Global Startup EXPO 2026 Set to Connect Overseas Investors with Japanese Startups

TOKYO, Sept. 14, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is set to host the Global Startup EXPO 2026, a three-day event scheduled from October 5 to 7 in Osaka, Japan. This event aims to provide overseas venture capital firms with direct access to Japan’s startup and investment ecosystem, marking a significant step in international collaboration and investment.

The goal is to facilitate valuable connections that can lead to actionable opportunities for investment, partnership, and industrial growth.

The event goes beyond a traditional exhibition, offering a comprehensive platform for social implementation and industrialization of innovation, particularly in deep tech. METI emphasizes that capital is crucial, but lasting impact requires technologies and products to reach markets, generate economic value, and grow into sustainable industries.

For global investors, the Global Startup EXPO 2026 presents a unique opportunity to engage with Japan’s investment network and promising startups. METI highlights that the event includes companies from its flagship J-Startup program and National Startup Award (NSA) awardees. The program is structured in three stages: discovering global trends and emerging technologies, engaging with startups, investors, corporations, policymakers, and other ecosystem participants, and building toward concrete action through business discussions, investor matchmaking, partnerships, and real-world implementation.

Leading global investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (U.S.), New Enterprise Associates (U.S.), and Atomico (U.K.), have confirmed their participation. Additional prominent speakers and participants from Japan and around the world are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The event is designed to foster a collaborative environment where overseas investors can identify potential investments, co-investment partners, and industrial collaborations. METI believes that this event will not only strengthen the Japanese startup ecosystem but also provide a platform for international investors to explore new opportunities in Japan.

The Global Startup EXPO 2026 aims to bridge the gap between innovation and industry, ensuring that breakthrough technologies are transformed into viable and sustainable industries. With its focus on deep tech, the event is expected to attract a wide range of participants, including investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, all working towards the common goal of driving innovation and economic growth in Japan and beyond.