【Event Report】HVC KYOTO 2026 Demo Day

Click here for Japanese

HVC KYOTO 2026 Demo Day was held on July 13-14, 2026.
In its 11th year, the program selected 20 startups, including entrepreneurial researchers seeking to commercialize their research outcomes, across two categories: Biotech (drug discovery, biotechnology, and regenerative medicine) and MedTech (digital health and medical devices).
During Demo Day, the startups pitched to global pharmaceutical companies participating as advisors and partners, and held one-on-one business meetings.

≫Event Report
　HVC KYOTO 2026_レポート_E.pdf

Day 2 Archived Viewing

The archive of the finalists' business pitches and keynote speeches on July 14 is available on YouTube.
The video will be available until October 12, 2026. We hope you will take this opportunity to watch it.

≫Original Audio
　【HVC KYOTO 2026】Demo Day Full Archive in English
≫Japanese Audio
　【HVC KYOTO 2026】Demo Day Full Archive with Japanese Interpretation

Event Overview

• Date: July 13-14, 2026
  　　（July 13: One-on-One Business Meetings, Reception Party / July 14: Finalists' Pitches, Keynote Speeches, Information Session, Fireside Chat, Exhibition Area Networking）
• Venue: Building 4, Kyoto Research Park
• Organisers: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Kyoto Prefecture, City of Kyoto, KYOTO RESEARCH PARK Corp.
• Co-organisers: Office of Institutional Advancement and Communications, Kyoto University
  Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.
• Supporters: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI-KANSAI); Japan Patent Office; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST); National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT); Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN（SMRJ）Kinki Head Office; Osaka Prefectural Government; Hyogo Prefectural Government; City of Osaka; City of Kobe; Kansai Economic Federation (KANKEIREN); Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry; KYOTO Industrial Support Organization 21; Advanced Science, Technology & Management Research Institute of KYOTO (ASTEM); Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI); Kyoto Industrial Association; Kansai Pharmaceutical Industries Association (KPIA); NPO Kinki Bio-Industry Development Organization; Life Science Innovation Network Japan (LINK-J); inochi WAKAZO Project; Kyoto Wisdom Industry Creation Center; ZEROGATE; Kansai Innovation Initiative (KSII); Osaka-Kyoto-Hyogo-Kobe Consortium; Biocommunity Kansai (BiocK); SARR LLC; MIT Venture Forum of Japan (MIT-VFJ); Office of Economic Development Düsseldorf; Maryland Department of Commerce

Demo Day Program

Day 1: One-on-One Business Meetings

On the first day, one-on-one business meetings were held between startups and partners. This year, a total of 125 meetings took place.
Following the meetings, a reception party was held at GOCONC within Kyoto Research Park for startups, partners, and advisors. The event provided an additional opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and build connections in a relaxed setting. The reception was a great success, and participants carried that momentum into the pitch sessions on the following day.

Day 2: 12 Finalists' Pitches

On July 14, 12 finalists selected through the business advice sessions pitched to a wide range of companies, including global pharmaceutical companies, and participated in Q&A sessions with the advisors.
In addition to the finalists' pitches, international guests delivered keynote speeches, information sessions, and a fireside chat at the main venue.
In the exhibition area, where startups and HVC alumni showcased their technologies and products, active networking took place, leading to discussions on potential business collaborations and investment opportunities..

Corporate Awards

• Kyoto Mayor Award
  Awardee: Hiroaki Kitagishi, Doshisha University
  Prize: Research grant subsidy of 3 million yen
• KRP Award
  Awardee: Satoru Aoyama, AIM Precision Therapeutics
  Prize: 6 months free use of TURNKEY LAB KENTO, shared rental lab with shared equipment, and KRP BIZ NEXT service office.
• Innovation Design Award
  Awardee: Ayako Kohno, Kyoto University
  Prize: Round-trip airfare tickets to SLUSH, hotel accommodation, and opportunities to meet with local support organizations
• JETRO Award
  Awardee: Tetsuji Yamaoka, Decelink Bio Co., Ltd.
  Prize: Support services for global expansion
• INPIT Award
  Awardee: Hiroaki Kitagishi, Doshisha University
  Prize: IP strategy development support
• ATR Award
  Awardee: Hiroaki Kitagishi, Doshisha University
  Prize: Right to Participate in KGAP+ Batch 16 (Keihanna Global Acceleration Program Plus)
• iPark Award
  Awardee: Mariko Tosu, Kumamoto University Team
  Prize: 1 Year Free - iPark Membership Entry Plan
• IT-Farm Award
  Awardee: Kentaro Hayashi, HICKY, Inc.
  Prize: An invitation to pitch at XTC JAPAN 2027
• iCONM with BioLabs Award
  Awardee: Hiroaki Kitagishi, Doshisha University
  Prize: One-Year Residency Package
• HVC-LINK-J Award
  Awardee: Kentaro Hayashi, HICKY, Inc.
  Prize: Membership fee waived and annual membership fee free for 2026
• O-Nexus Award
  Awardee: Yuta Kinouchi, TOMOCLOUD Inc.
  Prize: ONE DAY PASS
• Plug and Play Kyoto Award
  Awardee: Hiroaki Kitagishi, Doshisha University
  Prize: BizDev support and mentoring session
• TOKYU LAND CORPORATION Award
  Awardee: Yuta Kinouchi, TOMOCLOUD Inc.
  Prize: One-year startup membership at a support facility for deep tech startups
  
  

HVC KYOTO 2026 Partners

HVC KYOTO 2026 Advisors / Commentators