for Startups, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuichiro Shimizu), a company promoting Japan’s growth industry ecosystem, has announced the release of the full program for “GRIC2025”, a large-scale conference connecting Japan’s growth industries with the world, taking place from Tuesday, November 11 to Thursday, November 13.
Now in its sixth year, GRIC2025 is one of Japan’s largest conferences under the theme “Bridging Japan’s Startup Ecosystem to the Global Stage.” The three-day hybrid event will feature both online sessions via EventHub and offline sessions at Shibuya Hikarie Hall. The total number of registered participants has already surpassed 10,000.
Attendance at the offline venue is free but requires advance registration, with a limited number of tickets available.
DAY 1: Tuesday, November 11 — Online Only
Eight online sessions will cover startup growth strategies, sales and marketing insights, and national and space industries.
Pick-up Sessions
Format: Online (EventHub)
[Full session list here]
DAY 2: Wednesday, November 12 — Online Only
Eight sessions featuring investor analyses of future trends, the relationship between banks and startups, M&A practices, and discussions on what it truly takes to scale globally.
Pick-up Sessions
Format: Online (EventHub)
[Full session list here]
DAY 3: Thursday, November 13 — Hybrid (Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall & EventHub)
Offline Sessions
Three simultaneous stages will host live discussions:
- GRIC STAGE – the main stage of the conference.
- SKY STAGE – located near the venue entrance, drawing immediate attention from attendees.
- FIRESIDE CHAT – an intimate, closed stage designed for casual, conversational sessions resembling a talk around a campfire.
Pick-up Sessions
Format: Hybrid (Offline: Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall / Online: EventHub)
[Session schedule here]
GRIC PITCH (with Online Broadcast)
A pitch contest offering startups the opportunity to go global. Over 120 judges from Japan and abroad will award selected startups with sponsor prizes and GO GLOBAL PRIZES, providing international exposure and support. All pitches will include simultaneous English interpretation and global streaming. Startups will compete under three themes:
- Climate Tech & Resilience
- Frontier Tech
- Uprising Digital
Winners will be selected for:
- Grand Prize – highest overall evaluation
- Theme Awards – one per theme
- Go Global Prize – for companies selected as Go Global Partners
- Sponsor Prizes – presented by participating sponsors
Format: Hybrid (Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall & EventHub)
Time: Theme 1 – 11:30 / Theme 2 – 14:00 / Theme 3 – 15:30
[Details here]
SPEED DATING (Offline Only)
Connecting startups with investors and corporates is essential for accelerating growth.
At SPEED DATING, held offline on November 13, founders can have wall-bashing consultations with 23 investors and corporate partners without prior booking.
Participants may choose to speak with VCs (for pure investment) or CVCs (for collaboration-oriented support) according to their goals.
Participation in GRIC2025 is required.
Format: Offline (Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall “Speed Dating Area”)Time: 10:30–17:45
Eligible Participants: Those who select “Startup” under “Affiliation/Category” in the free registration form
[Details here]
Partner List
Tickets — Still Available
Offline Ticket (Day 3)
- Admission to Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall on November 13 (Thu).
- Includes access to all online sessions on Nov 11–12 via EventHub.
Online Ticket (Day 1–3)
- Access to all online sessions (Nov 11–13) and select Day 3 livestreams.
[Register here]
Event Overview
- Event Name: GRIC2025
- Dates:
- Nov 11 (Tue) Online 10:00–18:00
- Nov 12 (Wed) Online 10:00–18:00
- Nov 13 (Thu) Hybrid 10:00–19:00
- (Schedule subject to change)
- Venue: Hybrid (Online: EventHub / Offline: Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall)
- Admission: Free (pre-registration required)
- Official Hashtag: #GRIC2025
- Official Website: GRIC2025 Website
About GRIC (Growth Industry Conference)
GRIC is Japan's largest hybrid global conference and community dedicated to growth industries. Talks in January 2021, the first conference was held fully online, and from the second edition, all sessions have been bilingual (Japanese-English). The fifth edition, GRIC2024, was held as the first hybrid (online + offline) event, won over 11,000 registered employees from 63 countries. GRIC aims as both a global stage for top-tier ecosystem builders and a community hub for challengers driving innovation and growth.
