IVS2026, one of Japan's largest startup conferences, will be held for three days from Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 3, 2026, with Miyako Messe, ROHM Theatre Kyoto, and Hotel Okura Kyoto as the main venues. Due to popular demand, the free referral ticket campaign has ended with the distribution of the first 6,000 tickets *1. From now on, only those with a referral code (invitation number) can purchase IVS PASS at a discounted price.

Due to popular demand, the free campaign has ended

Referral tickets are a way to invite your trusted friends and participate in IVS together. One person invites the next, and that person invites someone else. As this chain expanded, all of the free tickets we prepared have been distributed.

Although the distribution of free slots has ended, the referral chain itself continues. Participation using referral codes can be tracked on the "IVS Family Tree" in the participant platform "4S (Force)," and new family members are still joining every day. Furthermore, participants who branched out from the same family tree are connecting and already starting to interact before even meeting in person at the venue.

Participants of IVS can view not only their own family tree but also anyone else's IVS family tree through 4S.

From now on, you can participate at a discounted price with a referral code

Those who have a referral code can purchase IVS PASS at a discounted price. The earlier you apply, the cheaper the price will be.

If you apply by Monday, June 22, you can participate at the most favorable rate of 9,800 yen (including tax). After that, the price will increase in stages, reaching 29,800 yen (including tax) starting on the first day of the conference, Wednesday, July 1. If you do not have a referral code, the regular sale price on the event day will be 39,800 yen (including tax), making purchases using referral codes cheaper at any sales window.

Future Free Offers

Furthermore, IVS2026 has no plan to offer more free IVS PASS tickets in future projects. The discounted price through a referral code is your best opportunity to purchase an IVS PASS at the lowest price. If you are undecided about participating, we recommend that you register early before the price goes up.

How Referral Tickets Work

Referral tickets work on the official IVS participant platform "4S (Force)". Those who receive a referral code will be issued a code that allows them to invite up to 2 people.

Receive an invitation → Participate → Introduce someone yourself

That is the system of the referral ticket. You can track who invited whom in the "IVS Family Tree" (referral graph) on 4S.

Notes

• Each person can introduce up to 2 other people.

• Those who purchased PASS through regular sales will not be granted referral rights.

• Even if you obtain a referral code after purchasing a PASS, you cannot convert it to a referral ticket.

• The regular sales price is the price on the day of IVS, which is higher than the discounted price of the referral ticket.

• The "Referral Ticket" system applies to IVS PASS. CORE PASS is invitation-only, and is therefore excluded from the referral ticket system.

IVS2026 Overview

IVS is Japan's largest startup conference that started in 2007. Startups, investors, major corporations, and creators from Japan and abroad will gather together in Kyoto under the theme "Japan is Back" in 2026.

This year, we have introduced a newly established two-area venue format: the "IVS" area (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe" and "ROHM Theatre Kyoto"), which is the culmination of evolving IVS2023, IVS2024, and IVS2025 previously held in Kyoto; and the "IVS CORE" area (Hotel Okura Kyoto), an invitation-only IVS for the Reiwa era.

【IVS ("Miyako Messe" / "ROHM Theatre Kyoto")】

Startup founders and staff, business corporations, investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, supporters, government officials, research institutions, and students. This area is open to everyone who will create the next generation. It features stage sessions, the startup exhibition "Startup Market," and IVS's flagship pitch event "IVS LAUNCHPAD".

【IVS CORE (Hotel Okura Kyoto)】*Newly established / Invitation-only

An exclusive, invitation-only area reserved for decision-makers such as startup executives, institutional investors, corporate executives, and government and policy officials. We provide a space where actual decisions are made, including completely off-the-record sessions, power matching among decision-makers, and M&A matching.

An access pass is required to participate in IVS2026. There are two types: the "IVS PASS" which grants entry to the IVS area, and the completely invitation-only "CORE PASS" which grants entry to the IVS CORE area. CORE PASS is subject to a screening process and can only be purchased by those invited.

Name: IVS2026
Theme: Japan is Back
Dates: Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 3, 2026
Venue: Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe", ROHM Theatre Kyoto, Hotel Okura Kyoto, etc.
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

Jointly established by Headline Japan, Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, and Kyoto City on the occasion of holding IVS in Kyoto, with the aim of further developing the startup ecosystem and promoting regional industry. We will foster the fusion of startups with enterprises, universities, research institutions, and cultural resources accumulated in Kyoto, leading to the creation of new industries and the development of world-class startup companies.

Member Organizations: Headline Japan Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City