Incubation Program
From Idea to Prototype, Validate, Build, and Grow with Confidence
Program Description & Focus Points
Have an idea with potential, but need structure, guidance, and support to validate and build it?
The MELIC Incubation Program is a 3-month intensive designed to help founders shape early-stage ideas into viable ventures. We guide teams through market discovery, product definition, and business model development — preparing them for potential entry into our Accelerator Program.
Our approach is structured around three core focus points:
Customer Discovery
Validate pain points, define user needs
Product Development
Build & test a prototype from insights
Business Modeling
Create a roadmap, pitch & funding plan
We help early-stage teams turn insight into action — and promising concepts into investable ventures.
Program Benefits
What selected student teams gain during the program
- Structured market and customer discovery process
- Hands-on product development and prototyping support
- Business model validation and pitch readiness
- Dedicated mentorship from MELIC and domain experts
- Up to $100K in project-based funding
- Eligibility for MELIC Accelerator consideration
Program Focus
The program supports innovation in the areas most aligned with Mitsubishi Electric’s mission:
Mobility
Digital Transformation
Infrastructure
Sustainability
Supply Chain
Logistics
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the MELIC Accelerator Program, applicants must:
- Startup teams or internal project groups with an early-stage concept
- Founders seeking to validate their market, user, and product hypotheses
- Teams willing to commit full-time during the 3-month period
- Projects aligned with MELIC's strategic focus areas
- Participants who are open to coaching, iteration, and user feedback loops
Program Timeline
3-month Incubation Program helps early-stage teams validate problems, build prototypes, and develop business models through a structured, mentor-led process.
Timeline
Customer
Month 1, Month 2, Month 3
Recruit potential users, uncover and validate pain points, confirm global relevance, and develop storyboards and user personas.
Product
Month 2, Month 3
Design and build a prototype, select supporting technologies, conduct usability testing, define key features, and iterate based on feedback.
Business Model
Month 3
Develop your revenue model, estimate market size (TAM/SAM/SOM), map the customer journey, build a go-to-market roadmap, identify stakeholders, and prepare your pitch for MELIC Accelerator Program.
What We're Look For
At MELIC, we evaluate every submission using a structured innovation framework to ensure strong alignment with both market potential and our strategic goals. Understanding what we value will help you better prepare your application — and increase your chances of progressing through our programs. Startups that meet these benchmarks will be better positioned for acceptance into our program and long-term success.
We assess early-stage ventures across seven dimensions:
Desirability
Is there a clear and validated customer pain point? Does the market truly need this?
Feasibility
Can the solution be built with current tech? Are the technical risks manageable?
Viability
Is the business model sound? Are there scalable revenue opportunities?
Suitability
Is the solution aligned with Mitsubishi Electric's strategic focus and capabilities?
Capability
Can the team deliver? Do they have the right mix of skills, passion, and mindset?
Protectability
Is there a defensible advantage? IP, trade secrets, or switching cost for competitors?
Overall Fit
Does this opportunity make strategic and operational sense within our venture portfolio?