Global Startup EXPO 2025 Takes Place

1. Background of Global Startup EXPO 2025

For the creation of startups that can achieve substantial growth both within and outside their home country, it is essential to globalize the entire startup ecosystem by helping startups expand their business overseas, attracting more capital and human resources from overseas and other similar efforts.

Deep tech startups can make unique contributions to the solution of a range of challenging issues faced by the international community with their innovative technologies, and creating new companies and industries that are backed by such technologies has the potential to drive the growth of the Japanese economy.

In particular, the Kansai region is home to top-tier universities, research institutions, and global companies that have advanced technologies. These entities are creating a variety of industrial infrastructures and innovations in the region.

In light of these facts, METI, jointly with the Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), hosted a global event titled Global Startup EXPO 2025 at the Exhibition Center (EXPO Messe WASSE) on Wednesday, September 17, and Thursday, September 18. It was planned under the theme statement “Shaping the Future with Startups―Co-creation to Break Through Global Challenges,“ and with the aim of offering support to deep tech startups and attracting more capital and human resources from overseas to Japan.

2. Outline

The two-day event ran 37 sessions in total, inviting a number of guest speakers, including: Michel Collins, CEO of Alumni Ventures (US); Andrew Schoen, NEA Partner (US); Jean Schmitt, CEO of Jolt Capital (France); and John Hartnett, CEO of SVG Ventures (US). They took the podium to present their expectations for Japan’s ecosystem development and intentions to invest in Japan in the future.

Also, a total of 145 startups set up booths and 118 made pitches, which significantly helped them build essential networks to grow business going forward. In addition, in areas around the venue, 42 side events were held by public and private groups, adding momentum to the whole event.

On September 17, Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru delivered an address, expressing his expectations for startups to drive industrial reform and regional revitalization initiatives.

On September 18, KATO Akiyoshi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, took the stage together with NAMBA Tomoko, Chair of the Committee on Startups in KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation), and TSUJI Yosuke, Vice Chairperson of KEIZAI DOYUKAI (Japan Association of Corporate Executives), to talk about measures and programs to support the growth of Japan’s startup ventures. Closing addresses were given by YOSHIMURA Hirofumi, Governor of Osaka Prefecture, and AKAZAWA Ryosei, Minister in Charge of Startups.

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3. Joint Statement Signed by METI, JETRO and Berkeley SkyDeck

On September 17, OGUSHI Masaki, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, ISHIGURO Norihiko, Chairman of JETRO, and Caroline Winnett, Executive Director of Berkeley SkyDeck (US), signed the joint statement to build a long-term-oriented international innovation corridor between Japan and the United States with the aim of accelerating processes for social implementation of academic research results and next-generation technologies in the deep-tech sector and facilitating the growth of startups. The relevant commemoration ceremony took place within the venue.

Related website

• Global Startup EXPO 2025 to be Hosted at the Expo Venue Welcoming Stakeholders in the Deep Tech Startup Ecosystem from around the World - for the First Time (June 17, 2025)

Division in Charge

Innovation and Startup Promotion Division, Innovation and Environment Policy Bureau