If you are an OIST startup, or a startup based in the OIST Innovation Incubator, and would like to attend, please contact us at olseoistday2026@365groups.oist.jp.
Startup Elevate / OIST Innovation Day 2026
Date
Thursday, November 5, 2026 - 11:00 to 17:45
Location
OIST
Description
About Startup Elevate
Startup Elevate is a deal-oriented, premier deep tech conference for Japan and Asia, bringing together leading entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors from around the world. Co-hosted by Lifetime Ventures and OIST since 2024, it has quickly become a hub for cross-border investment and collaboration.
Though it is an invitation-only conference, OIST Community is invited. Researchers, students, any other staffs interested in deep tech startups and innovation: this is a great opportunity to meet the entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners. Feel free to drop by.
For more details on Startup Elevate, please visit the website below:
https://elevate.lifetime-ventures.com/en
OIST Innovation Day
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.
This event is by invitation and requires advance registration. Please refer to the "Registration" section and complete your registration in advance.
*Advance registration is not required for OIST students, researchers, and staff.
Main Program & Timetable
Venue: Auditorium
| 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 | |
| 14:10–15:35 (85 min) | OIST Innovation Accelerator Demo Day | Pitches from this year's Accelerator cohort, plus finalists shortlisted for next year's cohort |
| 15:35–15:45 (10 min) | Break | |
| 15:45–16:15 (30 min) | [Deep Tech] Keynote | Professor Christine Luscombe, OIST |
| 16:15–17:35 (80 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 PitchHighlighting 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.
[Venue: Conference Center Meeting Room 1 (Stage B)] |
 |
Campus TourJoin a guided tour of the OIST campus — don't miss it if this is your first visit.
|
 |
Poster SessionPosters 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 & Conference Center Foyer (Poster Area)] |
*Contents and schedule are subject to change.
Speakers
Healthcare
| Keynote (11:20-11:50) |
|
|---|---|
| Research Showcase (12:50-14:00) |
|
| Local Startup Pitch (16:20-17:30) |
To be updated. |
Deeptech
| Keynote (15:45-16:15) |
|
|---|---|
| Research Showcase (16:15-17:35) |
|
| Local Startup Pitch (12:50-14:00) |
To be updated. |
OIST Innovation Accelerator Demo Day (14:10-15:35)
| FY2026 Cohort | |
| Finalist for FY2027 Cohort |
To be updated. |
*Speakers are subject to change.
Event Details
| Date | November 5, 2026, 11:00–17:45 (Reception and poster session open at 10:00) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) 1919-1 Tancha, Onna Village, Okinawa 904-0495 |
| Who should attend |
|
| Inquiries | olseoistday2026@365groups.oist.jp |
Registration
How you sign up depends on your participant category. Please check the details below.
| OIST Researchers / Staffs |
Although you may attend without prior registration simply by presenting your staff ID, to make networking among participants more meaningful, we will be creating a participant list that will be shared among those who register their information. If you would like access to the participant list, please register your information below. |
|---|---|
| PARKS Universities |
Please sign up using the form below: |
| Startups |
Registration for general startups is now closed. Please sign up using the form below (application due: August 31st): 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 |
|
| VCs |
You are invited to attend. Please let us know at the address below if you plan to participate, and we will share the registration details with you. |
| 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: |
| 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:
Subscribe to the OIST Calendar: Right-click to download, then open in your calendar application.