15 Overseas Creative Tech Startups Using AI, VR, and VFX to Pitch! 'OSAKA SPRINGBOARD 2026 UK Edition' to be Held

OSAKA SPRINGBOARD is a program that supports overseas startups viewing the Osaka/Kansai market as a strategic base by accelerating their entry into the Japanese market and improving the certainty of their business negotiations.

By creating an environment where startups and talent from around the world gather in Osaka, we aim to revitalize the economy of the Kansai region and, consequently, Japan as a whole.

For this edition, we have welcomed 'London & Partners', a startup support organization based in London, UK, as a collaboration partner. Creative tech startups active in utilizing advanced technologies such as AI, VR, VFX, and holographics will take the stage. We will host a pitch session and a networking event featuring 15 companies aiming for further scale-up.

We invite large and mid-sized companies considering business collaboration and co-creation with overseas startups, as well as VCs, CVCs, and financial institutions looking for investment opportunities, to participate.

[OSAKA SPRINGBOARD 2026 - UK Edition Meet with British Startups! Creative Tech - Overview]

◆ Date and Time

Monday, June 15, 2026, 9:00 - 12:30

◆ Venue

Osaka Innovation Hub

https://www.innovation-osaka.jp/ja/oih/about/access/

* The first half, 'Closed Session: Understanding the Osaka/Kansai Startup Ecosystem', is by invitation only and restricted to relevant parties.

* Only the second half, 'Open Session: Pitch Event', is scheduled for online streaming via webinar (hybrid format). A viewing link will be sent to those who request online viewing by the day before the event.

◆ Target Audience

- Large and mid-sized companies considering business collaboration and co-creation with startups

(Japanese companies interested in overseas startups)

- Investors, VCs, CVCs, and financial institutions looking for startups to invest in

- Government agencies and local municipalities

* Participation for sales purposes is prohibited.

* We reserve the right to decline applications from individuals deemed outside the scope of the program.

◆ Program

<First Half> Closed Session (Invitation Only) [Understanding the Osaka/Kansai Startup Ecosystem]

9:00 Doors Open

9:10 Opening

9:15 Ecosystem Introduction

9:35 Discussion and Q&A

10:00 Closing and Break

<Second Half> Open Session (General Registration Open / Hybrid Format) [Pitch Event] 10:10 Doors Open / Registration

10:20 OSAKA SPRINGBOARD Program Introduction

Greetings by the British Consul General in Osaka (Scheduled)

10:35 Startup Pitches Part 1

11:05 Break

11:10 Startup Pitches Part 2

11:40 Networking

12:30 Event Concludes

◆ Information on Related Event On the evening of the same day, a networking event 'Europe Night #3: UK Edition', hosted by the Umekita Future Innovation Agency (U-FINO), will be held. Interaction with the startups that pitched at 'OSAKA SPRINGBOARD 2026' is also planned.

'Europe Night' is a networking event based at Grand Green Osaka (JAM BASE), aimed at creating new co-creation opportunities through direct interaction and the sharing of technology and information among European and Japanese entrepreneurs, investors, companies, and researchers.

[ Europe Night #3: UK Edition Event Overview (Scheduled) ]

◆ Date and Time Monday, June 15, 2026, 19:00 - 21:00

◆ Venue Time Out Market Osaka ( https://www.timeout.jp/time-out-market-osaka/ja )

◆ Participation Fee 1,000 JPY (includes light snacks and 1 drink) ◆ Application Method Participants of 'OSAKA SPRINGBOARD 2026' can also apply for 'Europe Night #3: UK Edition' through the same program's application form. For those wishing to attend only 'Europe Night #3: UK Edition', please apply via the following URL. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB9HV6mcYsJuomf0PkNV8Db_93r8XCKZTN73Wcrr9A3Eu