[Startup World Cup 2026 Tokyo Preliminary] Recruiting Student Entrepreneurs to Challenge the World in Silicon Valley, USA! Deadline is June 7th
Pegasus Tech Ventures will host the "Startup World Cup 2026 Tokyo Preliminary" on July 17th, featuring the first-ever Youth Pitch Contest for elementary, junior high, high school, and Kosen students. The winning team will advance to the World Finals in Silicon Valley, USA, on November 6th.
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Pegasus Tech Ventures (Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA; Representative: Anis Uzzaman) will host the "Startup World Cup 2026 Tokyo Preliminary" on July 17th, where the first-ever Youth Pitch Contest will be held for elementary, junior high, high school, and Kosen students in Japan.
At the Startup World Cup Tokyo Preliminary, selected teams from the applicants will challenge a pitch on the same stage as the finalists, in front of approximately 3,000 spectators.
The winning team of the Tokyo Preliminary will receive a ticket to the World Finals, to be held in Silicon Valley, USA, on November 6, 2026, as the representative of Japan. This is a unique opportunity to present their ideas on a stage where top entrepreneurs and investors from around the world gather. The application deadline is June 7th. We look forward to your applications.
Additionally, the first "Youth Pitch Contest" in Japan was held at the Startup World Cup Nagoya Preliminary on April 23rd. On that day, four young challengers, including elementary, high school, and Kosen students, gave impressive pitches. The winner was Reita Shikata, who developed a gluten-free certification mark and a multilingual restaurant search app. Reita Shikata is scheduled to participate in the World Finals in Silicon Valley, USA, on November 6th, as the representative of the Youth Pitch Nagoya Preliminary.
Scenes from the 2026 Nagoya Preliminary Youth Pitch
■ Nagoya Preliminary Participating Teams
1. Reita Shikata (Dortons School Tokyo)
Provides an app that creates a common gluten-free certification mark and allows visitors to Japan to safely find corresponding restaurants and foods.
2. Team Kids Election (Dortons School Tokyo)
Develops an online platform where children can intuitively vote to reflect their opinions in policies and corporate product development.
3. Next-door Kosen Student (Kamiyama Marugoto Kosen)
Provides a matching platform that connects Kosen students who want practical experience with SMEs facing engineer shortages, supporting them with AI-driven progress management and quality checks.
4. WAlivA (Aichi Prefectural Komaki High School)
Redefines "Japanese functionality" such as natural multi-layered weaving by artisans into practical pet products, resolving the discomfort of chemical fibers.
Generous Winning Benefits and Comprehensive Support System
This program offers strong backing for young challengers to spread their wings globally.
・Chance to pitch at the World Competition in Silicon Valley, USA
Domestic preliminary winners can stand on the stage of the World Finals.
・Full support for travel and accommodation expenses
The secretariat will fully cover round-trip airfare and accommodation expenses for the student and one team supervisor*.
*For details, please refer to "8. Prizes and Incentives [Travel Support]" in the application form.
・Startup World Cup spectator tickets
Spectator tickets will be presented to experience the "Startup World Cup," where top startups from around the world gather, up close.
Application Requirements
Eligible Applicants
Children, pupils, and students enrolled in elementary, junior high, high school, or Kosen (up to 3rd year) in Japan as of November 6, 2026.
Recruitment Fields
No restrictions (no limitations on the field of the business plan to be submitted).
Team Composition
Individual or team.
Application Deadline
Until 24:00 on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Submissions
Completion of the application form and submission of slide materials (within 10 pages, PDF or PPT).
Application and Screening Process
It is a step-up format starting with document screening, proceeding through domestic preliminaries, and leading to the final screening in the United States.
① Document Screening: Finalists for the domestic preliminary will be selected based on submitted materials.
② Tokyo Preliminary (Japanese): A 3-minute presentation and 1-minute Q&A will be conducted at the venue.
③ World Finals (English): Domestic preliminary winners will compete with representatives from various countries in the United States to determine the final ranking.
How to Apply
Please fill in the necessary information on the application form below and attach your slide data to apply.
Click here to apply for the pitch
Deadline: Until 24:00 on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the inquiry desk below.
[Inquiries regarding this matter]
Youth Pitch Operations Office
Contact: Shiori Tanaka (tanakas@pegasusventures.com)
2025 Tokyo Preliminary Representative: Acompany Inc.
Tokyo Preliminary Overview
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Venue: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
106-0032 Minato, Tokyo
At the Startup World Cup Tokyo Preliminary, selected teams from the applicants will challenge a pitch on the same stage as the finalists, in front of approximately 3,000 spectators.
The winning team of the Tokyo Preliminary will receive a ticket to the World Finals, to be held in Silicon Valley, USA, on November 6, 2026, as the representative of Japan. This is a unique opportunity to present their ideas on a stage where top entrepreneurs and investors from around the world gather. The application deadline is June 7th. We look forward to your applications.
Additionally, the first "Youth Pitch Contest" in Japan was held at the Startup World Cup Nagoya Preliminary on April 23rd. On that day, four young challengers, including elementary, high school, and Kosen students, gave impressive pitches. The winner was Reita Shikata, who developed a gluten-free certification mark and a multilingual restaurant search app. Reita Shikata is scheduled to participate in the World Finals in Silicon Valley, USA, on November 6th, as the representative of the Youth Pitch Nagoya Preliminary.
Scenes from the 2026 Nagoya Preliminary Youth Pitch
■ Nagoya Preliminary Participating Teams
1. Reita Shikata (Dortons School Tokyo)
Provides an app that creates a common gluten-free certification mark and allows visitors to Japan to safely find corresponding restaurants and foods.
2. Team Kids Election (Dortons School Tokyo)
Develops an online platform where children can intuitively vote to reflect their opinions in policies and corporate product development.
3. Next-door Kosen Student (Kamiyama Marugoto Kosen)
Provides a matching platform that connects Kosen students who want practical experience with SMEs facing engineer shortages, supporting them with AI-driven progress management and quality checks.
4. WAlivA (Aichi Prefectural Komaki High School)
Redefines "Japanese functionality" such as natural multi-layered weaving by artisans into practical pet products, resolving the discomfort of chemical fibers.
Generous Winning Benefits and Comprehensive Support System
This program offers strong backing for young challengers to spread their wings globally.
・Chance to pitch at the World Competition in Silicon Valley, USA
Domestic preliminary winners can stand on the stage of the World Finals.
・Full support for travel and accommodation expenses
The secretariat will fully cover round-trip airfare and accommodation expenses for the student and one team supervisor*.
*For details, please refer to "8. Prizes and Incentives [Travel Support]" in the application form.
・Startup World Cup spectator tickets
Spectator tickets will be presented to experience the "Startup World Cup," where top startups from around the world gather, up close.
Application Requirements
Eligible Applicants
Children, pupils, and students enrolled in elementary, junior high, high school, or Kosen (up to 3rd year) in Japan as of November 6, 2026.
Recruitment Fields
No restrictions (no limitations on the field of the business plan to be submitted).
Team Composition
Individual or team.
Application Deadline
Until 24:00 on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Submissions
Completion of the application form and submission of slide materials (within 10 pages, PDF or PPT).
Application and Screening Process
It is a step-up format starting with document screening, proceeding through domestic preliminaries, and leading to the final screening in the United States.
① Document Screening: Finalists for the domestic preliminary will be selected based on submitted materials.
② Tokyo Preliminary (Japanese): A 3-minute presentation and 1-minute Q&A will be conducted at the venue.
③ World Finals (English): Domestic preliminary winners will compete with representatives from various countries in the United States to determine the final ranking.
How to Apply
Please fill in the necessary information on the application form below and attach your slide data to apply.
Click here to apply for the pitch
Deadline: Until 24:00 on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the inquiry desk below.
[Inquiries regarding this matter]
Youth Pitch Operations Office
Contact: Shiori Tanaka (tanakas@pegasusventures.com)
2025 Tokyo Preliminary Representative: Acompany Inc.
Tokyo Preliminary Overview
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Venue: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
106-0032 Minato, Tokyo