Japan-Singapore Fast Track Pitch 2026 Launches
Overview
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and JETRO are running the Japan-ASEAN Co-Creation Fast Track Pitch Initiative to promote open innovation through collaboration between Japanese and ASEAN companies. In its fourth edition in 2026, the initiative will hold a deep-tech pitch in Singapore and an ASEAN-wide pitch in Thailand. For the Singapore event, proposals from companies worldwide are being sought to address challenges set by five challenge-owner companies. The deadline is November 16 at 11:59 p.m. Singapore time. The final pitch by selected finalists is scheduled to take place in Singapore on January 15, 2027.
Key points
- The call for proposals addressing challenges set by five companies has opened for the Singapore event.
- Proposals are due by November 16 at 11:59 p.m. Singapore time.
- The final pitch event is scheduled to take place in Singapore on January 15, 2027.
Overview
METI and JETRO launched the Japan-ASEAN Co-Creation Fast Track Pitch Initiative to mark the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation in 2023. Together with government-related organizations in ASEAN countries, they are promoting open innovation and co-creation among companies in Japan and ASEAN through the initiative.
The organizers report that more than 3,400 people from startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large companies, investors, and support organizations have taken part in previous pitch events, and that efforts toward collaboration between Japanese and ASEAN companies accelerated after the events.
Details
In its fourth edition in 2026, the initiative will hold an event focused on deep tech in Singapore and an ASEAN-wide event in Thailand. The Singapore event is the first installment of Japan-ASEAN Fast Track Pitch 2026. Challenge details were announced and proposals began to be accepted on October 19.
Five companies based in Singapore and working on open innovation—Nagase & Co., Rakuten Mobile, ROHM, ST Engineering, and Thales Group—are serving as challenge owners. They are inviting proposals from companies worldwide, including those in Japan and ASEAN, to address challenges they hope to solve through collaboration. Details of each challenge and application links are available in the materials and on JETRO’s dedicated website.
Proposals are due by November 16 at 11:59 p.m. Singapore time. The challenge-owner companies will review and select proposals. The finalists’ pitch event is scheduled for the afternoon of January 15, 2027, in Singapore. The venue is being arranged. The event will be held in person and online, in English, with free admission.
The co-organizers are METI, the Japan External Trade Organization, the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, Enterprise Singapore, and the Singapore Economic Development Board. Future event schedules will be announced on the METI and JETRO websites once decided.