Startup
FESTIVAL#3
Upcoming Events
April
- 30th (Wed)
-
Keihanna Expo Global Startup PoC Challenge
Yumeshima Main Venue (Startup PoC presentations, etc.)
July
- 25th (Fri)
-
Startup Fest
Keihanna Plaza
・PoC results presentations, pitch sessions, etc.
September
- 30th (Tue)
-
Keihanna Expo Global Startup PoC Challenge
Yumeshima Main Venue
Startups, universities, companies, and support organizations from Japan and abroad will gather in Keihanna Science City! They will showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovative ideas, highlighting the forefront of solutions to societal challenges.
Keihanna Science City is a hub of international collaboration, equipped with an environment where cutting-edge technologies and ideas can be tested in real-world settings. Leveraging this unique strength, we will host a co-creation event that brings together startups, companies, universities, government organizations, support institutions, students, and local community members from both Japan and abroad.
A diverse lineup of programs will be offered, including startup pitches and demonstration case studies tackling social issues, student-led proposal contests, and reverse pitches from major corporations—designed to encourage everyone to participate as a stakeholder and think about the future together. At the exhibition and hands-on booths, visitors can engage with cutting-edge technologies and solutions, experiencing the potential of co-creation firsthand.
Join us for a day full of inspiring encounters and fresh ideas!
Stage Program
- Presentations on the outcomes of social implementation challenges by startups
- Pitches by overseas startups aiming to enter the Japanese market
- “Reverse pitches” by major corporations seeking co-creation partners
- Japan–Taiwan student contest for solving social issues, and more
For details on the program and exhibition/demonstrations, click here
Exhibitions & Hands-on Demonstrations
- “Validate”: Exhibits and demos from startups that conducted social implementation challenges in Keihanna
- “Nurture”: Overseas startups currently participating in Keihanna’s startup support programs present their cutting-edge technologies
Avatronics (Acoustics, Switzerland),BioAro (Healthcare, Canada),Carbelim (Sustainability, UAE),Smart Resilin (Materials, Israel)
- “Create”: Mixed teams of students from Taiwan and Japan present proposals to revitalize local areas facing severe population decline and aging demographics
- “Support”: Exhibits from institutions supporting startups and entrepreneurs
Japan Finance Corporation,Kyoto Industrial Support Organization 21,Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture
For details on the program and exhibition/demonstrations, click here
“PoC-Friendly City” Keihanna
Keihanna Science City is a “PoC-friendly city” where proof-of-concept (PoC) initiatives—including demonstrations of cutting-edge technology and assessments of social acceptability—are actively pursued to realize a human-centric smart city for future generations.
With advanced technology testing facilities at the Keihanna Open Innovation Center (KICK) and the Keihanna Plaza Lab Building, along with various support functions (both hardware and software) such as “Club Keihanna”—where residents interested in participating in PoCs and workshops can register—and coordinators who provide hands-on support to startups and entrepreneurs undertaking PoC projects, Keihanna offers a robust environment for innovation.
Keihanna Global Startup PoC Challenge (KPoC)
At the Keihanna Expo, under the banner of the “Keihanna Global Startup PoC Challenge (KPoC),” startups from Japan and around the world gather to implement PoCs for cutting-edge technologies that contribute to future society, with their outcomes broadcast globally from Keihanna and Yumeshima.
Startups from Three Countries/Regions Tackling Challenges Using Keihanna’s Assets
In October 2024, 10 finalist companies from five countries/regions were selected from a pool of 19 companies representing eight countries/regions and participated in the final selection meeting held at the Kyoto Smart City Expo. Ultimately, six companies from three countries/regions, implementing four PoCs, were chosen.
Experience Local Challenges and Solutions Through VR
Harnessing Residents’ Voices for the Future
- Experience local challenges and solutions using VR technology
- Provide highly realistic feedback to local governments
“An Advanced Resident-Participatory Approach to Solving Local Challenges”
Implementing Startup: OVA (Canada)
Target Local Challenge: Agritourism in Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture
Participants: Wazuka Town Hall, Tea Farmers
Conversion of CO2 and Green Hydrogen into Liquid Fuel and Demonstration of Its Fuel Cell Utilization
Demonstrating the conversion of hydrogen gas—which is difficult to transport and store—into a convenient liquid fuel called “methanol water,” and proving the effectiveness of fuel cells using synthesized methanol.
- Implementing Startup:：ECEP (Keihanna)
- Venue: Laboratory at the Keihanna Open Innovation Center (KICK)
Detection of Frailty and Promotion of Healthy Living Using Smart Activity Sensors
A model is being tested in which newly developed, privacy-protecting sensors are installed in approximately 30 households to encourage healthy routines, detect early signs of low activity, and enhance participants’ health awareness, thereby enabling seniors to live independently.
- Implementing Startup: AltumView (Canada)
- Participants: Elderly members of “Club Keihanna”
- Venue: Members’ Homes
Health Insights at the Gym: Three Innovative Measurement Techniques
Evaluating the feasibility of health services at a training gym using the latest measurement technologies.
- A Challenge for Maintaining Vitality: Assessing the effectiveness of a sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) prevention menu through sweat analysis
- Towards a Pain-Free Daily Life: Evaluating the effectiveness of a training menu for preventing lower back pain and shoulder stiffness via foot sole imaging
- Training Evolved Through Science: Evaluating fitness effects as indicated by facial complexion
- Implementing Startups: PITTAN (Keihanna), Suntory Wellness (Keihanna, etc.), SG-AITEK (Taiwan)
- Participants: Members of participating gyms, local residents, and “Club Keihanna” members
- Venue: Conditioning Lab (Seika Town),Anytime Fitness Vierra Town Keihanna (Seika Town)
Coordinators with extensive technical expertise and experience have engaged in multiple discussions with startups, identified the optimal collaborators for each PoC, and have been preparing for several months to concretize the PoC plans together with the startups.
At the Keihanna Expo “Startup Fest,” you can experience ongoing PoCs, KGAP+, as well as initiatives in advanced medical care and mobility. Come and experience Keihanna’s distinctive strengths: its powerful research and development, its PoC-friendly environment with active resident participation, and its global connectivity.
