Application guidelines
Global Startup EXPO 2026 (GSE2026) is a leading international deep tech event that focuses on “social implementation,” showcasing domestic and international deep tech startups to the world and connecting technology, capital, and markets to drive progress from demonstration to commercialization and then to industrialization.
On Wednesday, June 17, we will begin accepting applications from startups that wish to exhibit at the event. Eligible startups are highly encouraged to apply.
Benefits of exhibiting at the event
- Opportunity to exhibit at a booth within the GSE2026 event venue and showcase and introduce actual products
- New opportunities to connect with domestic and international investors, large corporations, local governments, etc.
- Smooth business meetings enabled by a matching system with mutual request functionality, alongside dedicated matching support from the secretariat
Event scale
GSE2026 is expected to feature booths from 150 startups and attract 5,000 participants from around the world.
Date
October 5 (Mon.), 6, (Tue.), and 7 (Wed.), 2026
Expected visitors
Domestic and international startups, operating businesses, universities/research institutions, VCs/investors, startup support organizations, etc.
Language used
English (main) / Japanese
Venue
- KNOWLEDGE CAPITAL Congrès Convention Center
- Congrès Square Grand Green Osaka
Booth exhibition fee
Usage fee: 300,000 yen (including consumption tax, use of the venue, basic frame, and equipment costs)
*However, if you meet the following two conditions and are approved by the organizer as eligible for exemption, the exhibition fee will be fully waived. In this case, there will be no exhibition fee.
- Meet all the conditions listed under “Application requirements.”
- Apply any of the following items:
- Selected as a J-Startup or a regional J-Startup
- Supported, selected, financially aided, or funded by public support organizations such as NEDO, JST, or AMED
- Supported, selected, funded, or commissioned by government agencies, local public bodies, or other similar public institutions
- Selected for gap funds or other commercialization support programs for research results
- Otherwise awarded, selected or supported for, or engaged in, activities recognized by the organizer as equivalent to the preceding items
*In principle, the achievements listed in each item must have been obtained within the past five years.
*There are restrictions on additional decorations and exhibits. Moreover, transportation costs, travel expenses to Japan (the venue), accommodation expenses, etc. shall be borne by the participant.
Booth exhibition period
Two days of October 6 (Tue.) – 7 (Wed.)
* Booth setup will be possible from around the evening of October 5 (Mon.). (Details will be provided in the exhibitor manual.)
Booth specifications
Prepared by the organizer
・Booth floor (W2000 mm x D1500 mm)
・Power supply
・1 table
・2 chairs
・Company nameplate
Bring your own or option
・Panel
・Monitor
・Exhibition stand
Booth layout
*The booth layout is subject to change.
Application requirements
- Promoting business as a startup in the deep tech sector within Japan
- Engaging in business aligned with the focus areas of GSE2026 (AI/advanced robotics, semiconductors/communications, quantum, bio-healthcare, space, fusion energy, and other growth sectors)
- Possessing a service or product that is ready for exhibition
- Aiming for overseas expansion or international collaboration
- Being available for exhibiting at a booth and business meetings in the venue throughout the two days of the exhibition period
- Being able to secure staff capable of conducting business meetings in English
- Agreeing to report exhibition results, business meeting status, matching results, and other matters requested by the organizer after the event by a deadline separately determined by the organizer
How to apply
Please submit your application via the application form by 23:59 on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Screening policy
The screening will be based primarily on the following points.
- Screening points
- Novelty of the business (possessing technologies or services that will contribute to solving social issues in areas such as deep tech, along with uniqueness and a competitive advantage in terms of technologies and business models)
- Growth potential (ability to achieve sustainable growth)
- Track record or potential for overseas expansion (strong willingness to expand overseas and collaborate with overseas companies and investors)
Companies that meet the following conditions will receive extra points in the screening process.
- Requirements for additional points in the screening process
- Selected as a J-Startup or a regional J-Startup
- Supported, selected, financially aided, or funded by public support organizations such as NEDO, JST, or AMED
- Supported, selected, funded, or commissioned by government agencies, local public bodies, or other similar public institutions
- Selected for gap funds or other commercialization support programs for research results
- Otherwise awarded, selected or supported for, or engaged in, activities recognized by the organizer as equivalent to the preceding items
*In principle, the achievements listed in the preceding items must have been obtained within the past five years.
In addition, even startups and universities that do not yet have services or products may be allowed to exhibit at a booth upon screening by the secretariat if they possess highly unique or competitive technology.
After submitting the application
After the screening, we will contact you with the results around early August 2026.
*Cancellation: In principle, cancellations will not be accepted after the notification of the screening results.
*We cannot answer any questions regarding the content of the screening, the screening process, or the reasons for the screening results.
Intellectual property rights and copyrights
All intellectual property rights and copyrights related to the application belong to the applicant.
For the selected exhibitors, the organizer may publish their company names, an overview of their business/exhibition content, and other information necessary to introduce them, on its website and other promotional materials.
*Not all information submitted through the application form will be made public.
Applicants are responsible for checking any relevant rights in advance and taking steps to protect them when applying for the exhibition. (The organizer and the secretariat will not be held responsible for any rights-related trouble.)
If there is any suspicion of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others, or if any infringement is discovered, the exhibit may be cancelled.
The ownership right of any photographs, videos, recordings, and the like taken during the event belongs 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 recording and publication of their images before participating in this event.
Personal information
For details on how personal information is handled, please refer to the privacy policy below.
Inquiries
Please direct inquiries to the following: