The country's largest startup conference, "IVS2026," will be held for three days from July 1 (Wednesday) to July 3 (Friday), 2026, with Miyako Messe, ROHM Theatre Kyoto, and Hotel Okura Kyoto as the main venues. We are pleased to announce the second round of featured sessions to be held at IVS (Miyako Messe, ROHM Theatre Kyoto). The featured sessions for IVS CORE will be announced separately.
With the theme "Japan is Back," IVS2026 is designed to thoroughly pursue "height" and prove the true value of Japanese startups to the world over the three days. In this release, as the second round, we introduce the featured sessions where leading entrepreneurs, investors, business executives, and policy makers will take the stage.
Wednesday, July 1
OPENING SESSION: Japan is Back: How to Turn Nobel Prize-Class Discoveries into Industry — The Frontier Opened by Susumu Kitagawa and the Future of Deep Tech Investment
Nobel Prize-class scientific discoveries not only advance human knowledge but also hold great potential for solving social issues such as decarbonization and new energy. However, delivering that value to society requires industrialization support from a perspective different from research. This session focuses on "PCP/MOF" by Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, illustrating the process of advanced research moving towards social implementation through startups. It will explore how to overcome the "valley of death in deep tech" where research, entrepreneurship, investment, and administration intersect, presenting the possibilities of Japanese innovation and the trend of "Japan is Back."
Speakers:
Mr. Kazutaka Muraguchi (Representative, Japan Technology Venture Partners Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Susumu Kitagawa (Executive Director (Research Promotion), Vice President, and Distinguished Professor, Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study)
Mr. Takatoshi Nishiwaki (Governor of Kyoto Prefecture)
Mr. Daisuke Asari (Representative Director and CEO, Atomis Inc.)
AI and On-Chain Finance Opening Up the National Startup Strategy from Japan
AI, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and on-chain payments are not only changing the way finance works but are also redefining industrial competitiveness and the structure of capital markets. This session comprehensively discusses regulatory design, the transformation of financial institutions, the challenges of startups, and the connection with capital markets. What is needed for Japan to achieve both the reliability of existing finance and the reformative nature of new technologies to build a next-generation financial ecosystem? We will explore social implementation through public-private partnerships and the winning formula for Japan-born startups.
Speakers:
Mr. Rei Matsukura (Director and CEO, AVILEN, Inc.)
Mr. Seiji Kihara (Member of the House of Representatives, Secretary-General of the Japan Growth Strategy Headquarters, Liberal Democratic Party)
Mr. Noritaka Okabe (Representative Director, JPYC Inc.)
Mr. Tatsuya Saito (Representative Director, Progmat, Inc.)
The New Standard for Startup Entrepreneurs: Diversifying Entrepreneur Profiles and Redefining Their Mindset
In recent years, the forms of startups have diversified significantly. The meaning of the word "entrepreneur" continues to expand, encompassing not only SaaS-type, scale-oriented entrepreneurs, but also social implementation types, R&D types, D2C/real industry-originated startups, and regional/primary industry players. This session welcomes four entrepreneurs who are driving businesses in different areas to return to fundamental questions such as "Why start a company?" and "What is your life theme?" while exploring the entrepreneur mindset and new standards required in the coming era.
Speakers:
Mr. Keisuke Tatsuoka (General Partner, ALPHA, Inc.)
Mr. Fumiyoshi Takahashi (Representative Director, concon, Inc.)
Mr. Reiji Kobayashi (Representative Director, HAKKI GROUP, inc.)
Mr. Shingo Yuhara (Representative Director and CEO, forest inc.)
Thursday, July 2
Is It True That Japan Is Not a Resource-Rich Country? Resource Acquisition Strategies in the Face of Geopolitical Risks
In these times of intensifying geopolitical risks where energy security becomes a nation's top priority, Japan is about to transform into a "nation that generates resources through technology." Under the objective of whether we can generate reproducibility that leverages Japanese character and strengths, how can we combine Japan's precise micro-technological capabilities with domestic resources to seize the "choking points" of the global supply chain and grasp opportunities? We will intensely debate this strategic roadmap.
Speakers:
Mr. Tatsuya Nakamura (Principal, Globis Capital Partners Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Naoya Kato (Representative Director, Enecoat Technologies Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Ryota Nomura (Representative, Quon Energy)
Mr. Takahisa Udaki (Director and COO, GeoDreams Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Mitsuo Shimofuji (Representative Director and CEO, ZettaJoule Inc.)
How Japanese Companies Will Fight in the Age of AI Agents
With generative AI and AI agents spreading rapidly, we examine how companies should evolve and compete in the future. This session brings together the Japan head of a US-born AI agent company founded by the Chairman of the Board of OpenAI, the Japanese internet giant DeNA which is betting its entire company on AI, and the AI head of a Japanese AI venture responsible for transforming large enterprises through social implementation, to discuss how startups, large enterprises, and governments should utilize AI.
Speakers:
Mr. Koki Tanaka (Associate, Incubate Fund Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Keita Morikawa (Co-Head of Agent Development, Sierra Technologies Japan)
Mr. Masaaichiro Sumiyoshi (General Manager, AI Innovation Business Division, DeNA Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Yasuyuki Hama (Group Executive Officer, General Manager of AI Platform Business Division, ExaWizards Inc.)
Why Aren't We Winning Globally? Seriously Thinking About the Obstacles to Japan's Entertainment Industry
While dynamic Japanese content such as anime, manga, games, and music enjoys global popularity, the reality is that foreign companies hold the initiative in terms of scale and profitability as an industry. There are also many structural issues hindering growth, such as IP rights structures, production systems, capital strength, and global expansion.
In this session, we will frankly discuss the reasons why Japan's entertainment industry fails to win globally. From the perspectives of IP business models, returns to creators, utilization of capital and technology, and global strategies, we will explore breakthroughs to develop Japanese content into a true global industry.
Speakers:
Mr. Shunsuke Oyu (Representative Director and CEO, AnotherBall Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Mark Mao (General Manager, Sales Planning & Business Development Division, Cover Corp.)
Mr. Yuto Sakata (Film Producer, STORY inc.)
Mr. Ryoichi Suzuki (Director of Creators' Lab, Fourth Business Division, and General Manager of Global Strategy Office, Kodansha Ltd.)
Friday, July 3
Beyond the "IPO Goal"——How to Build a Startup Market "Chosen by Shareholders"
In Japan's startup market, it has long been pointed out that IPOs are designed as an "exit" rather than a milestone for growth. What is needed to not only achieve high initial prices, funding amounts, and buzz at listing, but also to grow market capitalization post-listing, build trust with shareholders, and become a company continuously chosen by institutional and individual investors? Seriously addressing issues that have been pointed out, such as "IPO goals," "disregard for shareholders," "immature IR," and "management unable to explain cost of capital," capital market experts will discuss the conditions for a healthy startup market.
Speakers:
Mr. Hideto Fujino (Founder, Rheos Capital Works Inc. / Representative Director and Chairman, HEVN STAGE)
Mr. Shintaro Tabata (Activist Individual Investor / YouTuber)
Mr. Masayuki Mochida (Co-CEO at Mpathy / MD at Tybourne Capital)
Mr. Yusuke Asakura (Representative Partner, Animal Spirits)
"Will Partnering with Large Enterprises Really Help Us Grow?" 〜 The "Truth About Failures" and Conditions for "Growth-Oriented Alliances" Discussed by Companies with Different Assets 〜
Collaborating with large enterprises is not magic. There are conditions. What is the difference between a collaboration that failed to grow even after being selected, and one that seriously became a viable business? Key players who have stood at the forefront of startup co-creation utilizing different strengths and assets will thoroughly discuss "reproducible ways to grow" with absolute honesty, without hiding their failures.
Speakers:
Ms. Yuko Takeda (General Manager, SU Growth Strategy Department, Open Innovation Promotion Division, KDDI Corporation)
Mr. Tatsuya Takeda (General Manager, Seven Lab Division, Seven Bank, Ltd.)
Mr. Hiroki Kawame (Manager, DX Promotion Department and Urban Management Business Division, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.)
Mr. Masato Kunezaki (Managing Partner, Japan Airlines Ventures, Inc.)
How AI Coding Changes Product Development and Redesigning Engineer Organizations 〜 Destroy and Update the Common Sense of Development 〜
In an era where AI writes code, where does the essence of development remain? As the focus shifts from implementation to design, and further to value creation, how will the competitive advantage in product development change? We will discuss the core of the tectonic shift happening right now.
Speakers:
Mr. Mitsuhiro Suemoto (Executive Officer, Head of Findy Freelance Business Division, Findy Inc.)
Mr. Masataka Sato (Director and CTO, Findy Inc.)
Mr. Daichi Hiroki (Representative Director, Rector, Inc. / Author of "AI Agent: Machines Collaborating with Humanity")
Mr. Takayuki Okubo (Senior Executive Officer and CTO, NOT A HOTEL, Inc.)
Other Sessions
In addition to these, many other sessions are scheduled throughout the three days. Details and speakers for each session will be announced as they are finalized.
Overview of IVS2026
IVS is one of the largest startup conferences in Japan, which started in 2007. Startups, investors, large enterprises, and creators from Japan and abroad gather under one roof. In 2026, it will be held in Kyoto under the theme "Japan is Back."
This year will feature the "IVS" area (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe" and "ROHM Theatre Kyoto"), which is an evolved culmination of IVS2023, IVS2024, and IVS2025 held in Kyoto, and the newly established "IVS CORE" area (Hotel Okura Kyoto), an invitation-only, modern version of IVS. It will be held across these two areas.
【IVS ("Miyako Messe" & "ROHM Theatre Kyoto")】
This area is open to everyone creating the next generation: startup associates, operating companies, investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, supporters, government officials, research institutions, and students. It will host stage sessions, the startup exhibition "Startup Market," and IVS's signature pitch event, "IVS LAUNCHPAD."
【IVS CORE (Hotel Okura Kyoto)】*Newly Established / Invitation-Only
This is a completely invitation-only area where only decision-makers—such as startup founders, institutional investors, executives of major companies, and government/policy officials—participate. It provides a venue where concrete decisions are made, featuring off-the-record sessions, power matching between decision-makers, and M&A matching.
An access pass is required to participate in IVS2026. There are two types of passes: the "IVS PASS" to participate in the IVS area, and the invitation-only "CORE PASS" to participate in the IVS CORE area. The CORE PASS is subject to screening and can only be purchased by invitees.
Name: IVS2026
Theme: Japan is Back
Dates: July 1 (Wednesday) to 3 (Friday), 2026
Venues: Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe," ROHM Theatre Kyoto, Hotel Okura Kyoto, and others
Organizer: IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Headline Japan / Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City)
Official Website: https://www.ivs.events/
Official X: https://x.com/IVS_Official
About the IVS KYOTO Executive Committee
Established jointly by Headline Japan, Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, and Kyoto City, with the aim of hosting IVS in Kyoto to further develop the startup ecosystem and promote regional industries. It aims to integrate startups with businesses, universities, research institutions, and cultural resources accumulated in Kyoto, leading to the creation of new industries and the nurturing of world-class startups.
Member Organizations: Headline Japan, Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City