Pitch ContestTech Osaka Award 2027

Your Stage to Take on
the World Starts Here

PITCH CONTEST:
CALL FOR ENTRIES

Turn bold ambitions into
global growth.
We are now calling for startups aiming for global expansion.

Scale proprietary technology and business models into the next phase of growth.

The Tech Osaka Summit 2027 Pitch Contest brings together diverse key players—from startups, major corporations, and investors to universities, research institutions, government agencies, and support organizations.
Broadcast your vision and business to the world through a public pitch in English.
Forge transformative connections
that unlock new possibilities
—from fundraising and co-creation to strategic partnerships and global expansion.

The Final Pitch brings together qualified startups from the domestic selection process alongside winners of international preliminary rounds. Competing under unified evaluation criteria, participants will inspire one another while expanding opportunities for global business development.

ENTRYApply for Pitch Contest

From This Stage to the Next Phase of Growth

Awards & Support

GRAND PRIZE

JPY 2,000,000

EXCELLENCE
AWARD

JPY 500,000

In addition to the prize money, award winners will be eligible for various forms of support designed to accelerate their business growth. ※Both startups selected through this application process and those advancing through the overseas preliminary rounds will be equally eligible for consideration.
※Further details will be announced at a later date.

Opportunity to participate in an Osaka Innovation Hub global expansion support program (tentative)

Various benefits provided by sponsors and partner companies (tentative)

Opportunity to exhibit at a booth at Tech Osaka Summit 2027

Overview

Participation Fee

Free

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
・Operate a business in one of the following fields: Bio & Life Sciences / Healthcare, Green Tech, or Digital
・Be at the seed to early stage
・Have been founded within the past 10 years
・Be aiming for global expansion
・Have a unique technology, service, or business model
・For startups based outside Japan, have a track record of, or intention to, expand their business or establish a presence in Japan or the Kansai region
・Be able to deliver a pitch and participate in Q&A in English
・Be able to attend and pitch in person at the Final Round on Wednesday, January 27, 2027 (JST)

※Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted, and selected startups will advance to the Final Round. As a general rule, withdrawal after being selected as a finalist will not be accepted. Please keep this in mind before applying.

Finals
(Public Pitch)

January 27, 2027 (Wed) (tentative)

Language

English
※ This applies to all pitch materials, presentations, and Q&A sessions with the judges.

Selection Process

  • First Round: Application Review

    ・Review: Applications will be evaluated based on the information provided in the application form and the submitted pitch deck.
    ・Applicants are expected to be notified of the results on Friday, November 6, 2026.

  • Second Round: Online Interview (in English)

    ・Online interviews will be conducted between Monday, November 9 and Friday, November 20, 2026. Details regarding the interview schedule will be announced on the official website and other channels once confirmed.
    ・Format: 3-minute pitch + 3-minute Q&A
    ・Up to nine startups will be selected through this application process to advance to the Final Round. In addition to these selected startups, startups that advance through the overseas preliminary rounds will also compete in the Final Round.
    ・Applicants are expected to be notified of the results on Monday, November 30, 2026.

  • Final Round

    ・A public pitch competition will be held at the event venue on Wednesday, January 27, 2027.
    ・Format: 4-minute pitch + 4-minute Q&A
    ・All finalists will be evaluated according to the same judging criteria, and the award winners will be selected based on these criteria.

Judges & Evaluation Criteria

  • Ryutaro (Ryan) Nakata

    General Manager Japan
    Alumni Ventures

  • Coming soon
  • Coming soon

※ Additional judges will be announced in due course. Stay tuned!

  • Novelty & Innovation
  • Market Viability
    & Growth
  • Global Scalability

Guidelines

Please refer to the Application Guidelines for complete details regarding eligibility criteria, selection procedures, terms, and important notices.

Download Application Guidelines

Take your business to
the global stage.

ENTRYApply for Pitch Contest

【Contact Information】

Tech Osaka Award 2027 Pitch Competition Secretariat
(Contracted Operator: Venture Café Tokyo)
E-mail: techosaka-award@venturecafetokyo.org