The IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Headline Japan, Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City) will host "IVS2026," Japan's largest startup conference, over three days from Wednesday, July 1st, to Friday, July 3rd, 2026. The main venues will be the Kyoto Municipal勧業館 "Miyako Messe" and the Rohm Theatre Kyoto.
In advance of the event, Headline Japan, Inc., Kyoto Prefecture, and Kyoto City, which make up the IVS KYOTO Executive Committee, held a joint press conference on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Kyoto Prefectural Government Office (Yabunouchi-cho, Shinmachi Nishi-iru, Shimod立売-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) to prepare for hosting the event.
From left: Governor Nishiwaki of Kyoto Prefecture, Mr. Shimakawa of Headline Japan, and Mayor Matsui of Kyoto City
The press conference was attended by Toshiaki Shimakawa, Chairman of the IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Representative Director of Headline Japan), Takatoshi Nishiwaki, Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, and Koji Matsui, Mayor of Kyoto City, who announced the outline of IVS2026, its key highlights, and the strengthening of collaboration with Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City.
◼︎ Comment from Toshiaki Shimakawa, Headline Japan
The theme for IVS2026 is "Japan is Back" — Proving the true value of Japanese startups to the world
First, Shimakawa, Representative Director of Headline Japan, Inc. and Chairman of the IVS KYOTO Executive Committee, gave a detailed explanation of the theme setting for "IVS2026," past achievements, and the background leading up to the event.
Shimakawa explained that IVS is entering its 20th year since the first event, making this the 33rd event overall. This is the 11th time the event is held in Kyoto, marking the fourth consecutive year of hosting in Kyoto since 2023. He also announced that in 2026, the event will be held in two areas: the "IVS" area, which has evolved from the IVS2023–2025 events held in Kyoto, and the invitation-only "IVS CORE" area.
This year's goals include achieving 10,000 attendees in the IVS area, 1,000 in the IVS CORE area, a 25% international attendee ratio, and participation from over 70 countries and regions worldwide. He expressed his intention to achieve these large-scale goals and to provide a venue that delivers both "discovery" and "practical benefits" for all participants.
Additionally, the theme for this year's IVS2026 was announced as "Japan is Back." Under this theme, through networking, the pitch contest "IVS LAUNCHPAD," the "IVS Startup Market" featuring over 300 exhibiting companies, various sessions, and a wide array of side events, the event aims to prove the true value of Japanese startups to the world while absorbing global trends, as explained in his remarks.
The "Referral Ticket" System that Connects Through Introductions
Furthermore, regarding the newly introduced referral ticket system, he explained that it is a system of connection where receiving an introduction leads to attending, which in turn leads to introducing someone else. He noted that by using the "IVS Family Tree," participants can visually capture the overall picture of their connections.
Invitation-Only Decision-Maker Area: IVS CORE
Regarding the newly established "IVS CORE," Shimakawa stated that it was set up as a closed, invitation-only area for decision-makers to serve as a "venue for deeper and more intensive discussions." He explained that in the IVS CORE area, all sessions will strictly prohibit recording, filming, and posting on social media, design-configured with 90-minute sessions to allow participants to "sit down and engage in thorough discussions."
"IVS CORE" Featured Sessions Announcement Release:
About Side Events
Next, Shimakawa explained side events, which are a group of events hosted by IVS participants during, before, and after the main IVS2026 period. He noted that hosts design the format and settings of side events independently, allowing for themes and interactions that cannot be covered in the main IVS program. Additionally, this year, in pursuit of high quality and synergy with IVS, the organization will start awarding the "IVS Certified Official Badge" to official side events certified in accordance with IVS operation standards, and list them on the ticket platform "4S (Force)." He also explained that official side events will in principle require an IVS ticket, creating a design that encourages participants to enjoy both side events and the main IVS event.
15 Finalist Companies for Japan's Largest Pitch Event "IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD" Finally Announced
At the press conference, the 15 finalist companies for "IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD," one of the flagship contents of IVS2026 and one of Japan's largest pitch events, were also announced. Chosen from over 500 applications (approximately 20% of which were from overseas companies), the 15 finalists will deliver passionate pitches at the Rohm Theatre Kyoto Main Hall on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Introduced as: "This is a pitch contest where finalists who survived the rigorous selection present their products and the passionate feelings behind them, condensed into 6 minutes, in front of judges selected from investors, business executives, and entrepreneurs, competing for the championship."
The total number of applications exceeded 500 companies, and the 15 companies that made it through the preliminary screening will take the stage as finalists.
The winner of the IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD will receive the "Startup Kyoto International Award" along with a runner-up prize of 10 million yen in business support funds. It was introduced as a resource that can be widely utilized for necessary expenses like business expansion.
Furthermore, regarding this year's finalists, he explained that the lineup is broad, covering not only the IT sector but also deep tech and companies aiming for global expansion. With the number of presenting companies from overseas reaching a record high, he noted that LAUNCHPAD is expanding not only as a stage for Japanese startups but also as a place where global startups aim to expand into the Japanese market, expressing his high expectations for the diverse and advanced finalists.
"IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD" Finalists
※Titles omitted, alphabetical order
AKARI Guarantee Co., Ltd. - Yuki Shimizu
inprog Inc. - Naoto Muneqiyo
UMIAILE Co., Ltd. - Ryosuke Itai
Elith, Inc. - Koki Inoue
Satelyx - Clement Chen
zooba, Inc. - Ayane Nawa
Space Quarters Co., Ltd. - Munenori Takahashi
ZetaX Co., Ltd. - Yo Sato / Kyosuke Yanagisawa
TAIAN Co., Ltd. - Mariko Murata
tamateco Co., Ltd. - Ippei Matsui
Tofuchan - Genya Smagin
HiStranger - Cammie KIM
MUSE Co., Ltd. - Yasutaka Kasagi
Ryp Labs - Moody Soliman
Robotrack Co., Ltd. - Yusuke Haga
"IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD" Finalists Announcement Release:
◼︎ Comment from Takatoshi Nishiwaki, Governor of Kyoto Prefecture
Reflecting on the 4th Year
Governor Nishiwaki mentioned that this year marks the fourth time hosting the event in Kyoto. Every year, over 10,000 people from Japan and abroad gather, and during the event, the entire city of Kyoto becomes a stage for exchange and challenge, with recognition spreading as a "place of encounter for startups."
He also shared that IVS does not stop at being a transient event but functions as an ecosystem even after it closes. For instance, collaboration has progressed between last year's "IVS LAUNCHPAD" winning companies and universities or companies within the prefecture, leading to actions linked to the social implementation of technology and business expansion with Kyoto as a hub.
Furthermore, triggered by the "IVS Youth" held last year, high school students within the prefecture have gone on to start businesses, indicating that seeds of new challenges are growing and leading to concrete results.
About "KYOTO ZONE"
He explained that "KYOTO ZONE" is a place where players building the ecosystem, such as Kyoto's representative companies, universities, and financial institutions, gather together. While experiencing the Kyoto startup ecosystem, participants can directly converse about business issues, technologies, and needs with various entities, including Japanese and international startups.
Moreover, he stated that he hopes to present Kyoto to domestic and international entrepreneurs and investors as a "deep tech hub," concentrating talent, capital, and technology from around the world, creating synergies through cooperation with companies in the prefecture, and aiming to produce next-generation startups that can compete globally.
◼︎ Comment from Koji Matsui, Mayor of Kyoto City
On This Year's Distinctive Side Events
Mayor Matsui of Kyoto City expressed his expectations that by deepening exchanges with Kyoto's companies, culture, and people through side events held in Kyoto City, IVS participants would connect their experiences to new challenges and value creation. He also introduced Kyoto City's initiatives at IVS and several side events to be held in various parts of Kyoto.
Particularly notable official side events hosted by Kyoto City include "NATURE POSITIVE NIGHT: Tasting Kyoto's Natural Capital and Zebra Management through the Five Senses" to be held on July 1st, and "Intersection of Tradition and Innovation: Business Succession Innovation meet up 2026 starting from Kyoto" to be held on July 3rd.
Mayor Matsui introduced Kyoto as a city like "Nukadoko" (fermented rice bran bed), which has always incorporated new things while layering a long history and culture. He expressed his thoughts of wanting to create new innovation from Kyoto to the world by having IVS participants blend with the city through side events in Kyoto, where universities, researchers, manufacturing companies, and cultural resources are concentrated.
Furthermore, regarding the construction of global connections, he spoke about how each of the initiatives, starting with IVS, contributes toward