MiraIno Pitch 2026: Launchpad for Student and Entrepreneurial Talent Announced – Call for Business Plans Leveraging ICT Technologies like AI, Robotics, and Apps to Transform Society

In recent years, entrepreneurship in the field of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), driven by rapid advancements in digital technologies such as AI and IoT, has gained increasing attention. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the global ICT market, valued at $3.5 trillion in 2017, is projected to grow to $5.44 trillion by 2025 (※1). Against this backdrop, the pitching event 'MiraIno Pitch,' designed to discover and nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, is entering its 12th edition. The event consists of two categories: the 'Student Division,' targeting students aspiring to launch ICT-based ventures, and the 'General Division,' aimed at entrepreneurs seeking to commercialize or scale up products, apps, and services. The goal is to provide participants with opportunities to realize their ideas and accelerate business growth. Participants must attend two pre-event workshops before delivering a 7-minute pitch at the main event. Additionally, this event serves as the Kansai regional qualifier for the 'Entrepreneurial Koshien and Entrepreneurial Expo,' jointly organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). Top performers will be awarded the right to advance to the national competition (NICT Award). Furthermore, multiple awards will be presented, including the Kansai Telecommunications Bureau Director General Award, the OIH Award, and various sponsor company awards. Please pay close attention to the endeavors of young entrepreneurs striving to solve social challenges and create new value through ICT technologies. ※1 Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, '2025 White Paper on Information and Communications' https://www.soumu.go.jp/johotsusintokei/whitepaper/ja/r07/html/nd211100.html [Overview of MiraIno Pitch 2026] ◆ Event Date and Time October 7, 2026 (Wednesday) 14:30–18:30 ◆ Application Deadline August 3, 2026 (Monday) 13:00 JST (must be received by this time) ◆ Venue Osaka Innovation Hub 7F, Tower C, Knowledge Capital, Grand Front Osaka 3-1 Omotesu, Kita-ku, Osaka City * The event will also be streamed online (with archive available) ◆ Eligibility - Individuals aiming to launch or scale up a business using ICT technologies and wishing to finalize their business plans - Individuals able to participate in the following scheduled programs Brush-up Workshops <1st Workshop> September 6, 2026 (Sunday) Afternoon – Idea Workshop - Seminars conducted by mentors from the ICT Mentor Platform - Individual mentoring for confirmed presenters <2nd Workshop> September 19, 2026 (Saturday) Afternoon – Presentation Brush-up - Lectures by experts on creating presentation materials and presentation techniques - Refinement of presentation materials, practice sessions, and feedback MiraIno Pitch 2026 – October 7, 2026 (Wednesday) 14:30–18:30 - Content: Pitch contest by selected finalists (approximately 5 students and 5 general participants) (Also serves as the Kansai regional qualifier for the Entrepreneurial Koshien and Entrepreneurial Expo) - Teams composed of students enrolled in high schools, technical colleges, universities, or graduate schools located in the Kansai region (Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama); mixed teams allowed - Students aiming to launch ventures in the information and communications field (incorporation not required) * If non-students are included in the team, the entry must be submitted under the General Division. - Individuals employed by companies located in the Kansai region or residents of the Kansai region - Founders or team representatives of companies or teams actively pursuing entrepreneurship or business expansion in the information and communications field, with strong growth ambitions, who have launched their business within the past three years or plan to launch a new venture within the next year ◆ Details and Application Please apply via the official website: https://www.innovation-osaka.jp/ja/oih/pitch/mirainno/ ◆ Organizer: Osaka Innovation Hub (Osaka Foundation for Promotion of Industrial Creation) ◆ Co-organizers: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Kansai Regional Bureau / Kansai Council for Information and Communications ◆ Sponsor: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)