What startups can expect
For Startups
OIST-Lifetime Startup Elevate is designed to connect visionary early-stage founders with strategic investors who can help take your healthcare or sustainability startup to the global stage. This page outlines the complete journey for entrepreneurs, from application to participation.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in OIST-Lifetime Startup Elevate, your startup should meet the following criteria:
Sector Focus
Healthcare or sustainability innovations
Sector Focus
Healthcare or sustainability innovations
Sector Focus
Healthcare or sustainability innovations
Funding Stage
Seed/early-stage startups that have raised less than ¥500 million in equity to date
Funding Stage
Seed/early-stage startups that have raised less than ¥500 million in equity to date
Funding Stage
Seed/early-stage startups that have raised less than ¥500 million in equity to date
Global Ambition
Committed to building a world-class startup from inception
Global Ambition
Committed to building a world-class startup from inception
Global Ambition
Committed to building a world-class startup from inception
Availability
Able to participate in the entire two-day program on September 29 & 30, 2025
Availability
Able to participate in the entire two-day program on September 29 & 30, 2025
Availability
Able to participate in the entire two-day program on September 29 & 30, 2025
Communication
Prepared to deliver presentations in English
Communication
Prepared to deliver presentations in English
Communication
Prepared to deliver presentations in English
Benefits for Startups
Benefits for Startups
Benefits for Startups
Mentoring
All entrepreneurs who pass the screening process will receive personalized mentoring from investors and Lifetime Ventures members to help prepare for the pitch and refine business strategy.
Mentoring
All entrepreneurs who pass the screening process will receive personalized mentoring from investors and Lifetime Ventures members to help prepare for the pitch and refine business strategy.
Mentoring
All entrepreneurs who pass the screening process will receive personalized mentoring from investors and Lifetime Ventures members to help prepare for the pitch and refine business strategy.
Mentoring
All entrepreneurs who pass the screening process will receive personalized mentoring from investors and Lifetime Ventures members to help prepare for the pitch and refine business strategy.
Acceleration
We provide focused mentoring to a limited number of entrepreneurs in the early application stage. Our mentoring board of Lifetime Ventures and leading investors will work with you for several weeks on business plan review and pitch deck preparation.
Acceleration
We provide focused mentoring to a limited number of entrepreneurs in the early application stage. Our mentoring board of Lifetime Ventures and leading investors will work with you for several weeks on business plan review and pitch deck preparation.
Acceleration
We provide focused mentoring to a limited number of entrepreneurs in the early application stage. Our mentoring board of Lifetime Ventures and leading investors will work with you for several weeks on business plan review and pitch deck preparation.
Acceleration
We provide focused mentoring to a limited number of entrepreneurs in the early application stage. Our mentoring board of Lifetime Ventures and leading investors will work with you for several weeks on business plan review and pitch deck preparation.
Matching
One week prior to the event, you'll participate in a 1-on-1 online matching session with mentor VCs specialized in healthcare or sustainability. They'll provide detailed advice to help you prepare for the conference.
Matching
One week prior to the event, you'll participate in a 1-on-1 online matching session with mentor VCs specialized in healthcare or sustainability. They'll provide detailed advice to help you prepare for the conference.
Matching
One week prior to the event, you'll participate in a 1-on-1 online matching session with mentor VCs specialized in healthcare or sustainability. They'll provide detailed advice to help you prepare for the conference.
Matching
One week prior to the event, you'll participate in a 1-on-1 online matching session with mentor VCs specialized in healthcare or sustainability. They'll provide detailed advice to help you prepare for the conference.
Funding Support
You'll have the opportunity to pitch to potential investors during the event. Regardless of immediate investment outcomes, you'll receive support in fundraising through connections made at the conference.
Funding Support
You'll have the opportunity to pitch to potential investors during the event. Regardless of immediate investment outcomes, you'll receive support in fundraising through connections made at the conference.
Funding Support
You'll have the opportunity to pitch to potential investors during the event. Regardless of immediate investment outcomes, you'll receive support in fundraising through connections made at the conference.
Funding Support
You'll have the opportunity to pitch to potential investors during the event. Regardless of immediate investment outcomes, you'll receive support in fundraising through connections made at the conference.
Step-by-Step Process
These are the steps involved in the application process & participation.
1
Application Submission
Deadline: July 31 2025
Submit your application through our online form. You'll need to provide:
Basic company information
Founder background
Business model overview
Technology description
Market opportunity
Funding needs and status
Pitch deck (if available)
1
Application Submission
Deadline: July 31 2025
Submit your application through our online form. You'll need to provide:
Basic company information
Founder background
Business model overview
Technology description
Market opportunity
Funding needs and status
Pitch deck (if available)
1
Application Submission
Deadline: July 31 2025
Submit your application through our online form. You'll need to provide:
Basic company information
Founder background
Business model overview
Technology description
Market opportunity
Funding needs and status
Pitch deck (if available)
1
Application Submission
Deadline: July 31 2025
Submit your application through our online form. You'll need to provide:
Basic company information
Founder background
Business model overview
Technology description
Market opportunity
Funding needs and status
Pitch deck (if available)
2
Document Screening
Review Period: Throughout August 2025
Our selection committee will review all applications based on:
Innovation potential
Market opportunity
Team capability
Alignment with conference themes
Global scalability
We'll notify all applicants of the screening results by mid-March.
2
Document Screening
Review Period: Throughout August 2025
Our selection committee will review all applications based on:
Innovation potential
Market opportunity
Team capability
Alignment with conference themes
Global scalability
We'll notify all applicants of the screening results by mid-March.
2
Document Screening
Review Period: Throughout August 2025
Our selection committee will review all applications based on:
Innovation potential
Market opportunity
Team capability
Alignment with conference themes
Global scalability
We'll notify all applicants of the screening results by mid-March.
2
Document Screening
Review Period: Throughout August 2025
Our selection committee will review all applications based on:
Innovation potential
Market opportunity
Team capability
Alignment with conference themes
Global scalability
We'll notify all applicants of the screening results by mid-March.
3
Interview Screening
Early September 2025
Shortlisted startups will be invited to an online interview with our panel of investors and Lifetime Ventures members.
This 30-minute session will evaluate:
Founder vision and capability
Business model viability
Technical innovation
Growth potential
Fit with investor interests
3
Interview Screening
Early September 2025
Shortlisted startups will be invited to an online interview with our panel of investors and Lifetime Ventures members.
This 30-minute session will evaluate:
Founder vision and capability
Business model viability
Technical innovation
Growth potential
Fit with investor interests
3
Interview Screening
Early September 2025
Shortlisted startups will be invited to an online interview with our panel of investors and Lifetime Ventures members.
This 30-minute session will evaluate:
Founder vision and capability
Business model viability
Technical innovation
Growth potential
Fit with investor interests
3
Interview Screening
Early September 2025
Shortlisted startups will be invited to an online interview with our panel of investors and Lifetime Ventures members.
This 30-minute session will evaluate:
Founder vision and capability
Business model viability
Technical innovation
Growth potential
Fit with investor interests
4
Pitch Circuit Mentoring
One week before the event
Selected startups will participate in our pre-conference mentoring program:
Online 1-on-1 matching with a mentor VC specialized in your field
Personalized feedback on your pitch and business strategy
Guidance on preparing for investor conversations
Pitch deck refinement and presentation coaching
This intensive preparation ensures you'll make the most of your conference opportunities.
4
Pitch Circuit Mentoring
One week before the event
Selected startups will participate in our pre-conference mentoring program:
Online 1-on-1 matching with a mentor VC specialized in your field
Personalized feedback on your pitch and business strategy
Guidance on preparing for investor conversations
Pitch deck refinement and presentation coaching
This intensive preparation ensures you'll make the most of your conference opportunities.
4
Pitch Circuit Mentoring
One week before the event
Selected startups will participate in our pre-conference mentoring program:
Online 1-on-1 matching with a mentor VC specialized in your field
Personalized feedback on your pitch and business strategy
Guidance on preparing for investor conversations
Pitch deck refinement and presentation coaching
This intensive preparation ensures you'll make the most of your conference opportunities.
4
Pitch Circuit Mentoring
One week before the event
Selected startups will participate in our pre-conference mentoring program:
Online 1-on-1 matching with a mentor VC specialized in your field
Personalized feedback on your pitch and business strategy
Guidance on preparing for investor conversations
Pitch deck refinement and presentation coaching
This intensive preparation ensures you'll make the most of your conference opportunities.
5
Conference Participation
September 29 & 30, 2025 at OIST
Prepared to deliver presentations in English
During the two-day conference, you'll have multiple opportunities to showcase your startup:
Day One (Healthcare Focus)
Present your healthcare innovation during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your technology in the poster exhibition
Connect with investors during structured networking sessions
Attend the evening networking dinner in Naha
Day Two (Sustainability Focus)
Present your sustainability solution during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your innovation in the poster exhibition
Build relationships during networking sessions
Attend the concluding networking dinner
5
Conference Participation
September 29 & 30, 2025 at OIST
Prepared to deliver presentations in English
During the two-day conference, you'll have multiple opportunities to showcase your startup:
Day One (Healthcare Focus)
Present your healthcare innovation during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your technology in the poster exhibition
Connect with investors during structured networking sessions
Attend the evening networking dinner in Naha
Day Two (Sustainability Focus)
Present your sustainability solution during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your innovation in the poster exhibition
Build relationships during networking sessions
Attend the concluding networking dinner
5
Conference Participation
September 29 & 30, 2025 at OIST
Prepared to deliver presentations in English
During the two-day conference, you'll have multiple opportunities to showcase your startup:
Day One (Healthcare Focus)
Present your healthcare innovation during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your technology in the poster exhibition
Connect with investors during structured networking sessions
Attend the evening networking dinner in Naha
Day Two (Sustainability Focus)
Present your sustainability solution during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your innovation in the poster exhibition
Build relationships during networking sessions
Attend the concluding networking dinner
5
Conference Participation
September 29 & 30, 2025 at OIST
Prepared to deliver presentations in English
During the two-day conference, you'll have multiple opportunities to showcase your startup:
Day One (Healthcare Focus)
Present your healthcare innovation during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your technology in the poster exhibition
Connect with investors during structured networking sessions
Attend the evening networking dinner in Naha
Day Two (Sustainability Focus)
Present your sustainability solution during talk sessions
Participate in pitch sessions (if selected among the 10 presenters)
Showcase your innovation in the poster exhibition
Build relationships during networking sessions
Attend the concluding networking dinner
Logistics Information
The conference will be held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) on September 29 & 30, 2025
A welcome dinner will be held in Naha on September 28 (the evening before the conference)
On the day of the event, transportation will be provided from Naha Airport/hotels to OIST by shuttle bus
Please arrange your own travel and accommodation to Okinawa
A portion of travel expenses may be supported through an honorarium
Logistics Information
The conference will be held at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) on September 29 & 30, 2025
A welcome dinner will be held in Naha on September 28 (the evening before the conference)
On the day of the event, transportation will be provided from Naha Airport/hotels to OIST by shuttle bus
Please arrange your own travel and accommodation to Okinawa
A portion of travel expenses may be supported through an honorarium
Application Deadline is July 31
Apply now to join a carefully curated group of founders and funders at Startup Elevate 2025. This is your chance to connect, collaborate, and grow on a global stage. Applications close July 31.
Brought to you by
We are a seed-stage venture capital firm, backing world-class entrepreneurs in deeptech for human and planetary health.
Partner of Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology
Brought to you by
We are a seed-stage venture capital firm, backing world-class entrepreneurs in deeptech for human and planetary health.
Partner of Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology
Brought to you by
We are a seed-stage venture capital firm, backing world-class entrepreneurs in deeptech for human and planetary health.
Partner of Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology
Brought to you by
We are a seed-stage venture capital firm, backing world-class entrepreneurs in deeptech for human and planetary health.
Partner of Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology