The domestic's largest startup conference, "IVS2026," 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. The free campaign for referral tickets introduced this year has ended upon reaching the distribution of the first 6,000 tickets ※1 due to its high popularity. Going forward, only those who have a referral code (invitation number) can purchase the IVS PASS at a discounted price.

Due to popular demand, the free campaign distribution has ended

The referral ticket is a system that allows you to invite reliable friends to participate in IVS together. One person invites the next person, and that person invites someone else. As this chain expanded, all of the prepared free slots were fully distributed.

Although the distribution of free slots has ended, the chain of referrals itself continues. Participation using referral codes can be tracked on the "IVS Family Tree" of the participant platform "4S (Force)," and new family members are still being added daily. Furthermore, participants who branched out from the same family tree are connecting before even meeting at the venue, and interactions have already begun to take place.

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

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

Those who have a referral code can purchase the 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 advantageous price of 9,800 yen (tax included). After that, the price will rise in stages, and on the first day of the event, Wednesday, July 1, the price will be 29,800 yen (tax included). If you do not have a referral code, the general selling price on the day is 39,800 yen (tax included); in any period, buying through a referral code is cheaper.

Regarding future free offers

In addition, there are no future plans to offer IVS PASS for free at IVS2026. The discount price. with a referral code will be the opportunity to purchase your IVS PASS at the lowest price. If you are hesitant about participating, we recommend registered early, before the price increases.

How the Referral Ticket Works

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 themselves.

Get introduced → Participate → Introduce someone yourself

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

Notes

• The number of people you can introduce is limited to 2 per person

• Those who purchase a PASS through general 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 general sale 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. The CORE PASS is on an invitation-only basis and is not eligible for the referral ticket system

IVS2026 Overview

IVS is the nation's largest startup conference that began in 2007. Domestic and international startups, investors, major enterprises, creators, etc., will assemble together, and in 2026, the event will be held in Kyoto under the theme "Japan is Back."

This year, we will newly establish the "IVS" area (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe" and "ROHM Theatre Kyoto"), which is an evolution and compilation of IVS2023, IVS2024, and IVS2025 held in Kyoto, and the "IVS CORE" area (Hotel Okura Kyoto), a Reiwa version of invitation-only IVS. The event will be held in these two areas.

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

Startup affiliates, operating companies, investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, supporters, governments, research institutions, and students. This area is open to everyone who creates the next generation. We will hold stage sessions, the startup exhibition "Startup Market," and IVS's flagship 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 executives, institutional investors, executives of major companies, and government/policy affiliates participate. We will provide a place where actual decision-making moves, such as 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," which allows you to participate in the IVS area, and the completely invitation-only "CORE PASS," which allows you to participate in the IVS CORE area. The CORE PASS is a screening-based PASS, and only invitees can purchase it.

Name: IVS2026
Theme: Japan is Back
Dates: Wednesday, July 1 to Friday, July 3, 2026
Location: 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 IVS KYOTO Executive Committee

Jointly established by Headline Japan Co., Ltd., Kyoto Prefecture, and Kyoto City on the occasion of holding IVS in Kyoto with the aim of further developing the startup ecosystem and further promoting local industry. We will promote the integration of startups with companies, universities/research institutions, cultural resources, etc., accumulated in Kyoto, leading to the creation of new industries and the spawning of startups capable of competing on the global stage.

Constituent organizations: Headline Japan Co., Ltd., Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City