TechCrunch is heading to Tokyo — and bringing the Startup Battlefield with it

TechCrunch is partnering with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, Asia’s largest global innovation conference, taking place April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight. TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield program manager will be a judge for the SusHi Tech Challenge, the conference’s flagship global pitch competition.

The winner of the SusHi Tech Challenge Grand Prix will be automatically entered into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200, offering a chance to pitch on a prominent stage.

What is SusHi Tech Tokyo?

SusHi Tech Tokyo, short for Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo, is in its fourth year and has become the largest innovation conference in Asia. It attracts startups, investors, corporate partners, and city leaders globally. The 2026 event is expected to feature 750 startup exhibitors from 60 countries, over 10,000 facilitated business meetings, and an estimated 60,000 attendees.

The conference, organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, aims to foster innovation for sustainable cities. The expo floor will host 62 corporate partners, including Sony, Google, Microsoft, and Mizuho, who will be conducting reverse pitches and seeking startup collaborations.

Four domains at the frontier

SusHi Tech 2026 will focus on four key technology domains: AI, Robotics, Resilience, and Entertainment. The event will feature live demonstrations of humanoid robots, discussions on the software revolution in autonomous driving, insights into cyber defense and climate tech, and conversations about AI's impact on the music and anime industries.

Notable speakers include Howard Wright (Nvidia), Rob Chu (AWS), Eva Chen (Trend Micro), Qasar Younis (Applied Intuition), Christine Tsai (500 Global), Kathy Matsui (MPower Partners), and Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike.

The SusHi Tech Challenge

The pitch competition received 820 applications from 60 countries. Twenty semifinalists will compete on April 27, with seven finalists advancing to the final on April 28. The Grand Prix winner will receive ¥10,000,000 and automatic entry into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200.

Beyond the stage

The conference includes the G-NETS Leaders Summit, where city leaders from 49 cities will discuss climate resilience and urban sustainability. Corporate partners will host reverse pitches on the expo floor. The event also features cultural activities like classical music performances and networking events.

Before you go, download the app

The official SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 Official app offers AI-powered matching for startups, investors, and partners, along with meeting booking capabilities. It also provides a GPS floor map, QR business card exchange, and real-time notifications.