In February 2025, three large-scale startup events will be held around Japan; in Aichi, Shibuya, and Hokkaido — hosted by the local governments of each region.
At each event, there will be presentations of initiatives that make use of the characteristics of that region, and participation is planned by major corporations, startups, and investors with roots in the area.
These events are a great opportunity for entrepreneurs, startup hopefuls, and investors to network and gather information with an eye to future business development. Seeing as they’re being held at the same time, why not use this as an opportunity to visit Japan if you are interested in the Japanese startup scene and cutting-edge technology?
TechGALA Japan is an international technology festival organized by Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, and Hamamatsu City. World-famous as the center of Japan's manufacturing industry, the region is home to global companies such as Toyota and Yamaha, and is recognized within Japan as the place where advanced technology and the tradition of craftsmanship come together.
Launching in 2025, this event is the perfect place to contribute to the development of technology and the strengthening of industry.
Over the course of three days the event will offer corporate booths, keynote speeches, panel discussions and a startup pitch contest. Featuring five main areas, including innovations in mobility, life sciences, and advanced materials, it is expected to attract more than 5,000 participants from around the world.
*Event details will be updated on this page as appropriate.
DIG SHIBUYA, a four-day event that fuses innovation and entertainment, will be held in the famed Tokyo neighborhood of Shibuya for the second year in a row.
At DIG SHIBUYA, top runners in the startup industry will gather to hold discussions and exhibitions to create the future of Shibuya together. Digital technology and creative approaches will be combined to bring together entrepreneurs, artists, and engineers in a dynamic atmosphere.
Shibuya City is developing an ecosystem to support startups, and is actively developing measures to attract international entrepreneurs in particular. DIG SHIBUYA is an event where you can actually feel such efforts, and it is attracting international attention as a place that stimulates creative ideas.
*Event details will be updated on this page as appropriate.
Hokkaido Innovation Week is an event themed around regional economic development and environmental innovation, set against the backdrop of Japan's most beautiful winter scenery. Over the course of the week, the focus will be laid on the latest technologies in fields such as renewable energy, tourism, and food tech, which Hokkaido is focusing on. A total of around 1,000 people from Japan and overseas attended last year’s event, including startups, investors, support organizations, and local governments — with even more atendees expected this year.
This event is a great opportunity to explore the potential of businesses that utilize Hokkaido's unique resources and technology.
Hokkaido Innovation Week | Feb. 13-19, 2025
*The event outline will be updated on this page as appropriate.
These three events are invaluable opportunities to experience the startup scene in various parts of Japan within a single trip. You can learn about the latest technology and business trends — and build your own network — while enjoying the unique characteristics and charm of each region.
We will be updating event information for all three on the Blackbox event page. Please check it out for other events as well!