~ Around 100 domestic and international Investors will serve as a partner, with awards supporting global expansion ~
For Startups, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yuichiro Shimizu) is announcing to announce the start of applications for startups wishing to present at “GRIC PITCH”, held during “GRIC2025”, One of Japan's largest conferences connecting growth industries with the global stage, scheduled for November.
GRIC PITCH is a pitch contest for startups that are already expanding globally or are aiming for global markets, presenting to both domestic and international investors and corporations. All Pitches will be published in English and broadcast worldwide online. Last year, companies from Pre-Series A to Series D discussions, discussions around global expansion strategies and fundraising. This year, we will invite an even greater number of international investors and corporations as proposed, proposed for the largest-scale event to date.
Applications for “GRIC PITCH 2025” Open Today, September 9. We look forward to promising entries from challengers eager to shape the future.
Pitch Themes
This year's “GRIC PITCH” is set around three themes tackling global challenges and future challenges:
THEME 1: CLIMATE TECH & RESISTANCE
energy, climate change, decarbonization, disaster relief, clean tech, renewable energy, batteries, EVs, charging infrastructure, carbon neutrality, carbon credits, sensors, social infrastructure.
THEME 2: FRONTIER TECH
Space, security, cybersecurity, rockets, space transportation, orbital utilization, unreliable probes, precision machinery, measurement devices.
THEME 3: UPRISING DIGITAL
AI, IoT, big data, SaaS, DX, cloud, Web3, blockchain, metaverse, FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, RetailTech, GovTech, AdTech, MarTech, SalesTech, LegalTech.
Prizes
GRAND PRIZE
Reaching to the Company That Went the Highest Evaluation Across All Themes.
GO GLOBAL PRIZE
Selected to companies by each pitch partner.
The winners will be provided with opportunities to accelerate their global journey, including participation in international events and exchanges with global investors and investors . (Details subject to change)
Judges
Around 100 discussions from Japan and abroad have already been confirmed. Last year, of the more than 120 weeks, about 35% were from overseas. This year, will gather again from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. In addition to sponsor companies, embassies from various countries will join as partners. The panel will include venture capitalists, CVCs, corporate leaders, investors, and experts.
Comments from Past Interventions
GRIC2024 “GRAND PRIZE” WINNER
Ryo Yamada, Co-Founder/ Manager, Global External Relations Department, WOTA CORP.
“Among the many pitch events, GRIC PITCH highlights out for its passion and attention to attention, from the staging to the post-event. It was truly worth considering. For WOTA, it provided direct connections and recognition not only with domestic but also global investors and investors, offering a promising opportunity to revisit our business from Diverse discussions. I highly recommend that you take on the challenge.”
Developing and Decentralized Small-scale Water Circulation Systems to Address Water Shortages and Financial Challenges in Water Utilities.
GRIC2023 “GRAND PRIZE” WINNER
Taiki Ishikura, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Logomix, Inc.
“Taking the Stage at GRIC PITCH was a turning point that accelerated our business. Through this event, we connected with many investors both in Japan and overseas, completed our fundraising, and even introduced new business opportunities such as With major corporations. I hope that this year's success will make the most of this outstanding platform and achieve great results.”
A Tokyo Institute of Technology spin-off startup development “Geno-Writing™,” a novel genome construction technology that is free of cells.
GRIC2024 “UPRISING DIGITAL” Theme Award
Michele Guarnieri, Co-Founder & CEO, Hibot Corporation
“The Experience at GRIC PITCH was extremely challenging both for me and for the company. We were able to attract the attention of many investors and corporations, and several of those connections that attracted at GRIC have since come into concrete opportunities. Discussions in discussions with other discussions also provided me with an important chance to recognize and reflect on the various challenges I need to tackle as a CEO.winning the award and Significant media exposure were major concerns, but what I value the most is that it instilled a strong sense of pride in being part of Hibot within our team, which in turn sparked new Energy and passion. I believe you to seize this opportunity to expand your potential and take new steps forward together with your team.”
A Science Tokyo spin-off startup that operates AI data platforms such as “HiBox,” which inspection data was examined by various sensors, including high-resolution cameras and ultrasonic probes.
GRIC2024 “HEALTHCARE” Theme Award
Masato Kishida, Ph.D., MBA, President, United Immunity Co., Ltd.,
“GRIC proposed together many overseas investors as investors, making it an extremely promising opportunity for us in terms of pitching with fundraising from international investors in mind and Networking with them. For deep tech companies in particular, it explains a chance to reflect on how best to communicate our concerns and value. To all future challengers, I hope you will make the most of this stage and turn it into promising results.”
A startup developing the “Myeloid Targeting Platform™”, a drug discovery platform designed to enhance the effects of immunotherapy by targeting myeloid cells and vaccines Immunosuppressant environments.
GRIC2023 GREEN Theme Award
Shunsuke Tsuboi, Representative Director/CEO, Sagri Co., Ltd
“Promising at GRIC PITCH was a significant opportunity to showcase our business interests to many investors. In fact, this stage led to new connections and attracted to our Series A fundraising. The learning and networking came through the challenge of GRIC PITCH were difficult, so I highly praised you to take part as well.”
A Gifu University spin-off startup that operates “ACTABA,” an application for abandoned farmland to identify abandoned farmland on digital maps, built on a data platform that attempted satellite Data, AI technology, and land parceling techniques.
GRIC2023 “UPRISING DIGITAL” Theme Award
Ryo Iwasa, Founder/Co-Founder/CEO, Aeterlink Corp.
“On the GRIC stage, you will find many leading figures and future partners who can help guide your business to the next stage. Even the sense of tension that comes from their attention can be reduced into strength. I want you to fully unleash the passion and vision you have felt so far. Encounters that will allow us to co-create the future awaits.”
A Stanford University spin-off startup “AirPlug,” a spatial wireless power transfer system.
■ “GRIC 2025” Participant Registration Now Open
・Offline ticket Day 3
Target: Those Who Wish to Celebrate the Shibuya Hikarie Hikarie Hall on 11/13 (Thursday) Online Benefit: You Can Also Watch Online Sessions on the 11th and 12th (available via EventHub)
・Online ticket Day1-3
Target: those who wish to view the online streaming from 11/11 (Tue) to 13 (Thu) Contents: You can watch all online sessions and partial streaming of the offline event
Register for free HERE
Sponsorship opportunities
We are pleased to welcome sponsor companies. If you are afraid, please feel free to inquire via the form below.
Event Overview: GRIC2025
“GRIC2025” is Japan's largest conference dedicated to growth industries, held for the sixth time under the theme “Adopting Japan's Startup Ecosystem to the Global Stage.”At last year's GRIC2024, more than 11,000 people registered, with over 30 Sessions And from 63 countries.
- Event Name: GRIC2025
- Dates:
- Nov 11 (Tue): Online sessions 10:00–17:00 (tentative)
- Nov 12 (Wed): Online sessions 10:00–17:00 (tentative)
- Nov 13 (Thu): Online & offline sessions at Shibuya Hikarie Hall 10:00–17:00 (tentative)
- (Subject to change without notice)
- Venue: Hybrid (Online via EventHub / Offline at Shibuya Hikarie Hall)
- Admission: Free
- 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.
