みなとロケット/Minato Rocket 　ハイブリッドロケット

Minato Rocket Selected for JETRO’s J-StarX UK Accelerator, Marking First Step Toward European Space Market Entry

はなこみなと — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:16:52 +0000

Minato Rocket ., Ltd. is pleased to announce its selection for the “J-StarX UK Accelerator Programme (Space & Advanced Technologies),” a global scale-up initiative backed by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Currently, we are advancing the commercial development of a safe, high-frequency space transportation infrastructure powered by our proprietary hybrid rocket propulsion technology. For our company, participating in this program serves as a crucial first step and strategic entry point to explore market opportunities across the UK and the broader European space sector.

A core advantage of this program is the direct access it provides to the expansive ecosystem of Seraphim Space, the world’s most prolific SpaceTech venture capital firm and the manager of the world’s first publicly listed space technology fund. With a robust track record of backing over 60 highly innovative space startups and driving significant capital into the global space economy, Seraphim possesses unparalleled domain expertise and a deep network of industry heavyweights.

By tapping into this top-tier investor ecosystem, we will conduct initial market validation with a focus on European regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and regional market demands. Furthermore, through active engagement at major industry conferences and direct dialogue with European space agencies and commercial entities, we aim to lay the groundwork for a future global supply chain and long-term strategic partnerships.

Supported by JETRO and the J-StarX initiative, we are committed to broadening our horizons and refining our global business strategy far beyond the Japanese domestic market.

Pitch at Japan’s S-Booster 2026 at SPACETIDE, Showcasing Hybrid Rocket Space Transportation

はなこみなと — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:28:00 +0000

Minato Rocket Inc. has passed the document screening stage of S-Booster 2026 and has been invited to pitch on July 9, 2026. S-Booster is one of Japan’s best-known space startup programs and has played an important role in discovering and supporting emerging ventures in the country’s space industry.

Since 2025, the program has been carried forward by SPACETIDE, a leading platform in Japan’s space business ecosystem, and has evolved beyond a business idea competition into a broader unicorn creation program covering acceleration, partnership building, and investor engagement.

At the upcoming pitch session, to be held during SPACETIDE 2026 in Toranomon, Tokyo, Minato Rocket will present its hybrid rocket-based space transportation business, aimed at enabling safer and more frequent access to space. The event is expected to welcome more than 50 members of the media, reflecting strong interest from across the wider space business ecosystem.

Minato Rocket is developing a safe, high-frequency space transportation service based on non-explosive hybrid rocket technology originating from university research.
Leveraging Japan’s unique geography as a sea-surrounded nation, the company is pursuing flexible multi-site launch operations, including offshore launches.
In doing so, it aims to provide a more agile and user-friendly transport service for small satellites than conventional launch approaches, and to build a new space transportation infrastructure originating from Japan.

Related Links

S-Booster 2026, Japan’s Space Unicorn Creation Programme
A space-themed business idea competition that has been organised by the Cabinet Office of Japan since 2017. It is widely regarded as a gateway for emerging space ventures in Japan, having produced leading startups in today’s space industry, including GITAI, ArkEdge Space, and Tenchijin.
SPACETIDE: An international conference bringing together the forefront of the space business
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投稿 Pitch at Japan’s S-Booster 2026 at SPACETIDE, Showcasing Hybrid Rocket Space Transportation はみなとロケット/Minato Rocket 　ハイブリッドロケットに最初に表示されました。

Minato Rocket Showcases Hybrid Launch Vision at Tokyo Consortium Networking Day

はなこみなと — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:34:29 +0000

Tokyo, Japan – Minato Rocket recently took the stage at the Tokyo Consortium Networking Day, hosted at the Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB). Selected and backed by the Kanagawa Prefectural Government, we were honored to be among an exclusive group of 10 to 15 top regional startups invited to the event.

During our lightning pitch, we showcased our vision for the future of space access: building a safe, high-cadence, and cost-effective launch infrastructure powered by our record-breaking hybrid rocket technology.

We look forward to leveraging these new connections with government agencies, ecosystem builders, and corporate partners as we accelerate the commercialization of our hybrid launch vehicles.

Minato Rocket Joins Tokyo’s NEXs Tokyo Program and Secures New Public Endorsements for Hybrid Launch Vehicle Development

はなこみなと — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:05:02 +0000

Minato Rocket, a Japan-based space transportation startup, has joined “NEXs Tokyo,” a startup support program operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Building on more than 12 years of R&D and 14 successful flight demonstrations, we have established a robust technology foundation with one of Japan’s strongest track records in hybrid launch vehicle development.

In addition, Minato Rocket was selected through a municipal recommendation slot for the Tokyo Consortium Networking Day and has been invited to pitch at Tokyo Innovation Base, a startup hub operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. These selections demonstrate that our company is recognized not only for its engineering capabilities, but also for its business viability, reliability, and ability to communicate our vision to a global audience.

Minato Rocket provides a safe and realistic launch option for small satellite manufacturers worldwide who face limited launch opportunities, long wait times, and a shortage of trusted launch partners. Underpinned by public-sector support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other institutions, as well as years of proven flight demonstrations, we are building a reliable smallsat launch infrastructure from Asia to the rest of the world.

Looking Ahead
With the backing of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and our new selection into NEXs Tokyo, Minato Rocket is entering the next phase of hybrid launch vehicle development. NEXs Tokyo (short for “Nexus Ecosystem Xs Tokyo”) is a government-backed startup program designed to connect startups, corporates, investors, and local governments across industries and regions to create new innovation from Tokyo.

Tokyo Innovation Base – Global Startup Hub in Tokyo
A startup hub operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, hosting pitch events, networking, and global support for high-potential startups.

About Minato Rocket
Minato Rocket Co., Ltd. is a Japanese aerospace startup dedicated to developing hybrid rocket engines. Holding the domestic record for hybrid rocket performance, the company aims to revolutionize the launch service industry by offering safe and highly frequent space transportation solutions.

Minato Rocket Secures Backing from Three Major Japanese Accelerators to Advance Hybrid Launch Vehicle Development

はなこみなと — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 05:42:06 +0000

Tokyo, Japan – Minato Rocket.,Ltd. a commercial aerospace company developing Japan’s record-holding hybrid launch vehicles, has secured strategic backing from three of the country’s premier deep-tech accelerators: STATION Ai Catapult, FASTAR, and K-NIC.

This triple-endorsement from top-tier government and private-sector leaders strongly validates our core technology and accelerates our mission to provide safe, high-cadence, and responsive launch services for the rapidly expanding smallsat market.

STATION Ai Catapult (Backed by SoftBank & Aichi Prefecture)
Minato Rocket has been selected for the 8th cohort of STATION Ai Catapult, the flagship accelerator at Japan’s largest open innovation hub. Located in Nagoya—the undisputed center of Japan’s aerospace and automotive manufacturing—this program gives us direct access to a world-class industrial base. We are actively leveraging this ecosystem to secure strategic manufacturing partners and build a resilient, scalable supply chain for our hybrid propulsion systems and launch vehicle structures.
FASTAR (Backed by SME Support Japan / Japanese Government)
As a deep-tech space company, we were also chosen for FASTAR, a highly selective accelerator operated by the Japanese government (SME Support Japan). This strong institutional backing validates our core technology and significantly accelerates our timeline to commercial launch operations. This support will be instrumental in finalizing our go-to-market strategy for responsive space access.
K-NIC Startup Hands-on Program (Backed by NEDO & Kawasaki City)
Furthermore, we are participating in the K-NIC Startup Hands-on Program, an initiative tailored for R&D-intensive deep-tech startups. This program strategically positions us to secure major non-dilutive government grants from NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization). This backing strengthens our financial foundation for upcoming funding rounds and the final stages of our orbital vehicle development.

Looking Ahead
With the backing of these three major programs, we are ready to take our development to the next level. Minato Rocket is fully committed to making safe, high-frequency space transportation a reality.