TechCrunch partners with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026Asia’s largest global innovation conference, taking place April 27-29 at Tokyo Big Sight. And we’re not just covering the event: our very own Startup Battlefield Program Manager, Isabelle Johannessen, will be on the ground as a judge for the SusHi Tech Challenge, the conference’s flagship global pitch competition.
For the winner, the stakes couldn’t be higher: the winner of the SusHi Tech Challenge Grand Prize will automatically be entered into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200, making them eligible to present on one of the most coveted stages in the startup world.
What is SusHi Tech Tokyo?
Now in its fourth year, SusHi Tech Tokyo — abbreviation of Theirsustainable High City Tech Tokyo has become the largest innovation conference in Asia, attracting startups, investors, corporate partners and civic leaders from around the world. This year’s edition is the largest to date: 750 startup exhibitors from 60 countries, more than 10,000 business meetings facilitated and 60,000 participants expected over three days.
The conference is organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government with a clear mission: to bring together the world’s best innovators to build the sustainable cities of the future.
At the expo site, 62 partner companies, including Sony, Google, Microsoft and Mizuho, are hosting reverse presentations and actively seeking startup collaborators, making it as much a live trading market as a conference. And the programming reflects this ambition.
Four areas on the border
SusHi Tech 2026 focuses on four technology areas that are reshaping society: AI, robotics, resilience and entertainment. Expect live demonstrations of humanoid robots, sessions on the autonomous driving software revolution, deep dives into cyber defense and climate technology, and candid conversations about how AI is rewriting the global music and anime industries.
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, among others. About 60% of speakers come from outside Japan and about half are women.
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The SusHi Tech challenge
The pitch competition attracted 820 applications from 60 countries and regions – 437 international and 383 Japanese. Twenty semi-finalists compete on April 27, seven finalists advance to the final on April 28, and one Grand Prize winner wins ¥10,000,000 and automatic entry into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200.
Beyond the stage
The conference extends well beyond the congress. Leaders from 49 cities across five continents – from Los Angeles to Nairobi to Singapore – are coming together for the G-NETS Leaders Summit to forge concrete commitments on climate resilience and urban sustainability. At the exhibition site, 62 partner companies, including Sony, Google, Microsoft and Mizuho, are holding reverse presentations and actively looking for startup collaborators.
And because we’re in Tokyo, the experience doesn’t stop at 6 p.m.: La Folle Journee’s classical music performances, waterfront cruises along Tokyo Bay, and the Tokyo Innovation NIGHTs networking series round out the program.
Before you go, download the app
The official SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 official app is your command center in the field. Even before you arrive, AI-powered matchmaking recommends suitable startups, investors and partners to connect with – and lets you reserve meeting rooms in advance. On site, a GPS map, QR business card exchange and real-time push notifications help you find your way around the vast Tokyo Big Sight site. Download for iOS Or Android.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 takes place April 27-29 at Tokyo Big Sight. Business days are April 27-28; The public day (free entry) is April 29.