OIH Members-Only Event

Your startup starts here. A practice pitch session to sharpen your pitch until it gets your message across!
OIH Pitch for Starters is a pitch event open to OIH startup members.
The popular STARTERS PITCH has been renewed!
A pitch: a short, clear presentation of what makes your business compelling.
From pitching to investors to raise funds to presenting at business plan contests to make your service known, pitching is something every entrepreneur has to do.
This program focuses on two points:
- Refining your business plan
- Presentation skills that get your message across and win people over
You receive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, investors (VCs), and others, and can sharpen both your pitch and your business plan.
For each session, we invite experienced entrepreneurs, specialists, and VCs suited to the participants’ fields and stages, and they give feedback on the spot. It is ideal for first-time pitchers, as well as for anyone with a VC meeting coming up or planning to enter a business plan contest!
Past presenters are very welcome to take part again!
Use it as many times as you like to refine your pitch for whatever goal you have at the time.
If this is your first pitch, don’t worry: we will send you a how-to video in advance that clearly explains what a pitch is and how to build one. We look forward to your challenge!
Recommended for:
- Anyone who wants advice from VCs and experienced entrepreneurs
- Anyone who wants to consult on fundraising or refine a business idea
- Anyone who wants to learn industry expertise and know-how in areas such as PR and team building
- Anyone who wants to strengthen a pitch for a business contest or demo day
If you will be pitching at our partner program OIH Pitch, please also use this program to practice before you take the stage!
*Participation for sales purposes is not permitted.
*Partner membership registration may be required to take part in individual matching.
*For details on OIH membership, see here.
Overview
| Eligibility | • OIH startup members *If you are not yet registered, please first apply using the startup membership application form. • Anyone with pitch materials they want to refine |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Fourth Thursday of every month (some dates may change) |
| Time | 18:00-20:00 |
| Venue | Mainly online (Zoom) *This is a closed program that is not open to the public, with an emphasis on dialogue with mentors and interaction among participants. A few sessions are also planned to be held in person at Osaka Innovation Hub |
| Capacity | 3 presenters per session |
| Fee | Free |
Apply
Apply to Participate (Japanese form)
(opens an external site in a new tab)Steps Before the Day
First-time pitchers need not worry! Before the session, OIH staff provide one-on-one pitch training. If this is your first pitch, we will also send you a how-to video in advance that clearly explains what a pitch is and how to build one.
In the program, experienced entrepreneurs, specialists, and VCs with extensive business experience serve as mentors and give practical advice on your business ideas.
1. Apply for OIH Pitch for Starters
- Apply using the dedicated form
- Submit your pitch materials (first-time pitchers will receive the how-to video in advance)
2. Pre-session interview
- Interview and pitch training with OIH staff (your current challenges, what you want to discuss, the points you want feedback on, and so on)
3. The OIH Pitch for Starters session
Timetable
| 18:00 | Opening |
|---|---|
| 18:10 | Pitches (5–7 minutes) × 3 presenters Feedback (20 minutes each) |
| 19:30 | Networking (group photo) |
| 20:00 | Close |
Dates
| Session 1 | Thursday, June 25 (online) |
|---|---|
| Session 2 | Thursday, July 23 |
| Session 3 | Thursday, August 27 |
| Session 4 | Thursday, September 24 |
| Session 5 | Thursday, October 22 (in collaboration with a co-hosted event) |
| Session 6 | Saturday, October 24 (in collaboration with a co-hosted event) |
| Session 7 | Thursday, November 26 |
| Session 8 | Thursday, December 24 |
| Session 9 | Thursday, January 28 |
| Session 10 | Thursday, February 25 |
Other Notes
- Sessions are recorded and will later be shared on YouTube with presenters only, so that you can review your own pitch and the mentors’ feedback as many times as you like.
- The program may be changed or canceled due to circumstances. Thank you for your understanding.
Voices of Past Participants
- Through feedback from experienced business owners and VCs, I came to understand more deeply not only the design of my service (who it is for, what it offers, and how) but also the importance of my own motivation and passion: who I am, why I am doing this, and what I want to achieve.
- There was plenty of time for feedback, so I could ask questions and share my own thinking. Getting feedback from VCs and mentors while still validating customer-problem fit (CPF) was extremely valuable, and I am truly grateful for it.
- All the feedback I received after my pitch made complete sense, and it was an intense, productive time that will help me refine my plan. The other presentations and the feedback on them were also very helpful, and I learned a great deal.
Event Reports
Contact
OIH Pitch for Starters Office, Osaka Innovation Hub
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30–17:30 (*excluding holidays and the New Year period)
Email: ohclub@innovation-osaka.jp


