Startup World Cup 2026 Kyushu Regional Preliminaries Confirmed for Kumamoto Castle Hall

From Kyushu to the World: Startup World Cup 2026 Kyushu Preliminaries Announced

Pegasus Tech Ventures has announced that the Kyushu regional preliminaries for the Startup World Cup 2026—one of the world's largest business pitch contests held across more than 130 countries and regions—will take place on October 6, 2026, at Kumamoto Castle Hall. This event serves as the final qualifying round among the three preliminaries held in Japan.

A Celebration of Regional Innovation Featuring Distinguished Guests

To drive the revitalization of the Kyushu region, top leaders from local governments, financial institutions, educational bodies, and corporations will gather at the event. Key speakers include Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura, Kumamoto Mayor Kazufumi Onishi, Yoshihisa Kasahara from The Higo Bank, and Yoshiyuki Sankai from CYBERDYNE Inc., all lending their support to foster innovation originating from the region.

Fierce Pitch Battle Among 10 Finalists

Ten finalists, selected from approximately 250 applicants, will take the stage to compete for a single spot in the global grand finale. In addition to the main pitch competition, the event will feature "1-minute speeches" by local companies and a "Youth Pitch" by students. Attendees can also look forward to booth exhibitions by prominent companies, a special seminar by Anis Uzzaman, and an exclusive networking party.

A Gateway for Startups Aiming at the Global Stage

The winning company of this regional preliminary will advance to the global grand finale in San Francisco, USA, competing against representatives from around the world for a grand prize of $1 million USD (approx. 150 million JPY). For startups, this represents a premier opportunity to secure funding and establish strategic business partnerships with major corporations.