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  5. Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025 Held as the First Event of ASEAN-JAPAN Fast Track Pitch 2025

Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025 Held as the First Event of ASEAN-JAPAN Fast Track Pitch 2025

January 15, 2026

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), co-organizing with the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, Economic Development Board, and Enterprise Singapore, held the Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025 in Singapore to accelerate global open innovation of Japanese companies, startups, and SMEs.

1. Overview

METI and JETRO, co-organizing with the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, Economic Development Board, and Enterprise Singapore, held the Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025 in Singapore on Tuesday, January 14.

In front of about 250 participants (about 160 in-person and 90 online), 20 finalists from Japan, Singapore, and other countries presented their proposals on the open innovation challenges provided by the seven challenge owners.

Prior to the presentations, Mr. AKAZAWA Ryosei, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, and Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower of Singapore, gave the opening remarks, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation for the creation of innovation between the two countries.

2. Pitch session by the finalists

During the application period, about 110 proposals from all over the world were submitted to the challenges provided by the seven challenge owner companies from Japan and Singapore. From among these, 20 finalists selected by the challenge owners presented their proposals.

Please refer to JETRO’s special website for the detailed challenge statements and finalists.

3. Schedule of future events

4. (Reference) About the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative

Overview

Taking the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation in 2023, METI and JETRO launched the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative to support the creation of open innovation through collaborations among startups, SMEs, and large corporations from both ASEAN and Japan. This initiative proposes a new format of cooperation with ASEAN countries to create new innovations.

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Under the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative, startups and SMEs from ASEAN and Japan will have the opportunity to (1) receive support not only from Japanese organizations such as JETRO, but also from the government agencies of ASEAN countries, and (2) access not only large Japanese corporations but also a wide range of innovation ecosystems, including global companies based in ASEAN.

Division in Charge

Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau