OIST and Lifetime Ventures will hold the first joint conference on April 25-26 to connect startup entrepreneurs aiming for the world with global-minded investors. The event is now open to applications from participating startups.

OIST and Lifetime Ventures, LLC will hold "OIST-Lifetime Startup Elevate 2024", a two-day conference for startups in the healthcare and sustainability fields in Okinawa on April 25-26, 2024.

OIST-Lifetime Startup Elevate 2024 is an invitation-only off-site conference for entrepreneurs and investors who aim to co-create world-class startups from their early stages. The inaugural conference will focus on healthcare and sustainability, providing an opportunity for startup entrepreneurs and investors with a high level of interest in these areas to meet and connect closely. The two-day program will include a pitch for funding, mentoring from investors, poster presentations, and networking with investors, VCs, and OIST officials. We will also aim to create effective actions together.

Click here for the event's official website

Calling for Healthcare & Sustainability Startups!

We are calling for startups in the healthcare and sustainability fields who wish to pitch or exhibit their businesses and conduct business meetings at the event. The promising startups in the healthcare and sustainability fields selected through this open call will be mentored by mentors and will come to the event with their business plans and pitches further refined.

How to Apply

Apply from the application form below during the entry period of February 1 (Thu) to March 17 (Sun), 11:59pm

Click here to open the application form
 

Qualifications

・Seed/early-stage healthcare/sustainability startups that are currently seeking funding and have raised less than ¥500 million in equity to date.
・Applicants must be able to participate in the entire two-day program (including the pitch at the venue on-site on the day of the event).
*We welcome applications at idea stage/ pre-incorporation.
*Please note that presentations will be given in English at the event.

Benefits

1. Mentoring
All entrepreneurs and startups who passed the screening process will be interviewed by investors and Lifetime Ventures members to help them prepare for the pitch as well as refine their business strategy.

2. Acceleration  
We will provide mentoring to a limited number of entrepreneurs who have entered the program in the early stage of the application process. Mentoring Board composed by Lifetime Ventures and other top investors will work with them for several weeks, supporting them from business plan review and preparation of pitch deck.

3. Matching
One week prior to the event, an 1-on-1 online matching session is held with all of the mentor VCs with healthcare and sustainability expertise. Startup entrepreneurs and mentor VCs will be matched one week prior to the Startup Elevate event. Investors will give detailed advice to the entrepreneurs to be ready for the pitch event on April 25-26th.

4. Finance Support
The entrepreneurs will have a chance to pitch or present for funding to the potential investors during the Startup Elevate event. The entrepreneurs will get the support in fundraising through this event regardless of the investment from Lifetime Ventures or startup program participation at OIST.

Selection Process

1. Entry
The entry period is from February 1 to March 17(JST).
Please complete the application form on this page.

2. Screening
We will conduct screening based on submitted documents on a rolling basis.
Notification of screening results is scheduled after mid-March.

3. Interview
Applicants who passed the screening stage will be asked to attend an online interview from early April.

4. 1 week prior @ online
Entrepreneurs who have passed the interview screening and have confirmed their intention to participate on-site will be invited to an online matching session (PITCH CIRCUIT) with a mentor VC to be assigned to take the stage together on the day of the event.
*Mentor VCs will be asked to comment in support of the paired entrepreneurs on stage at the event. Entrepreneurs will be supported in brushing up their pitches and business strategies before the event.

5. Pitch Competition@ OIST 
Startup Elevate will be held over two days from April 25 (Thu)-26 (Fri).
On the day of the event, buses will be arranged from Naha Airport or in front of the hotel to the venue. 
Please arrange your own travel expenses to Okinawa and accommodation. Part of the travel expenses will be supported by the committee.

Remarks

• On the day of the event, participants will gather at Naha Airport or in front of the hotel and take a bus to the venue. Buses will be provided by the Steering Committee.
• Please arrange your own travel expenses to Okinawa and accommodation. Part of the travel expenses will be supported by an honorarium.

Event Outline

About Lifetime Ventures

Lifetime Ventures is a pre-seed/seed-focused venture capital firm based in Yokohama and Okinawa, Japan that supports entrepreneurs aiming to create long-lasting innovation. Lifetime manages OIST-Lifetime Ventures Funds, an independent VC fund in partnership with OIST. Lifetime Ventures has invested in more than 40 startups to date, including Rehab for JAPAN, an AgeTech company that re-designs the lives of the elderly through rehabilitation, and UUUO, a B2B platform company that creates new distribution and resource management models for the fishing industry.

https://lifetime-ventures.com/