Applications for JETRO's Global Startup EXPO 2026 Exhibition Support Program Open

Jul 08, 2024


The Global Startup EXPO 2026 (GSE), which will run from 5-7 October 2026, is an international deeptech event that brings startups, investors, and corporations together in Osaka for collaboration, investment, and industrial deployment. It is the second edition of the event, with the first held at Expo 2025 Osaka.

In conjunction with the GSE, JETRO will be inviting 20 of our Invest Japan / J-Bridge program members to exhibit at the event. Selected members will have a complimentary exhibition space and opportunities to network with major Japanese corporations, universities and research institutions, other startups, venture capital firms and investors, and startup support organisations.


Event Details


Dates: 5th (Mon) – 7th (Wed) October 2026
*Exhibition Period: 6th – 7th October 2026.
*A life sciences pre-event and networking reception will be held 5th October by the GSE Executive Committee.


Venue: Congres Convention Center, Osaka

Organiser: Global Startup EXPO 2026 Executive Committee

Co-organisers: METI, Kansai METI, JETRO, NEDO

Focus Areas: AI and Advanced Robotics, Semiconductors and Communications, Quantum Technologies, Biotechnology and Healthcare, Space Technologies, Fusion Energy

Expenses covered: Exhibitor passes (number of passes to be distributed TBD), standard exhibition booth and basic booth equipment
*We won’t be covering the costs of additional booth equipment, shipping and transportation of exhibits, interpretation services, and travel-related expenses.


General information on the GSE and JETRO's program ＜PDF＞ (846KB) 

Pitch Contest


Separate from JETRO's Exhibition Support Program, we would also like to share additional information on the pitch contest being hosted by the GSE Executive Committee, the DeepTech Frontier Challenge 2026.


Date & Time: Tuesday (afternoon), 6 October 2026

Venue: 4F Knowledge Theater, North Building, Grand Front Osaka

Language: English

Eligibility Requirements: Further details can be found on the GSE website.

Applications can be made via the GSE website and close Friday, 17 July 2026.


*This pitch contest application is separate from the Exhibition Support Program. As such, companies wishing to participate in both must apply for each separately.
*The exhibition screening and the pitch contest selection will be conducted independently:
    • Exhibition screening: conducted by JETRO
    • Pitch contest selection: conducted by the GSE Executive Committee Secretariat
*It is possible for a company to be selected for the pitch but not for exhibition, or vice versa.
*Being selected for the pitch contest does not provide any advantage in the Exhibition Support Program screening process.


How to Apply


For those interested in participating in the Exhibition Support Program, the application details are as follows:

Application Form: https://www.jetro.go.jp/form5/pub/ive/gse2026application

Application Deadline: Monday, 20 July 2026 (JST)
*Applicants will be notified about selection results early August.

Eligibility Criteria:

  1. The applicant must be a startup operating in the deep tech sector.
  2. The business must align with the target fields of GSE 2026 (AI & Advanced Robotics, Semiconductors & Communications, Quantum, Bio & Healthcare, Space, and Fusion Energy).
    *Other growth areas are also eligible; however, priority will be given to the six fields listed above.
  3. The applicant must have products or services that can be exhibited.
  4. The applicant must be able to exhibit at the booth and engage in business meetings throughout the two-days exhibition period (6-7 October 2026).
  5. The applicant must assign staff capable of conducting business meetings in either Japanese or English (JETRO will not arrange interpreters).
  6. Following the event, the applicant must submit a report by the deadline specified by the GSE Executive Committee, including exhibition results, business meeting status, matching outcomes, and any other required information.
  7. The applicant must be a company considering entering the Japanese market or collaborating with Japanese companies.
    * Companies that have already established a business entity in Japan are also eligible to apply; however,
    priority will be given to those without an existing base in Japan.


Selection Criteria:

  1. Whether the product/technology has a competitive advantage in the Japanese market and can be
    clearly differentiated from competitors.
  2. Able to exhibit concrete products or services at a booth.
  3. (For companies considering entry into Japan) If the product/technology requires regulatory approvals or licenses in Japan, whether such approvals have been obtained. Priority will also be given to overseas startups that have a strong interest in collaboration with Japanese companies and are considering entering Japan within approximately two years (by FY2027).
  4. (For companies considering collaboration with Japanese companies) Priority will be given to startups that possess innovative technologies or services and are concretely pursuing collaboration with Japanese companies.



For any questions or queries, please contact JETRO Sydney by email: syd-bd@jetro.go.jp