Call for Startups to Pitch! "STARTUP PITCH" within "OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026," Japan's Largest Open Innovation Summit

eiicon Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Ayuko Nakamura; hereinafter "eiicon") announced today that it has begun accepting applications for startups to pitch at "STARTUP PITCH," which will be held as part of "OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026" (abbreviation: OI SUMMIT; hereinafter "this Summit," held on September 11, 2026), Japan's largest open innovation summit.

https://auba.eiicon.net/oisummit/startup-pitch

This pitch event aims to create concrete co-creation opportunities by allowing startups to present their businesses, technologies, and visions at a conference where diverse players such as large corporations, local governments, investors, and support organizations gather.

Through various support initiatives, including the open innovation platform "AUBA," eiicon has created numerous co-creation projects between companies and startups. This Summit is the culmination of these efforts, bringing together players from diverse industries and fields to create opportunities for new business creation.

Furthermore, "STARTUP PITCH" broadly seeks startups that contribute to solving social issues and transforming industries, and by providing them with pitching opportunities, aims to accelerate more practical co-creation.

We are looking for pitching companies for STARTUP PITCH, a main content within "OI SUMMIT (Open Innovation Summit)," which gathers 2,000 executives and new business leaders!

About the Call for Startups to Pitch at "STARTUP PITCH" within "OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026"

This is a pitch session by startups held within the conference.

On the day of the event, business companies that have expressed interest as co-creation partners will make co-creation decisions on the spot, creating opportunities for concrete co-creation and gaining evaluation for their growth potential.

What is evaluated is not merely a "strong" startup, but rather the conceptual power and growth potential of "who to collaborate with, what to combine, and what market to open up." Being evaluated for high co-creation potential and business growth potential also leads to increased external recognition and acceleration of future business development.

Please review the information below and apply.

We look forward to challenges from startups that aim for their next growth by leveraging co-creation.

□ Target Application Areas

This pitch sets three application categories as areas to be addressed through co-creation with business companies:

① Social Infrastructure and Industrial Systems

Improving the sustainability of social and industrial foundations

(Infrastructure maintenance/management / Logistics and supply chains

/ Response to labor shortages and labor-saving / Manufacturing, construction, on-site DX, etc.)

② Lifestyle and Healthcare

Improving the quality of health, living, and working styles

(Food, housing, and living support / Work styles and well-being / Health, medical care, and nursing care, etc.)

③ Environment and Sustainability

Reducing environmental impact and realizing a sustainable society

(Resource circulation and upcycling / Decarbonization and climate change response

/ Energy saving and renewable energy utilization / Natural environment and ecosystem conservation, etc.)

*When applying, please select the area you wish to address through co-creation from the above three categories.

□ Main Content within OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026

"STARTUP PITCH"

MC: Atsushi Tamura (Talent) Judges:

Minoru Moriya (New Business Creator®) Naoto Ohitsu (Executive Managing Director Partner, Midas Capital Co., Ltd. / Former Executive Officer, Mizuho Bank) And others

□ Application Overview

Eligible applicants: Startup companies falling into the above areas Pitching opportunity: "STARTUP PITCH" within OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026 Date and time: Friday, September 11, 2026, 15:30-16:45 Venue: Akasaka Intercity Conference

□ How to Apply

Please apply via the entry form below.

https://forms.gle/D1K92g8XNYPTd1ry7

*Only selected companies will be invited to pitch.

*Selected companies and those pitching are requested to secure time, including waiting time before and after their session.

*Please check the form for other detailed application conditions and schedule.

□ Selection Schedule

Entry deadline: Until Monday, June 29, 17:00 Document screening and interview selection: Until mid-July Decision on pitching companies: Late July