Where challengers gather and next steps begin.
Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH) is a startup support hub established by the City of Osaka and operated by the Osaka Business Development Agency.
Through events, acceleration programs, and connections with VCs, companies, and experts, we support startups as they take on challenges and grow, from founding and commercialization to fundraising, collaboration, and global expansion.
Building an Osaka where everyone supports those who take on challenges.
New businesses are not created by entrepreneurs alone. Experienced founders, companies, investors, universities and research institutions, experts, and supporters in Japan and around the world all play a part. OIH creates an environment where diverse people, knowledge, and opportunities come together around startups, and aims to build a startup ecosystem in which every challenge leads to the next stage of growth.
FEATURES
01
Support for Every Growth Stage
From preparing to launch to starting and growing a business, we offer acceleration programs, pitch events, mentoring, and more, tailored to each stage and challenge, to support startup growth on an ongoing basis.
02
Connections That Lead to Growth
We create touchpoints with a wide range of players, including VCs and financial institutions, large corporations, experienced founders, experts, universities and research institutions, and global partners, leading to the connections startups need to reach the next stage, from fundraising and collaboration to business development and global expansion.
03
A Place Where Challenges Happen Every Day
Join an event, get advice, work, or meet someone new. OIH is a physical hub that startups and aspiring entrepreneurs visit every day, turning new information and connections into their next action.
OIH in Numbers
As of the end of March 2024
01
Where New Challenges Begin
Many people visit OIH to find new information and make new connections.
Annual visitors
14,500
+
Events per year
200
+
02
Connect with People Who Support Your Challenge
Through touchpoints with diverse players, connect with the people and opportunities you need to grow your business.
Startup members
1,500
+
Partner members
550
+
03
Turning Challenges into Business Progress
New projects and businesses are born, leading to fundraising, collaboration, and overseas expansion.
Projects created
550
+
Total funds raised by supported companies
55
billion yen+
History
2013
Hack Osaka begins
Hack Osaka, an international innovation conference that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and others from Japan and abroad, begins, creating opportunities for global exchange and innovation.
2016
OSAP begins
The OIH Startup Acceleration Program (OSAP) begins, supporting startups’ business growth through collaboration with experienced founders, venture capital firms, large companies, and others.
2019
Osaka Startup Ecosystem Consortium is founded
Government, the business community, universities, support organizations, and others work together to build Osaka’s startup ecosystem, with the Osaka Business Development Agency serving as the secretariat.
2022
KSAC initiative begins
Universities, industry, financial institutions, local governments, and others work together to support the creation and growth of university-launched startups, with the Osaka Business Development Agency serving as the secretariat.
KIDOU begins
KIDOU, a Kansai startup incubation program, begins, supporting startups’ commercialization and growth through business funding and hands-on support from experts.
2023
HeCNOS AWARD begins
HeCNOS AWARD begins, supporting startups and others in the healthcare and carbon-neutral fields with an eye to exhibiting at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and to real-world implementation beyond it.
2025
Showcasing startups’ challenges at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Startups and others supported through HeCNOS AWARD exhibit and present their products and services at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Tech Osaka Summit begins
Building on Hack Osaka, Tech Osaka Summit is held, growing into an event that brings together startups, investors, companies, and others from Japan and abroad.
Global Startup EXPO 2025 held in Osaka
Global Startup EXPO, which brings together startups, investors, companies, and others from Japan and abroad, is held in Osaka.
2026
Global Startup EXPO 2026 to be held in Osaka
Following 2025, Global Startup EXPO is scheduled to be held in Osaka again, with the Osaka Business Development Agency taking part as a member of the executive committee.
Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH) is renewed
OIH is renewed to become a hub where startups and the people who support their challenges can gather, connect, and grow even more.
Overview
| Name | Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH) |
|---|---|
| Operated by | Osaka Business Development Agency |
| Address | 7th Floor, Knowledge Capital Tower C, Grand Front Osaka North Building, 3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011, Japan |
| Phone | +81-6-6359-3004 |
| Opening hours | Weekdays 10:00–21:00 Weekends and holidays 10:00–18:00 |
| Inquiry hours | 9:30–17:30 (Weekdays only; closed on weekends and holidays) |
NEXT STEP
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