Japan's Largest Open Innovation Summit 'OI SUMMIT 2026' Announces New Speakers and Sponsors: KDDI Chairman Makoto Takahashi Joins Lineup

eiicon Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Ayuko Nakamura; hereinafter 'eiicon') has updated information regarding the 'OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026' (abbreviated as OI SUMMIT 2026), Japan's largest open innovation summit, which will be hosted on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Akasaka Intercity Conference in Tokyo.

The company has announced the latest updates, including new speakers, sessions, sponsors, and Supporting Partners.

Since the event's announcement in April, OI SUMMIT 2026 has received overwhelming interest. With the addition of new sponsors and Supporting Partners, the summit is evolving into a nationwide co-creation platform that brings together diverse players—including corporations, local governments, startups, financial institutions, and media—transcending industrial, regional, and organizational boundaries.

Additional speakers, sessions, and collaboration partners will be announced in the coming months. Stay tuned.

https://auba.eiicon.net/oisummit

Japan's largest-scale open innovation summit, 'OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026 (OI SUMMIT 2026)', will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, at Akasaka Intercity Conference, Tokyo.

New Sessions and Speakers Announced

Makoto Takahashi, Representative Director and Chairman of KDDI Corporation, has been confirmed as a new speaker.

Mr. Takahashi, a key figure in driving Japan's industrial transformation—from telecommunications infrastructure to new ventures, digital transformation (DX), and societal implementation—will lead a discussion on 'The Arrival of Co-Creation 3.0: Where Should Japan’s Industries Begin to Change?', exploring the next growth strategies for Japanese enterprises.

The Arrival of Co-Creation 3.0: Where Should Japan’s Industries Begin to Change?

Makoto Takahashi (Representative Director and Chairman, KDDI Corporation)

Redefining Growth: What Will Japanese Companies Compete On?

Masatoshi Nagasaki (President & CEO, Space BD Inc.)

Ryosuke Takahashi (CEO & President, Acompany Inc.)

Successful Co-Creation Requires Organizational Systems and Executive Commitment

Kinuyo Hattori (Consultant, Consulting Business Division, eiicon Inc.)

STARTUP PITCH 2026 Judges Announced

A pitch session featuring startups during the conference.

On the day, corporate partners seeking co-creation opportunities will evaluate pitches in real time, enabling immediate decisions on collaboration and identifying potential for growth and market expansion.

Judges will not simply assess 'strong' startups, but rather evaluate vision and potential—specifically, 'Who can they partner with, what synergies can be created, and what new markets can be unlocked?' High scores in co-creation potential and business scalability will enhance external recognition and accelerate future business development.

Mayumi Yamada

(Director and Co-Founder, iStyle Inc. / Representative Director, Bank for Smiles Foundation)

Kunihiro Tanaka (President & CEO, Sakura Internet Inc.)

Toru Shitazono (Quality of Open Innovation Officer, Incubation Quality Division, eiicon Inc.)

Sponsors and Supporting Partners Expand Nationally

OI SUMMIT 2026 has welcomed 19 new sponsors and 7 Supporting Partners.

With participation from not only corporations but also financial institutions, economic organizations, and media, the summit is building a nationwide cross-sector network that strengthens Japan’s open innovation ecosystem.

Newly Announced Sponsors (in no particular order):

BIPROGY Inc., Mori Building Co., Ltd., Daido Life Insurance Company, Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd.,

Meiji Co., Ltd., Spiral Innovation Partners Inc., Yukai Engineering Inc.,

Only Story Inc., CINCA Inc., MinD in a Device Inc.,

Japan Software Approach Inc., HERSTORY Inc., ams Inc.,

Atsurae Inc., Creana Bukki Inc., Persol Innovation Company (lotsful) Inc.,

Takase Kogata, IdeaScale Japan Inc., Cafe Eikaiwa Inc.

Newly Announced Supporting Partners (in no particular order, titles omitted):

Japan Finance Corporation, Chubu New Business Conference, i2.JP, JaZCaF,

Forbes JAPAN, JBPress, Toyo Keizai Inc.

Executives and new business leaders unite for co-creation!

OPEN INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026 (OI SUMMIT 2026) Event Overview

Date and Time: September 11, 2026 (Fri), 10:00 – 20:00

Venue: Akasaka Intercity Conference

Akasaka Intercity AIR 3F–4F, 1-8-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

(Direct access from Exit 14 of Tameike-Sanno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Nanboku Lines)

(Also accessible via Kokkai-gijidō-mae Station on the Marunouchi and Chiyoda Lines)

Expected Attendance: 2,000 attendees

※ Executives and open innovation leaders from large corporations to startups

Organizer: eiicon Inc.

Participation Fees (all prices include tax):

MEMBER PASS (AUBA members only): ¥19,600 (60% off until Friday, July 31)

BASIC PASS: ¥34,300 (30% off until Friday, July 31) ※ Regular price: ¥49,000

VIP PASS: ¥120,000

Official Website (for exhibitor details and general registration): https://auba.eiicon.net/oisummit/

About AUBA

AUBA is Japan’s largest open innovation platform, enabling businesses to discover new partners and co-create ventures. It offers end-to-end support—from concept development for new ventures to partner matching and business implementation. AUBA’s paid plans are certified under the international standard ISO 56001.

URL: https://auba.eiicon.net/

About eiicon Inc.

https://corp.eiicon.net/

eiicon Inc. operates AUBA, Japan’s largest open innovation platform. Leveraging a network of over 39,000 companies, it has facilitated more than 100,000 matchmaking opportunities. AUBA received ISO 56001 certification in 2025 for innovation management systems.

The company also provides comprehensive, hands-on support services—from strategy formulation and organizational development to partner discovery, incubation, and commercialization—tailored to corporate growth strategies and business stages.