Global Startup EXPO 2026 Held
Overview
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry held Global Startup EXPO 2026 in Osaka Prefecture, an event showcasing to the world the technologies and services of startups, particularly in deep tech. In addition to talks and discussions by prominent investors and researchers, startup exhibitions and pitches, the event featured business matching and side events to encourage new collaboration and investment opportunities.
Key points
- The event was held as a platform to showcase to the world the technologies and services of startups, particularly in deep tech.
- Investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers from Japan and abroad spoke at the event, while startups held exhibitions and pitches.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and others sent video messages conveying the government's initiatives and expectations for investment, and delivered closing remarks.
Overview
To create startups that grow significantly in Japan and abroad, it is considered important to globalize the startup ecosystem as a whole through overseas expansion and by attracting capital and talent from overseas. Deep tech startups have the potential to drive Japan's economic growth by solving social challenges through innovative technologies and creating new companies and industries.
Against this background, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry held Global Startup EXPO 2026 at venues including Umekita and Nakanoshima Cross in Osaka Prefecture.
Impact
The event encouraged new collaboration and investment opportunities among startups, investors, large companies, and universities through business matching and side events.
Details
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry organized the event in cooperation with an executive committee comprising local governments, universities, and business organizations in the Keihanshin region, as well as related organizations including the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, JETRO, NEDO, and the Future Medical Promotion Organization.
Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, Andy Rubin, co-founder of Android, Nobel laureates, and researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors from Japan and abroad spoke at the event and discussed the latest developments in deep tech and the growth of its ecosystem. Startups from Japan and abroad presented booth exhibits and pitches in fields including life sciences, quantum technology, fusion energy, telecommunications and semiconductors, AI and advanced robotics, and space.
On October 6, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke about expectations for startups to transform industry, and Deputy Minister of the Cabinet Office Tomu Tanigawa delivered remarks at the reception. At the opening, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a video message outlining government initiatives, including a fundamental strengthening of the SBIR program, and expressing expectations for active investment in Japan. On October 7, Minister in charge of Startups Kiuchi delivered closing remarks by video message.