News & Updates

JETRO and METI Holding “Startup Horizon 2024” to Showcase Japan’s Startup Ecosystem 20+ Global Investors will join the event to explore Kansai startup ecosystem

Sep 19, 2024

Startup Horizon 2024 - Countdown to Global Startup EXPO 2025 Event -Friday, November 15, 2024

Osaka, Japan – September 19, 2024 – The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is excited to announce “Startup Horizon 2024,” which will showcase the startup ecosystem in Osaka and the Kansai region to a global audience. The event, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and METI-Kansai, will take place in November. It will serve as a prelude to “Global Startup EXPO 2025 (GSE2025)” being held at the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025.
The event will feature keynote speeches from top global investors including Blitzscaling Ventures, SOSV, as well as other international guests. Panel sessions will cover deep tech areas such as life sciences, biotech, and cleantech,, aligning with the Expo’s theme of creating and fostering innovative solutions to global issues.
A networking event, held in collaboration with Osaka Prefecture, will follow the main event, giving attendees an opportunity to learn about the latest trends, market developments, and to build international partnerships.

Event Details
Date Friday, November 15, 2024
Time 14:30-18:45 (Networking 18:50-20:20)
Program Highlights (Subject to change)
  • Keynote Speech: “Global Cutting-Edge Technology Trends from Top VC’s Perspective” by Blitzscaling Ventures and others
  • Panel Discussion 1: Kansai's Path Forward: Building a World-Class Biotech Hub
  • Panel Discussion 2: Harnessing Hard Tech for Climate Change Solutions: Innovations and Impact
  • Panel Discussion 3: Attractiveness of the Japanese Market from the Viewpoint of Overseas VCs and Expectations for the Kansai Area
  • GSE2025 Promotion：Introduction of initiatives from universites in Kansai region
  • Kansai Startup Pitch 1: Life Science/Biotech
  • Kansai Startup Pitch 2: Cleantech/Climate Tech
  • Networking Event (Joint event with Osaka Prefecture)
Special Event Website Special Event WebsiteExternal site: a new window will open.
We will provide info…
Details will be on the special event website soon
About Related Events “JAPAN INNOVATION WEEK” will be held concurrently to promote collaboration between Japanese startups and global investors.
For more information, see this websiteExternal site: a new window will open..

Startup Division, Innovation Department, JETRO
Tel: +813-3582-5770
E-Mail: JHUB@jetro.go.jp