Open Innovation Edition: Popular Large Corporations Ranking - "Innovative Large Corporations Ranking 2026" by Promising Startups Announced

To All Media Representatives

June 30, 2026

ILS (Innovation Leaders Summit) Executive Committee

The Innovation Leaders Summit Executive Committee (Operation: Project Nippon, Inc.) conducted a survey targeting 1,371 promising startups, selected by approximately 100 organizations including domestic venture capitals and universities, continuing from last year. We have compiled the 2026 edition of the "Innovative Large Corporations Ranking," a popularity ranking of large corporations active in open innovation through collaboration with startups. We are announcing the top 30 companies and the top 5 companies by industry.

This survey, conducted annually for the 9th time this year, aims to quantify the open innovation status of large corporations in Japan.

"Ranking Results for Top 100 Companies" are available by requesting free materials on the ILS official website.

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Survey Results Summary

- KDDI maintains its top position for the 9th consecutive year, but its lead has diminished with a lower vote share compared to last year.

- Dai Nippon Printing and Kao have risen for three consecutive years, now eyeing the top 10.

- Daikin Industries, Mitsubishi Chemical, Denso, and Rohto Pharmaceutical also rank up for three consecutive years.

Question Content and Survey Results

Q. Please name large corporations (up to 3 to 5) that you feel are actively engaged in open innovation activities.

Innovative Large Corporations Ranking 2026: Top 30 Overall

Request for Ranking Results up to Top 100 Overall

Free Email Delivery with Material Request

"Ranking Results for Top 100 Companies" and the "Large Corporation Open Innovation Image Map," which visually represents each company's open innovation image in four quadrants, are available by requesting materials on the ILS official website.

https://ils.tokyo/contact/

Request Materials

"Innovative Large Corporations Ranking 2026" Survey Overview

Survey Target: Executives of all 1,371 promising domestic startups that participated in "Power Matching," the main new business collaboration matching program between large corporations and startups at ILS, and were recommended by the ILS Advisory Board, composed of approximately 100 domestic and international leading VCs (Venture Capitals) and other organizations, over the past five ILS events (9th to 13th ILS).

Survey Method:

Internet survey (responses collected via an input form on the dedicated ILS website)

Survey Period:

May 20, 2026 - June 5, 2026

Valid Responses: 618 companies (response rate 45%)

Survey Organizer:

Innovation Leaders Summit Management Office

Question Items: Free association of company names and individual evaluations of associated companies.

Q1. Please name large corporations (headquartered in Japan) that you feel are actively engaged in open innovation activities. (3 to 5 companies)

Q2. Regarding the open innovation activities of the company, please select up to three options that best describe your impression.

[Strategy/Vision] Top management demonstrates leadership. [Strategy/Vision] Collaboration strategy and development needs are clear. [Strategy/Vision] Constantly creating new value and markets. [Strategy/Vision] Challenging new domains. [Strategy/Vision] Securing investment funds for growth. [Strategy/Vision] Effectively utilizing technology and brand. [Organization/Operation] On-site personnel have authority. [Organization/Operation] Executive-level personnel actively build networks. [Organization/Operation] Decision-making and actions are swift. [Organization/Operation] Actively approaching startups. [Organization/Operation] Systems and processes are sophisticated. [Human Resources/Culture] Abundant collaboration track record. [Human Resources/Culture] High passion and motivation at the site level. [Human Resources/Culture] The importance of collaboration is understood throughout the organization. [Human Resources/Culture] Can engage in open and fair relationships. [Human Resources/Culture] High interest in innovative technologies and products. [Human Resources/Culture] Appointing specialized personnel for open innovation.

What is ILS (Innovation Leaders Summit)?

An open innovation conference launched with 30 initiators and the support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, aiming to create global innovation by matching the assets of large corporations with the ideas and technologies of startups. The 13th ILS, held last December, saw 114 large corporations and 756 startups (including 261 overseas) participate in the main collaboration matching business meeting, "Power Matching," resulting in 2,562 business meetings. Of these, 747, or 30%, became collaboration projects. The primary reason for maintaining this extremely high matching rate is that only excellent companies, carefully selected by the Advisory Board of 109 organizations including major VCs, universities, and Japanese and foreign research institutions, are eligible to participate. The satisfaction rate of large corporations has exceeded 90% annually.

Previous Survey: "Innovative Large Corporations Ranking 2025"

https://ils.tokyo/news/20250702.php

<Inquiries Regarding This Matter>

Innovation Leaders Summit Management Office Contact: Matsutani (Project Nippon, Inc.)

TEL: 03-3356-9121 FAX: 03-3356-9122 E-mail: ils-info@project-nippon.jp