ON&BOARD Hosts "SWISH! Startup Camp 2026" in Karuizawa, Bringing Together 250 Ecosystem Leaders
Event Overview
ON&BOARD Co., Ltd. recently hosted "SWISH! Startup Camp 2026," a two-day retreat held on September 26 and 27, 2026, in the resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The event attracted approximately 250 participants, representing a diverse cross-section of the innovation landscape, including startup founders, venture capitalists (VC/CVC), corporate executives, academics, and government officials.
Conference Theme and Programming
The central theme of the camp was "Returning to Your 'Why' for Two Days." Moving beyond traditional networking and business card exchanges, the program was meticulously designed to encourage participants to rediscover the original motivations behind their ventures. This was achieved through immersive team-building activities, deep-dive dialogues with industry pioneers, and active learning sessions. A centerpiece of the event was the "SWISH! Mountain: Founders' Climb 2026" pitch competition, which featured eight high-potential startups. AssetHub Inc. was crowned the winner of this year's competition.
Community Vision and Design Philosophy
Set against the backdrop of rapid AI evolution and shifting global dynamics, SWISH! focused on facilitating authentic human connections that transcend organizational titles and professional ranks. By creating an atmosphere conducive to intimate dialogue—akin to conversations shared around a campfire—the event aimed to foster a robust community. This approach is intended to lay the groundwork for long-term collaborations and investment relationships that continue to thrive long after the camp concludes.
Looking Ahead
The new connections forged during the conference are expected to catalyze concrete business developments and strategic partnerships within the ecosystem. ON&BOARD remains committed to scaling the startup landscape and empowering the next generation of innovators. The company will continue these efforts through its various media initiatives and its dedicated incubation program, "Out of BOUNDS."