[Sept 3-4, Sendai] First Round of Speakers Announced for ATERUI 2026, Tohoku's Leading Business Conference

Sparkle Inc. (Headquarters: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture; Representative Director: Hideki Fukudome), as part of the ATERUI 2026 Executive Committee, is pleased to announce that 'ATERUI 2026' will be held in Sendai for two days on September 3rd (Thursday) and 4th (Friday), 2026.

We have released the first round of guest speakers for the talk sessions. Leading figures from Tohoku's business frontier have been confirmed, and more passionate guests will be added in the future.

■ About ATERUI 2026

'ATERUI (Atotsugi and Entrepreneurs’ Regional Unity and Innovation) 2026' is a leading Tohoku business conference under the concept of 'Expand Tradition.' It brings together a diverse range of players, including successor managers, venture entrepreneurs, support organizations, and regional businesses that continue to innovate while leveraging the traditions and resources unique to Tohoku.

Building on the success of last year’s event, which drew 522 participants, this year’s 'ATERUI 2026' will extend to two days and scale up to 1,000 attendees. In addition to expanding talk sessions and booth exhibition spaces, new practical programs are planned, including the 'Wall-Bashing Dojo' where young talent can consult with experienced seniors, and 'Excursion Tours' where participants can explore disaster reconstruction sites and experience the region’s journey firsthand. Through these initiatives, we aim to foster new encounters and co-creation, supporting new challenges that will drive the next generation of Tohoku's economy.

■ Event Overview

[Day 1]
Date: Sept 3, 2026 (Thu) 9:30-19:30
Venue: SENDAI GIGS

[Day 2]
Date: Sept 4, 2026 (Fri) 9:00-20:00
Venue: Communication Design Laboratory MEDIUM

[Latest Information]
- Official Website: https://aterui.world/
- Ticket Purchase: https://aterui2026.peatix.com/
* Early-bird tickets, 20% off the regular price, are available until July 15th (Wed).

■ Talk Session Timetable (Day 1: 9/3)
* Session times and titles are subject to change.

▶ Stage A
09:30-10:30 | Opening Session: 'The Current State of Tohoku in 2026'
10:45-11:45 | 'How University-led Startups Can Build a Sustainable Ecosystem in the Region'
12:00-13:00 | 'Tohoku Successors × Entrepreneurs Pitch'
13:45-14:45 | 'Forms of Mentorship for the Next Generation: The Tohoku-style Successor Support Model'
15:00-16:00 | 'The Value of Creating Social Businesses in the Region: Perspectives Unique to Tohoku'
16:15-17:15 | 'Students Speak Out! Conditions for Us to Stay in Tohoku 10 Years from Now'
17:30-18:00 | Closing Session: 'Tohoku’s Future Continued'

▶ Stage B
10:45-11:45 | Government Pitch
12:05-13:00 | 'Why and How: Creating a Space Industry Ecosystem in Tohoku'
13:20-14:15 | 'The Tohoku Charm Deepened by Art and Delivered by Design'
14:35-15:30 | 'Is External Collaboration Really Necessary for Business Development? R&D Practices for Regional Firms'
15:50-16:45 | Partner Session

■ Now Accepting Applications for the 'Tohoku Successor × Entrepreneur Pitch'!
ATERUI 2026 is hosting a pitch event where 'successors' who inherit traditions while challenging innovation and 'entrepreneurs' creating new value in Tohoku can showcase their vision.