OIST Innovation Day 2026

Date

Thursday, November 5, 2026 - 10:00 to 19:00

Location

OIST

Description

OIST is advancing science into innovation in many forms. Held as Day 2 of Startup Elevate, OIST Innovation Day invites you to meet the innovation happening across OIST — from early-stage research seeds to startups built on cutting-edge technology. Sessions are organized around Healthcare and Deep Tech, aligned with the themes of Startup Elevate. If you're looking for ways to collaborate with OIST on innovation, this is the event to attend. 

Sign-up is required. OIST and PARKS members should register using this form. All others, please refer to the "Registration" section for how to sign up.

Main Program & Timetable

Time Program Details
10:00–11:00 Reception Opens Poster area is open
11:00–11:20 (20 min) Opening  
11:20–11:50 (30 min) [Healthcare] Keynote Professor Yohei Yokobayashi, OIST
11:50–12:50 (60 min) Lunch Break  
12:50–14:00 (70 min) [Healthcare] Research Showcase Pitches from OIST researchers working on healthcare-related research projects
14:00–14:10 (10 min) Break  
14:10–15:20 (70 min) OIST Innovation Accelerator Demo Day Pitches from this year's Accelerator cohort, plus finalists shortlisted for next year's cohort
15:20–15:30 (10 min) Break  
15:30–16:00 (30 min) [Deep Tech] Keynote Professor Christine Luscombe, OIST
16:00–17:35 (95 min) [Deep Tech] Research Showcase Pitches from OIST researchers working on research projects outside of healthcare
17:35–17:45 (10 min) Closing  

Side Events

Local Startup Pitch

Highlighting local startups aligned with the Healthcare or Deep Tech themes — including OIST startups, tenant startups of the OIST Innovation Incubator, and startups from the University of the Ryukyus or PARKS. A great opportunity to meet local startups while visiting Okinawa.

  • Deep Tech startups: 12:50–14:00 (70 min)
  • Healthcare startups: 16:10–17:20 (70 min)

[Venue: Conference Center Meeting Room 1]

Campus Tour

Join a guided tour of the OIST campus — don't miss it if this is your first visit.

  • 1st tour: 10:15–11:00 (45 min)
  • 2nd tour: 12:20–13:05 (45 min)
  • 3rd tour: 16:10–16: (45 min)

Poster Session

Posters from participating startups and researchers will be on display at the venue throughout the day. Stop by to learn about the technology and meet the researchers and entrepreneurs behind it.

[Venue: Auditorium Foyer]

*Contents and schedule are subject to change.

Speakers

Healthcare

Keynote
(11:20-11:50)


Professor Yohei Yokobayashi
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit
Research Showcase
(12:50-14:00)
Local Startup Pitch
(16:10-17:20)		 To be updated.

Deeptech

Keynote
(15:30-16:00)


Professor Christine Luscombe
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
pi-Conjugated Polymers Unit
Research Showcase
(16:00-17:35)
Local Startup Pitch
(12:50-14:00)

To be updated.

OIST Innovation Accelerator Demo Day (14:10-15:20)

FY2026 Cohort
Finalist for FY2027 Cohort

To be updated.

*Speakers are subject to change.

Event Details

Date November 5, 2026, 11:00–17:45
Venue Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
1919-1 Tancha, Onna Village, Okinawa 904-0495
Who should attend
  • OIST researchers interested in connecting, learning, and collaborating with industry — or looking to launch a startup and bring their technology to life
  • Locally based healthcare/deeptech startups, including OIST startups, tenant startups of the OIST Innovation Incubator, and startups from the University of the Ryukyus or PARKS, interested in connecting, learning, and collaborating with industry — or looking to launch a startup and bring their technology to life
  • Industry players interested in connecting, learning, and collaborating with OIST
  • VCs exploring investment opportunities in OIST technology or startups
  • EIR candidates / business talents looking for research seeds to build a startup around
Inquiries olseoistday2026@365groups.oist.jp

Registration

How you sign up depends on your participant category. Please check the details below.

OIST Researchers / Staffs and PARKS Universities

Please sign up using the form below:
[OIST Researcher/Staff Sign-up Form] 
Startups

Please sign up using the form below (application due: August 31st):
[Startup Sign-up Form]

This is the common form for applying to Pitch Elevate, the pitch contest held on November 4th and 6th. Even if you're only interested in joining the local pitch, not Pitch Elevate, please use this form to apply. 
Industry Players
  • INO Members: The sign-up form is shared via the INO office. If you haven't received it, please contact ino@oist.jp.
  • Startup Elevate Sponsor companies: Your participation is included as part of your sponsorship. For details, please follow the information provided by the Startup Elevate office.
  • Others: Participation is by invitation only. If you're interested in joining, please reach out to check your eligibility: olseoistday2026@365groups.oist.jp
VCs
  • VCs joining Startup Elevate: You're invited. For participation details, please follow the information provided by the Startup Elevate office.
  • If you're unsure about participation, please contact: startup-elevate2026@lifetime-ventures.com
EIR Candidates

The EIR track is a document-screened place for pre-founding individuals. If you are interested in joining Startup Elevate, including OIST Innovation Day, to meet pre-incorporation seeds for co-founding and connecting with venture-creation-focused VCs from Japan and abroad, please apply using the form below:
[EIR Sign-up Form]
Others  If you don't fall under any of the categories above and are unsure about your participation, please contact: olseoistday2026@365groups.oist.jp
All-OIST Category: 
Innovation

Subscribe to the OIST Calendar: Right-click to download, then open in your calendar application.