【IVS 2026】July 1–3 at Miyakomesse in Kyoto; Theme “Japan is Back,” Invitation-Only Area at Hotel Okura Kyoto
Japan’s largest startup conference, IVS 2026, will take place in Kyoto over three days from July 1 to July 3, 2026.
This year’s theme is “Japan is Back.” In addition to the main venue, Kyoto International Exhibition Hall Miyakomesse, the event will introduce a new area called IVS CORE. This invitation-only space for decision-makers will be hosted at Hotel Okura Kyoto.
The three-day conference is expected to provide a platform for showcasing the strengths of Japan’s startup ecosystem to a global audience.
Overview of IVS 2026 and the Message Behind the Theme “Japan is Back”
IVS 2026 is one of Japan’s largest conference events for the startup ecosystem, bringing together startups, investors, and major corporations. The event was first launched in 2007 and has since grown into a major platform for networking and collaboration within the innovation community.
The 2026 edition will be held over three days from July 1 to July 3 in Kyoto.
The Potential of Japanese Startups in a Rapidly Changing Environment
This year’s theme, “Japan is Back,” conveys a strong message about demonstrating the value and potential of Japan to the global community.
Amid shifting global conditions and a period of economic transition in Japan, new forms of social implementation are emerging in fields such as artificial intelligence, space technology, and robotics. Against this backdrop, IVS aims to highlight the role of startups in shaping the next stage of innovation.
The conference has previously attracted around 10,000 participants, and organizers intend to build on this scale while placing greater emphasis on the depth and quality of discussions and collaboration opportunities during the 2026 edition.
IVS2025 report
https://micetimes.jp/repoat-ivs2025-startup/
Two Distinct Areas Designed for Different Participant Objectives
At IVS 2026, two separate areas will be organized to accommodate the different objectives and backgrounds of participants.
Main Venue – Miyakomesse: The IVS Area for a 10,000-Participant Community Driving New Challenges
The primary event activities will take place at Kyoto International Exhibition Hall Miyakomesse, where the IVS Area will be developed as the central hub of the conference.
This area is designed as an open platform for a wide range of participants, from startup founders and investors to students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. Within this space, opportunities for investment, partnerships, and recruitment are expected to emerge in real time. The goal is to encourage encounters that go beyond traditional industry boundaries and create new business possibilities for the future.
New Venue – Hotel Okura Kyoto: The Invitation-Only IVS CORE Area Shaping the Industry’s Next Stage
A newly introduced area for 2026 is IVS CORE, which will be held at Hotel Okura Kyoto.
This section of the conference will take place over two days, from July 1 to July 2, 2026, and will be accessible exclusively to invited participants such as executives, founders, and investors selected by the organizers. Within this invitation-only environment, discussions related to fundraising and inter-company transactions are expected to take place, positioning IVS CORE as a venue for generating tangible business outcomes that may influence the future direction of the startup industry.
Participation Passes and the Referral Ticket System
Registration for participation passes for IVS 2026 is scheduled to begin on April 1. In addition to passes intended for executives and investors, general admission passes will also be available.
Structure of the IVS 2026 Passes (Based on the Press Release)
According to the official announcement, the pass structure is expected to include the following categories.
| PASS | Price | Eligible Participants |
| IVS PASS | TBD | This pass is intended for a broad range of participants involved in the startup ecosystem. Holders will be able to access the main IVS area but will not be permitted to enter the IVS CORE section. |
| CORE PASS | TBD | Designed primarily for executives, investors, and other decision-makers. |
| CORE PASS -Startup- | TBD | This category is aimed at startup companies that meet specific conditions. Eligible participants include companies founded within the past seven years that have secured or plan to secure equity-based funding, as well as organizations operating in deep-tech fields such as research-driven ventures and university spin-offs, regardless of their founding year. |
A New Participation Model Built on Trusted Connections
A new initiative called the referral ticket system has been introduced for general participation passes.
Under this system, individuals can register free of charge if they receive a referral from an event organizer or a conference speaker, until the allocated number of tickets has been reached. Participants who complete their registration through a referral may in turn receive additional invitation slots, allowing the network of attendees to expand through trusted professional connections.
Applications Open for Pitch Event Speakers
On the final day of the conference, July 3, a startup pitch event will be held where selected companies will present their products and technologies through live demonstrations. Organizers are currently inviting applications from startups seeking opportunities for fundraising and business development.
IVS 2026 Expected to Play a Key Role in Japan’s Startup Ecosystem
IVS 2026 has evolved into an event that combines two complementary elements: large-scale networking at Kyoto International Exhibition Hall Miyakomesse, where people launching new ventures gather, and an invitation-only environment at Hotel Okura Kyoto designed to generate tangible business outcomes.
Under the theme “Japan is Back,” the conference aims to expand the possibilities of Japan’s startup ecosystem and provide a platform for discussions and collaborations that may help shape the next stage of innovation. As such, IVS 2026 is expected to serve as an important meeting point for stakeholders involved in the startup industry.
IVS 2026 Event Overview
IVS2026 traces its origins to 2007 and has grown into one of Japan’s largest startup conferences, bringing together startups, investors, major corporations, and creators from both Japan and overseas.
The 2026 edition adopts the theme “Japan is Back.” Through a two-area structure designed to support both discovery and tangible business outcomes, the event aims to demonstrate the strengths and potential of Japan’s startup ecosystem to the global community.
Press Release
The event aims to showcase the strengths and potential of Japan’s startup ecosystem to the global community.
Official Name: IVS 2026
Dates: July 1–3, 2026
Venues: Kyoto International Exhibition Hall Miyakomesse, Hotel Okura Kyoto and other locations in Kyoto
Organizer: IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Headline Japan / Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City Government)
https://www.ivs.events/
https://x.com/IVS_Official
