Application Guidelines for the Pitch Contest
“DeepTech Frontier Challenge 2026”
For this pitch contest, we will be accepting applications from DeepTech startups from Japan and overseas that have innovative businesses and technologies rooted in research and development, and are aiming for social implementation and their business growth. We will give participating startups with the opportunity to present their visions for businesses based on cutting-edge technologies, including those originating from universities, and for solving social issues, to domestic and international investors, operating companies and local governments, and other stakeholders. Furthermore, we aim to promote the formation of networks that will lead to fundraising, business collaborations, and the creation of new demonstration opportunities, while also creating connections with diverse overseas ecosystems through the international platform of “Global Startup EXPO 2026” and globally disseminating the potential of their own technologies and businesses.
Date
Final: PM, Tuesday, October 6, 2026
* The duration of Global Startup EXPO 2026 is as follows:
Monday, October 5 – Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Venue
4F Knowledge Theater, North Building, Grand Front Osaka (3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
Language
English * Materials, pitches, and communication will be premised on the use of English.
Application requirements
・ Must have products or services in the deeptech fields, primarily AI / advanced robotics,
semiconductors / communications, quantum mechanics, bio / healthcare, space, and fusion energy
・ Must be a company aiming for global expansion
・ Must be a seed-stage to mid-stage startup
・ Must be able to make a pitch and answer questions in English
* Allowed to project up to 10 slides. They must include the following items:
(1) Issues to be solved / market needs
(2) Services and products to be offered and target clients / customers
(3) Overview of the technological seeds
(4) Superiority of the products / services
(5) Target customers and market size
(6) Business model
(7) Business Plan (Financial Statement)
(8) Team structure
* If the applicant or those involved in the business plan have ties to anti-social forces, your application will be disqualified. If this is discovered after your company is selected, the selection will be revoked.
Prize money and extra benefits
・ Various awards will be established and presented.
*Details for prize money and extra benefits will be announced at a later date.
Entry period
Application period: For three weeks from Wednesday, June 24 to Friday, July 17, 2026
Entry method
Apply online
Flow after entry, selection process
① First-round screening:
• Selection method: Document screening based on application information and pitch materials
• No. of companies selected: Approx. 30 *including nominations from partner institutions
• Notification date (scheduled): Tuesday, August 4, 2026
② Second-round screening:
• Screening method: Online pitch judging (to be conducted via Zoom)
• Date and time: Either Thursday, August 20 or Saturday, August 22, 2026 (Japan time)
• Judging time: 7 minutes for the pitch, 4 minutes for Q&A
• No. of companies selected: Approx. 15
• Notification date (scheduled): Tuesday, September 1, 2026
③ Final round
• Selection method: Judging through a pitch contest within GSE.
• Date and time: PM, Tuesday, October 6, 2026
• Judging time: 7 minutes for the pitch, 4 minutes for Q&A
* Information on the companies selected for the final round and the judges will be released around mid-September.
Selection criteria
We will evaluate your applications based on the following criteria, using the pitch materials you have submitted.
- Technological innovation and superiority
- Marketability and global expansion potential
- Social impact and vision
- Business model and growth strategy
* In the pitch judging, in addition to the above items, “presentation skills and communication skills” will also be evaluated and judged.
Travel expenses to the venue and accommodation expenses
Borne by the applicant
Regarding intellectual property rights and copyrights
- All intellectual property rights and copyrights pertaining to the application belong to the applicant, but the application details and the applicant’s name and affiliation will be made public on the website and other platforms at the discretion of the Management Office.
- When applying, applicants are responsible for checking their rights and other related matters beforehand and carrying out protection procedures. (For any rights-related problems, the organizer or the Management Office assumes no responsibility whatsoever.)
- If there is any suspicion of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others or if any infringement is discovered, the award, etc. may be revoked.
Regarding portrait rights
The ownership rights of any photographs, videos, records, and the like taken during this event belong to the organizer and may be published on its website and in other media, such as newspapers, magazines, and television. Participants must consent to the photographing and publication of their images before participating in this event.