagisa Shigetomi
Global Brain Corporation
Miku Yoshio
Global Brain Corporation
Masamune Shin
Global Brain Corporation
Brian Flucht
Global Brain Corporation
Keiji Niizu
Global Brain Corporation
Tatsunori Arai
Global Brain Corporation
Lusheng Zou
Global Brain Corporation
Kirin Kato
Global Brain Corporation
Takuya Hosomura
Global Brain Corporation
Ryo Kiyofuji
Global Brain Corporation
Kensuke Okubo
Global Brain Corporation
Risa Sato
Global Brain Corporation
Startup Alumni
Companies that
went through GB Xlimit.
21Companies
4Batches
Suishow
Operates a blockchain metaverse and NFT marketplace.
1st Batch
Featured Stories
Stories from the
GB Xlimit program.
Process
Five steps, from
application to alumni.
Along with capital, the program supports growth through curated content, specialist lectures, and office hours. Drawing on Global Brain's experience across many companies, we focus on the points that matter most to startup growth — using them to accelerate your business.
Apply
A four-stage selection that weighs both the team and the thesis behind the company.
- Application reviewInitial screening based on the submitted form.
- InterviewsTwo to three rounds — pitch plus open Q&A.
- Final reviewClosing diligence on materials.
- Cohort announcementSelected companies are announced publicly.
Matching Day
A single day of back-to-back 1-on-1s with every mentor in the program. By the end, each company is paired with the partner mentor who will walk alongside them for the next three months.
- 1-on-1s with every mentorShort, structured conversations with each mentor in turn.
- Two-way matchingPairs are formed based on preferences from both founders and mentors.
- Program alignmentEach pair aligns on the arc of the four months and where to focus.
Program
Four months of deep work, structured around three parallel tracks.
- MentoringWeekly sessions with external operators and GB capitalists, customized to each company.
- Guest sessionsFounder fireside chats and conversations with overseas VCs.
- Enterprise alliancesDirect, candid conversations with leading Japanese corporates exploring investment and partnership.
Demo Day
The culmination of four months — two showcase stages, the Global Brain flagship event and GB Xlimit's own Demo Day. Investors, corporates, and media in the room, ready to translate exposure into next steps.
- Pitch preparationRefining the story, slides, and delivery alongside your mentor.
- GB flagship pitchOn stage in front of 500+ investors, corporates, and media.
- GB Xlimit Demo DayA focused showcase under the GB Xlimit name.
- Investor & corporate 1-on-1sPost-pitch conversations that turn exposure into deals.
Network
The program ends; the relationships don't. Alumni stay connected with mentors, capitalists, peers, and Global Brain's broader portfolio — a foundation that supports whatever comes next.
- Alumni networkOngoing peer-to-peer exchange of learnings and case studies.
- Continued mentor accessThe pairing doesn't expire at Demo Day.
- Portfolio networkIntroductions to GB's portfolio as potential customers and partners.
- Post-program strategyContinued support on fundraising and business strategy.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
01Can I apply even if I am affiliated with a university or employed by a company?
Yes, you may apply while affiliated with a university, company, or other organization. However, if selected, you will be required to establish a legal entity and be employed by that entity.
02Do I need to commit 100% to the program during its duration?
Participation in both the program and Demo Day is required in principle.
03Can I apply even if I have not established a company yet?
Yes, you can apply even if your company has not been established yet. However, if selected, you will be asked to register and incorporate a legal entity.
04How will the information I submit be handled?
As stated in the Terms of Application, any confidential information you provide will not be used for any purpose other than the application process and will be handled with the utmost care to prevent leakage.
05Can I apply as a solo founder?
Yes, there are no restrictions on the number of team members at the time of application. However, program participation is limited to 1 to 3 members per company.
06Can I still join if my company has already raised seed funding (around 10 million yen)?
Yes, companies that have not yet reached Series A are eligible, regardless of previous funding history.
07Can I apply if I have already received investment from another company?
Yes, you can.
08Is there a specific startup stage required to apply?
Yes, the program targets startups that have not yet reached Series A.
09Is it mandatory to accept investment in order to join the program?
In principle, yes. For more details, please refer to the Terms of Application.
10Can I apply if I have previously participated in or am currently part of another accelerator program?
Yes, you can.
Contact
Get in touch with the GB Xlimit team.
For questions about the program, partnership opportunities, or press inquiries, please reach out to our team. Application submissions should be made through the dedicated application page.