The IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Headline Japan Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City) will host "IVS2026," Japan's largest startup conference, over a three-day period from July 1 (Wednesday) to July 3 (Friday), 2026. The main venues will be the Kyoto International Exhibition Hall "Miyako Messe" and the Rohm Theatre Kyoto.
We are pleased to announce that the 15 finalist companies for the pitch event "IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD," one of the main highlights of this event, have been selected.
"IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD" is a startup pitch contest that has attracted attention both within Japan and globally, where companies with innovative technologies and services gather to compete with their business plans. Since its inception in 2007, it has produced numerous unicorn and exited companies.
This year, from among more than 500 applicants (including approximately 20% from overseas), 15 carefully selected companies advanced to the finals after document screening and multiple rounds of evaluation. The finals will be held on Friday, July 3, at the Rohm Theatre Kyoto Main Hall within "IVS2026."
The event will also be streamed live on YouTube LIVE. We invite you to watch this high-heated presentation.
IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD Event Overview
Name: IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD
Date and Time: Friday, July 3, 2026, 10:00–13:00
Venue: Rohm Theatre Kyoto Main Hall
Organizer: IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Headline Japan / Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City)
Official Website: https://www.ivs.events/ja/ivs2026-launchpad
YouTube LIVE URL: https://youtube.com/live/MpGku8K1Vzw?feature=share
About IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD
As its name suggests, IVS LAUNCHPAD is a pitch event launched with the desire to "become a launchpad supporting the breakthrough of early-stage startups that have not yet emerged in the world."
It was first held in 2007, and 2026 marks its 20th year. To date, the cumulative number of entries exceeds 5,000. Among the companies that have pitched in the past, more than 60 have achieved an exit, and over 100 have raised funds of 1 billion yen or more, achieving rapid growth. Many startups have taken off using IVS LAUNCHPAD as their launchpad. Having become one of the largest pitch events in Japan in terms of history and scale, IVS LAUNCHPAD is also referred to as the "gateway to success for next-generation entrepreneurs."
The finalists, chosen through a rigorous selection process, deliver presentations in front of judges selected from investors, executives, and entrepreneurs to compete for the rankings. Presenters who survived the competition among hundreds of applicants will pitch their products and their passion for them in a 6-minute presentation.
At IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD, in collaboration with Kyoto Prefecture, IVS will present the "Startup Kyoto International Award," an award designed to intensively support startups that triumph in global competition. As an award benefit, the winner will be presented with 10 million yen.
"IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD" Finalist Companies
"IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD" received over 500 applications (including approximately 20% from foreign companies). Here are the 15 companies selected as the finalists.
*Honorifics omitted, Japanese alphabetical order (Gojuon)
Akari Guarantee Co., Ltd.
Turning individuals' "anxiety" into "peace of mind"! The attorney-operated identity guarantee service "Akari Hosho"
https://www.akarihosho.jp/
Yuki Shimizu
inprog Inc.
"CleanK" - A toilet cleaning robot that scrubs even under the toilet bowl rim
https://www.cleank.space/ja/
Naoto Munekiyo
UMIAILE Inc.
The altitude 0m satellite "UMIAILE"
https://umiaile.com/
Ryosuke Itai
Elith Inc.
A tech company that safely deploys corporate AI utilization into society with AI security and AI safety
https://www.elith.ai/
Motoki Inoue
Satelyx
Shared IOD missions that turn space innovations into flight-proven sovereign capabilities, faster, cheaper, and at scale.
https://satelyx.com/
Clement Chen
zooba Inc.
Information Systems AI "zooba" that strengthens Japanese IT departments
https://www.zooba.ai/
Ayane Nawa
Space Quarters Co., Ltd.
Space Construction Industry - Robot System "DAIQ"
https://space-quarters.com/
Munenori Takahashi
ZetaX Inc.
Opening up the future of manufacturing with Edge AI
https://zetax.jp/
Akira Sato / Kyosuke Yanagisawa
TAIAN Inc.
Taking on the world in the 460-trillion yen "celebration" market with "TAIAN"
https://taian-inc.com/
Mariko Murata
tamateco Inc.
Expanding IP to the world. Next-generation entertainment and shopping created by Japan's capsule toy culture.
https://tamate.co/
Ippei Matsui
Tofuchan
Tofuchan is the physical collectible AI companion for kidults.
tofuchan.io
Genya Smagin
HiStranger
HiStranger — building emotional data infrastructure for AI: 94%-accurate emotion recognition from EEG, pulse, facial expression, and eye-tracking, enabling AI agents, robotics, mobility, and healthcare.
http://insightflow-ai.com/
Cammie KIM
MUSE Inc.
The multi-use robotics platform "Armo" for retail stores
https://www.muse-gr.com/
Yasutaka Kasagi
Ryp Labs
Ryp Labs developed StixFresh, a biomimicry-based food-safe sticker you simply peel and apply to fresh produce to double its shelf life.
https://ryplabs.com/
Moody Soliman
Robotruck Co., Ltd.
Unmanned autonomous driving system for trucks
https://robotruck.jp/
Yusuke Haga
Overview of IVS2026
IVS is Japan's largest startup conference that began in 2007. Startups, investors, large corporations, creators, and others from Japan and abroad will gather under the theme "Japan is Back" in Kyoto in 2026.
This year, we will establish two areas: 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 new invitation-only "IVS CORE" area (Hotel Okura Kyoto)—the Reiwa version of the traditional IVS.
【IVS ("Miyako Messe" / "Rohm Theatre Kyoto")】
This area is open to everyone involved in creating the next generation: startup affiliates, business corporations, investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, supporters, government officials, research institutions, and students. It features stage sessions, the startup exhibition "Startup Market," and the flagship pitch event "IVS LAUNCHPAD."
【IVS CORE (Hotel Okura Kyoto)】*New / Invitation-Only
This is a completely invitation-only area where only decision-makers—such as startup founders, institutional investors, executives of large businesses, and government/policy officials—participate. It provides a venue where concrete decisions are made, showcasing 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 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 a screening process and is available for purchase by invitees only.
Name: IVS2026
Theme: Japan is Back
Dates: July 1 (Wednesday) – 3 (Friday), 2026
Venues: 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 Site: https://www.ivs.events/
Official X: https://x.com/IVS_Official
About the IVS KYOTO Executive Committee
To host IVS in Kyoto, Headline Japan Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, and Kyoto City jointly established the committee to further develop the startup ecosystem and promote local industry. By facilitating the convergence of Kyoto's concentrated companies, universities/research institutions, and cultural resources with startups, we aim to create new industries and foster world-class startup companies.
Member Organizations: Headline Japan Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City