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About
Startup Elevate: A Global Venture Capital & Startup Deep-tech Funding Platform
Our Pitch
Hosted by OIST Innovation and Lifetime Ventures, Startup Elevate is a 2-day invitation-only conference designed to connect visionary entrepreneurs with top investors, fostering high-impact relationships that bring breakthrough ideas to global impact.
Set on the campus of the Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology, the event centers on high-potential startups in the healthcare and sustainability sectors, bringing together those building the future and those ready to help fund it.
A Curated Experience
Startup Elevate is a purposeful environment where every attendee is selected for alignment, ambition, and potential to contribute meaningfully to elevate the deeptech startup ecosystem in Japan.
What to Expect
Fundraising pitch opportunities
Direct mentorship from seasoned investors
Poster presentations and project showcases
Focused networking with VCs, investors, and corporates
Who It's For
Startups
Bold founders building globally-oriented ventures in healthcare and sustainability, selected through a competitive application process.
Investors
Forward-looking VCs, angels, and corporate ventures invited directly by OIST and Lifetime Ventures.
Startups Will Gain
Direct exposure to top investors
Strategic guidance from experienced mentors
New partnerships and cross-sector insight
A launchpad into Japan's innovation ecosystem
Investors Will Gain
Curated access to startups solving real-world problems
A front-row seat to bold, early-stage innovation
Collaboration with fellow investors and researchers
Deeper understanding of Japan's emerging startup landscape
How It Works
Apply
Founders submit applications; investors are invited
Get Selected
Participants are carefully vetted and confirmed
Join Us
Attend the 2-day program at OIST on September 29 & 30, 2025
Move Forward
Leave with insights, connections, and next steps
With OIST's world-class research campus as the backdrop, Startup Elevate is more than a conference, it's an intimate space to start lasting partnerships. Here, capital meets purpose, and ambition finds momentum.
Conference Structure
Sessions & Topics
Sessions, pitch sessions, panel sessions, poster sessions & networking sessions.
Day One
Healthcare
Focus Areas
Drug Discovery / Biotech / Bioinformatics / Neurotech / Medical Devices / Digital Health / Preventive Medicine & Longevity
Panel Sessions
Healthcare Panels
Expert-led discussions and presentations on industry trends, challenges, and opportunities
Pitch Session
Healthcare Startup Pitches
7 selected startups present their solutions to potential investors and partners
Poster Session
Healthcare Innovation Exhibition
Exhibition-style presentations for >20 participating startups
Networking Session
Healthcare Connections
Structured and casual time to connect with investors, partners & entrepreneurs
Day Two
Sustainability
Focus Areas
Energy / Materials / Mobility / AgriTech / FoodTech / Carbon Capture / Maritime & Marine / Aquaculture
Panel Session
Sustainability Panels
Expert-led discussions and presentations on industry trends, challenges, and opportunities
Pitch Session
Sustainability Startup Pitches
7 selected startups present their solutions to potential investors and partners
Poster Session
Sustainability Solutions Exhibition
Exhibition-style presentations for >20 participating startups
Networking Session
Sustainability Collaborations
Structured and casual time to connect with investors, partners & entrepreneurs
Additional Events
Welcome Dinner
September 28 in Naha (the day before the conference)
Bonus Opportunity
One month prior pitch circuit, mentoring for selected startups
Conference Structure
Mentor VCs & Guest Judges
Hiroaki Kobayashi
Partner, The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC)
Hiroko Kimura
Principal, Fast Track Initiative, Inc.
Hiroyuki Misawa, Ph.D.
Director/Partner, MIYAKO Capital Co.,Ltd.
Katsuya Hashizume
Executive Director / Partner, Beyond Next Ventures Inc.
Suguru Ueno
Principal, JAFCO
Taira Kobayashi
Principal, JAFCO
Yukako Yokota
Partner, One Capital
Yutaro Kasai
General Partner, Angel Bridge Inc.
Arthur Chen
Managing Partner, BE Health Ventures
Hanae Suzuki
Venture Capitalist / Life Science Professional, JIC Venture Growth Investments
PohHui Chia
Director, Vickers Venture Partners
Xinhong Lim
Partner, Wedo Venture Partner
Yuki Takemori
Executive Director, Development Bank of Japan
Arthur Chen
Managing Partner, BE Health Ventures
Gil Granot-Mayor
Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach/ Vice CEO, OIST
Gregg Yoshito Shibata
Sr Principal, Corporate Development, Blue Shield of California
Hiroaki Kobayashi
Partner, The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC)
Masashi Kiyomine
Founder & Managing Partner, Kicker Ventures
Masatoshi Honda
Venture Partner, Lifetime Ventures
Michael McCullar
CEO, RegCell
PohHui Chia
Director, Vickers Venture Partners
Ryosuke Kimura
Founder/ General Partner, Lifetime Ventures
Viktoras Lisicovas
Founder/CEO, Chiore
Asumi Ota
Partner, D4V (Design for Ventures)
Itaru Shiraishi
Venture Partner, Energy & Environment Investment, Inc. (EEI)
Michael Matsumura
Partner, Scrum Ventures
Shu Sokabe
Investment Manager, Genesia Ventures
Tatsuya Nakamura
Principal, Globis Capital Partners
Tomoko Numata
Chief Capitalist, JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.
Yuki Kuwabara
Venture Capitalist, JIC Venture Growth Investments Co., Ltd.
Akihiko Nagata
CEO, UntroD Capital Japan
Barry O'Neil
Partner, Value Create
Paul McInerney
General Partner, Incubate Fund
Tim Romero
Founder/ Podcaster, Disrupting Japan
Yuki Takemori
Executive Director, Development Bank of Japan
Akifumi Chris Takigawa
Director, Global Brain
Alissa Schneideman
Associate, Woven Capital
Blair Pritchard
Partner, Virescent Ventures
Carol Cheung
Partner, Cocoon Capital
Christopher Kim
Co-founder & Managing Partner, UNION Labs Ventures
Duncan Clark
Founder and Chairman, BDA (China) Ltd/ Board of Councilors Member, OIST
Gil Granot-Mayor
Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach/ Vice CEO, OIST
Ilya Kulyatin
Founder/CEO, Foundry Group/ Tokyo AI
Jerry Yang
General Partner, HCVC
Joseph Chua
Co-Founder/President, Medisun Energy
Kay Makishi
VP, Lupoff/ Stevens Family Office
Kiran Mysore
Principal, UTEC
Koshu Kunii
General Partner, Lifetime Ventures
Nozomi Mizuno Witherspoon
Head of Sustainability Relations, Coca Cola Bottlers Japan
Paul Miller
CEO/Managing Partner, Bethnal Green Ventures
Simon Lancaster
Founding General Partner, Omni Ventures
Tatsuro Koyama
Venture Partner, Lifetime Ventures
Tomosaku Sohara
General Partner, Nordic Ninja
Victor Mulas
Chief Innovation Officer, CIC Global
Wanwipa Siriwatwechakul
Venture Partner, Vectors Capital
Yuka Hata
Senior Managing Director / Head of Funds Investments, Japan Investment Corporation
The Venue
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), located on a lush, scenic campus in Okinawa, Japan, is the setting for this exclusive conference. Surrounded by ocean views and subtropical nature, OIST offers a world-class research environment that makes it an inspiring place to connect, create, and collaborate.
As a graduate university known for cutting-edge science and innovation, OIST is the ideal venue to host Startup Elevate, bringing together global venture capitalists and ambitious startups in a space designed for meaningful exchange. Beyond its exceptional facilities, the peaceful and striking setting adds a unique energy to this focused, high-impact gathering.
Last year's conference
Startup Elevate 2024 Highlights
Step into the atmosphere of last year’s conference with a glimpse at the people, pitches, and moments that made it memorable. These photos capture the energy, collaboration, and innovation that define the Startup Elevate experience.
Sponsors & Partners
Sponsors & Supporting Organizations
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VC Partners
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LP Partners
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Corporate Partners
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Academia / Accelerator / Professional Partners
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Elevate with Us
Join us September 29 & 30, 2025 for two days of connection, inspiration, and momentum. Startup Elevate brings together bold startups and strategic investors to spark new ideas and move innovation forward.