TechCrunch Expands to Tokyo with Startup Battlefield

TechCrunch is joining forces with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, Asia's premier global innovation conference, scheduled for April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight. We're not just attending as media; our Startup Battlefield program manager, Isabelle Johannessen, will be on-site as a judge for the conference's flagship global pitch competition, the SusHi Tech Challenge.

Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

What is SusHi Tech Tokyo?

Now in its fourth year, SusHi Tech Tokyo — an abbreviation for Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo — has become Asia's largest innovation conference. It attracts startups, investors, corporate partners, and city leaders globally. This year's event is the most expansive to date, featuring 750 startup exhibitors from 60 countries, over 10,000 scheduled business meetings, and an anticipated 60,000 attendees over three days.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government organizes the conference with a focused mission: to unite the world's top innovators in shaping the sustainable cities of tomorrow.

The expo floor functions as a dynamic marketplace for dealmaking, with 62 corporate partners — including Sony, Google, Microsoft, and Mizuho — hosting reverse pitches and actively scouting for startup collaborations. The conference programming mirrors this ambitious scale.

Four domains at the frontier

SusHi Tech 2026 is concentrating on four technology domains transforming society: AI, Robotics, Resilience, and Entertainment. Attendees can anticipate live humanoid robot demos, discussions on the software revolution in autonomous driving, in-depth explorations of cyber defense and climate tech, and frank conversations about AI's impact on the global music and anime industries.

The speaker lineup includes 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 many others. Notably, roughly 60% of speakers are international, and approximately half are women.

Image Credits:SusHi Tech Tokyo (opens in a new window) / SusHi Tech Tokyo (opens in a new window)

Will you be in Tokyo? Don't miss this event. Secure your tickets here.

The SusHi Tech Challenge

The pitch competition received 820 applications from 60 countries and regions — 437 international and 383 from Japan. Twenty semifinalists will compete on April 27, seven finalists will advance to the final round on April 28, and one Grand Prix winner will receive ¥10,000,000 and automatic entry into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200.

Beyond the stage

The conference experience extends far beyond the main halls. City leaders from 49 cities across five continents — from Los Angeles and Nairobi to Singapore — are gathering for the G-NETS Leaders Summit to establish concrete commitments on climate resilience and urban sustainability. Meanwhile, on the expo floor, the 62 corporate partners are actively engaging with startups through reverse pitches.

And since this is Tokyo, the networking continues after hours: the agenda includes classical music performances by La Folle Journée, scenic cruises on Tokyo Bay, and the Tokyo Innovation NIGHTs networking series.

Before you go, download the app

The official SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 app is your essential on-site tool. Before arriving, its AI-powered matching system recommends relevant startups, investors, and partners for you to connect with and allows you to pre-book meeting rooms. On-site features include a GPS floor map, QR code business card exchange, and real-time push notifications to help you navigate the vast Tokyo Big Sight venue. Download it for iOS or Android.

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 takes place April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight. Business days are April 27–28; Public Day (with free admission) is April 29.