This year's theme is "Practical Utility." Introducing "KYOTO ZONE," where Kyoto's deep tech converges #IVS2026
Hello. I'm Nagare, in charge of PR for IVS2026.
At IVS2026, the "KYOTO ZONE", named after the host city Kyoto, will be established.
The KYOTO ZONE is an area where representing companies, universities, and financial institutions of Kyoto gather to showcase Kyoto as a deep tech hub.
Deep tech refers to scientific discoveries and revolutionary technologies that solve social issues and have a significant impact on our daily lives and society. In Kyoto, centered around Kyoto University, many university-launched startups born from university research seeds with an eye on global expansion are growing. In this article, we will introduce the KYOTO ZONE, where the presentation of deep tech is one of its appeals.
This Year's Theme is "Practical Benefits"
This is the fourth year that IVS is being held in Kyoto. Over the past three years, IVS has inspired more people to visit Kyoto and gain interest in Kyoto's startup ecosystem. Many new connections have also been born.
Building on that, we are taking one step further this year. How much practical benefit can Kyoto's startups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, researchers, and universities gain through IVS? We have designed the "KYOTO ZONE" focusing on that goal. Instead of sessions where people just listen, or poster exhibitions where they just look, we aim for a place where people can touch the products, generating opportunities for business deals and co-creation on the spot.
The Three Pillars of "KYOTO ZONE"
1. Understanding the Source of Deep Tech
In collaboration with Kyoto University Innovation Capital, which supports startups that utilize the advanced research results of Kyoto University and other national universities, we have prepared sessions that convey the strength of Kyoto's research foundation, such as management strategies aiming for global expansion of deep tech startups from Kyoto, a "Shibuya vs. Kyoto" debate comparing the ecosystems of the east and west, and a reverse pitch called "Kyoto, the Capital of Ventures" where large corporations throw challenges at startups.
2. Matching Large Enterprises with Startups
The "Kyoto Qualia Forum", whose members include Shimadzu Corporation and SCREEN Holdings, as well as Kyocera, Sanyo Chemical Industries, Horiba, and Murata Manufacturing, among others, is also participating. Through this reverse pitch, we will create opportunities for large companies accumulated in Kyoto to meet domestic and overseas startups. We also plan sessions that delve into which capital to partner with and which exit to aim for, such as "Growth Capital Strategies for Globally Competitive Deep Tech".
3. Prototyping and Manufacturing Partnerships with SMEs
One of Kyoto's greatest strengths is its concentration of manufacturing SMEs with high technological capabilities. "Kyoto Shisaku Net", a group made up of these manufacturers, will participate to support the prototyping and manufacturing collaborations of deep tech startups. Under the theme of "Overcoming the Death Valley through Kyoto's Fastest Prototyping", we will introduce collaboration models that connect research seeds to productization and mass production.
From Uzumasa, the Birthplace of Movies, Comes the Content Industry Too
Kyoto's strength is not limited to manufacturing. Content industries such as movies, anime, and games are also fields that Kyoto boasts to the world. Researching the 100th anniversary of Uzumasa, the birthplace of movies associated with Toei and Shochiku, there will be a special pitch contest combining the content industry with advanced technology held this year. Startups working to advance and improve the efficiency of content production using AI and other technologies will gather.
Summary
The "KYOTO ZONE" brings together large enterprises, SMEs, startups, universities, financial institutions, and support organizations, who are all players building the Kyoto startup ecosystem. Those who wish to connect with large corporations, those looking for prototyping partners, or those seeking financial support; we have built this to ensure everyone can meet partners who fit their objectives.
IVS2026 is not a place for just viewing exhibits, but a space where all participants can take home practical benefits. We are proceeding with preparations for "KYOTO ZONE" with this philosophy in mind.
The details of the sessions and the speakers will be announced sequentially on the official IVS2026 website as they are confirmed. If you are interested, please check it out.
See you there.
Participating Companies and Organizations
Bank of Kyoto, Kyoto Capital Partners, Community Bank Kyoto Shinkin, Kyoshin Social Capital, Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank, Chushin Venture Capital, Kyoto Qualia Forum (Kyocera, Sanyo Chemical Industries, Shimadzu Corporation, SCREEN Holdings, NISSHA, Horiba, Murata Machinery, Murata Manufacturing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto Prefectural University, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University), Kyoto Shisaku Net, Kyoto University Innovation Capital, Shimadzu Corporation, SCREEN Holdings, Strike, TMI Associates, Nichicon, Nomura Securities, Kyoto University, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, etc.
