Held "Open Innovation 2026"

Kiraboshi Bank, Ltd. (President & CEO Toshinobu Watanabe, hereinafter "Kiraboshi Bank"), which aims to be "the bank for startups," held an open innovation and networking event for large, medium, and small enterprises, co-hosted with Higashi-Nippon Bank, Ltd. (President & CEO Kazuhiro Sukegawa, hereinafter "Higashi-Nippon Bank"), with the goal of open innovation with companies recommended by both banks to NIKKEI THE PITCH.

On the day of the event, startups recommended by both banks to the national final of the pitch run (※) "NIKKEI THE PITCH" organized by Nikkei Inc. presented, and networking opportunities were provided for partner companies of both banks, with 76 companies (99 people) participating.

※ "Pitch Run" is a presentation of business content and vision in a short period of time.

Pitch Networking Session

Event Overview

▼Title

Open Innovation 2026

▼Date and Time

July 7, 2026 (Tue) 13:00-16:00

▼Venue

Tokyo Innovation Base (SQUARE 1 1F, 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

▼Content

- About the NIKKEI THE PITCH Initiative

Nikkei Inc.

- Presentations by Companies Recommended for NIKKEI THE PITCH

10 companies

- Keynote Speech

Sourcing Brothers, Inc.

- Networking with Participating Companies

▼Number of Participants

76 companies (99 people)

▼Organizers

Kiraboshi Bank, Higashi-Nippon Bank

▼Cooperation

NIKKEI THE PITCH Executive Office, Sourcing Brothers, Inc.

▼Sponsorship

Kiraboshi Capital Co., Ltd.

▼Operation

Kiraboshi Consulting Co., Ltd.

Each Bank's Initiatives for Startup Support

- In November 2021, Kiraboshi Bank opened "KicSpace HANEDA," an incubation facility in HICity, and supports startups by providing functions for collaboration with large corporations.

- In September 2022, Higashi-Nippon Bank concluded a "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Collaboration in Startup Support Services" with Shoko Chukin Bank, establishing a system for comprehensive support of startup companies.

Under its purpose "TOKYO ni, tsukusou." (Let's create for TOKYO.), the Kiraboshi Group will continue to support startups through external collaboration, commit to solving customer issues at all life stages beyond conventional finance, and contribute to the sustainable development of the regional economy and society.

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<Contact Information for Inquiries>

Kiraboshi Bank SS Department

[email protected]

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