[Kyoto City Collaboration Pitch Event] "earthkey pitch × KYOTO CITY OPEN LABO in Higashi Honganji" to be Held on July 2nd!

ー Event Overview ー

Earthkey Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Shinnosuke Hayashi) will hold "earthkey pitch × KYOTO CITY OPEN LABO in Higashi Honganji" as an official side event of "IVS," Japan's largest startup conference, on July 2, 2026 (Thu). Following last year's success, this year's event is a special collaboration made possible with the full support of the "General Planning Bureau, Public-Private Partnership Division (KYOTO CITY OPEN LABO)" promoted by Kyoto City (our public partner). We will co-create a project that brings together the next generation of government, metropolitan startups, and major Kyoto corporations on the extraordinary stage of "Higashi Honganji," a symbol of Kyoto's history and tradition. This time, the presentations will focus on challenges for solving local issues in Kyoto City using the innovative business models and technologies of metropolitan startups.

Application

Those who are not attending IVS2026 can also apply through the link "Apply via Peatix" at the bottom of the page.

Background and Objectives of the Event

Earthkey Inc. has been holding "earthkey pitch," a pitch event connecting startups with investors and corporations, for approximately 7 years (held weekly for the past 3 years). This time, coinciding with "IVS," when entrepreneurs and investors from all over the country gather in Kyoto, we will promote collaboration in Kyoto based on "KYOTO CITY OPEN LABO," Kyoto City's corporate collaboration mainframe. Our goal is to create opportunities for new encounters and business co-creation among participants by having metropolitan startups, local companies, and government agencies directly interact in Kyoto, where tradition and innovation merge.

Event Highlights

"Co-creation" of Government × Metropolitan Startups × Kyoto Companies With the cooperation and participation of the Kyoto City Tokyo Office, metropolitan startups will directly propose technological solutions to Kyoto City's local issues. Mr. Jun Oguchi, a public-private partnership advisor for Kyoto City who has been promoting collaboration in Tokyo, will also cooperate and participate.

A Stage Where Tradition and Innovation Intersect: "Higashi Honganji" Higashi Honganji, with its hundreds of years of history, will be the venue for this event. The advanced ideas and technologies of startups will intersect within a space that embodies Japanese traditional beauty and serenity.

Passionate Pitches from Selected Startups

Featured startups with high growth potential will take the stage to present their latest business ideas and solutions for Kyoto City's challenges, leveraging cutting-edge technologies.

High-Quality Networking

This is a valuable opportunity to directly interact with a diverse range of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, investors (VC/CVC), and new business development managers from corporations nationwide who are visiting Kyoto for IVS.

Featured Companies

At this event, startups with innovative ideas and major corporations leading open innovation will be presenting.

【Startups】 ・JUREN Inc. ( https://www.juren.co.jp/ ) ・Future Inc. ( https://www.futuremobility.fun/home ) ・luv waves of materials Inc. ( https://luvwavesofmaterials.com/ ) ・ByWill Inc. ( https://www.bywill.co.jp/ ) ・Impact Circle Inc. ( https://impact-circle.co.jp/ )

【Major Corporations】 ・Kyocera Corporation ( https://www.kyocera.co.jp/ )

Head of Open Innovation Promotion Department, Research and Development Division, Minatomirai Research Center ・Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co., Ltd. ( https://www.daimaru.co.jp/kyoto/ )

Sales Promotion Department, Sales Promotion & Local Content (KKP) Manager, Daimaru Kyoto Store

Agenda (Tentative)

09:30 - : Opening 09:40 - : Higashi Honganji Lecture 09:50 - : SESSION 1: About KYOTO CITY OPEN LABO 1 About KYOTO CITY OPEN LABO 2 Past Initiatives and Achievements 3 Currently Recruiting Challenges (Reverse Pitch from Kyoto City) 10:05 - : SESSION 2: Startup Pitches - Proposals for Kyoto City 11:05 - : SESSION 3: Kyoto Major Corporation Reverse Pitch 11:30 - : Networking & Business Card Exchange

Event Summary

・Event Name: earthkey pitch × KYOTO CITY OPEN LABO in Higashi Honganji ・Date and Time: July 2, 2026 (Thu) from 9:30 AM ・Venue: Higashi Honganji Audiovisual Hall, Otani-ha Head Temple (Chōhō-chō, Karasuma Shichijo Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) ・Target Audience: Startups, investors, corporations, media representatives, etc.

How to Apply

Please apply from the links below according to your participation status in IVS.

▼ For those attending IVS (You can apply with your 4S account)

https://4s.link/ja/earthkeypitch-ivs-sideevent2026

▼ For those not attending IVS (Application is available via Peatix) https://earthkey-ivs-2026-side-event.peatix.com

*Please apply as soon as possible, as registration will close once capacity is reached.

Notes ・You will be asked to remove your shoes. Please be sure to wear socks when attending. ・We will collect one business card at reception on the day of the event. ・This event will not be streamed online (in-person attendance only). ・We may use footage and photos of the event on our website, social media, and for future event announcements. ・Participation may be refused if deemed for sales purposes. ・Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited at this event. Smoking is prohibited throughout the venue. ・Participation for religious, network marketing, or sales solicitation purposes is not permitted. ・The schedule and participating companies are subject to change without notice. ・Participant company names and department names may be shared with presenting companies. ・All forms of harassment are prohibited.

Organizer Information Earthkey Inc. focuses on connecting startups with major corporations, centered on the theme of encounters necessary for the business growth of aspiring challengers. As a method, we operate "earthkey pitch," an event where five attractive seed and early-stage startups pitch, regardless of industry. To date, over 1,300 emerging startups have presented. We also engage in planning and operating reverse pitches, providing startup databases, supporting the operation of corporate business contests, and assisting in new business development. ・Corporate Site: https://earthkey.co.jp/

・Event Site: https://earthkey.events

[Contact Information for Inquiries] Earthkey Inc. Event Management Office Email: team@earthkey.co.jp *Please feel free to contact us at the email address above for any questions regarding the event or to apply for interviews.