TechCrunch Partners With SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026: Win a Spot in Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt

TechCrunch has partnered with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, Asia’s largest global innovation conference, which will run April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight. We’re not just attending to cover the event—our very own Startup Battlefield Program Manager, Isabelle Johannessen, will be on-site serving as a judge for the SusHi Tech Challenge, the conference’s flagship global pitch competition.

For one standout startup, the opportunity stretches far beyond the competition itself: A TechCrunch editor will select a top performer from the challenge’s semifinalists to advance directly to the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield 200, the iconic launchpad that gives early-stage teams access to one of the tech industry’s most prestigious global stages.

What is SusHi Tech Tokyo?

Now in its fourth year, SusHi Tech Tokyo—short for Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo—has grown into the largest innovation gathering in Asia, attracting startups, investors, corporate partners, and city leaders from across the world. The 2026 edition is the biggest to date: it will host 750 exhibiting startups from 60 countries, facilitate more than 10,000 curated business meetings, and expects to welcome 60,000 total attendees over three days.

Organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the conference operates with a clear core mission: bring together the world’s leading innovators to build the sustainable cities of the future.

On the expo floor, 62 major corporate partners—including Sony, Google, Microsoft, and Mizuho—host reverse pitches and actively search for startup collaborators, turning the event into just as much a live dealmaking marketplace as it is a conference. The full event programming is built to match this ambitious scope.

Four domains at the frontier of innovation

SusHi Tech 2026 centers on four technology domains that are reshaping modern society: AI, Robotics, Resilience, and Entertainment. Attendees can expect live demos of cutting-edge humanoid robots, deep dives into the software revolution powering autonomous driving, expert sessions on cyber defense and climate tech, and candid conversations about how AI is transforming the global music and anime industries.

Confirmed speakers include 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 other industry leaders. Roughly 60% of speakers hail from outside Japan, and approximately half of the full speaker lineup are women.

Connect with your next big opportunity at Disrupt

Your next funding round. Your next key hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $410 on your pass.

Meet your next investor or portfolio startup at Disrupt

Your next funding round. Your next key hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $410.

If you’re planning to be in Tokyo late April, don’t miss out. Grab your tickets to SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 here.

The SusHi Tech Challenge

This year’s competition drew 820 applications from 60 countries and regions—437 from international teams, and 383 from Japan-based startups. Twenty semifinalists will take the main stage on April 27, with seven teams advancing to the final round on April 28. Alongside the ¥10,000,000 Grand Prix award for the overall winner, TechCrunch will select one semifinalist to earn a spot in the Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2026.

Programming beyond the main stage

The conference experience extends far past the convention center floor. City leaders from 49 cities across five continents—from Los Angeles to Nairobi to Singapore—will convene for the G-NETS Leaders Summit to forge concrete commitments around climate resilience and urban sustainability. On the expo floor, 62 corporate partners including Sony, Google, Microsoft, and Mizuho will host reverse pitches and actively recruit new startup collaborators.

And the experience doesn’t end when the expo closes at 6PM: Attendees can enjoy classical music performances from La Folle Journée, waterfront cruises along Tokyo Bay, and industry mixers as part of the Tokyo Innovation NIGHTS networking series to round out their trip.

Download the official app before you arrive

The official SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 app is your all-in-one command center for the event. Even before you arrive at the venue, AI-powered matching recommends relevant startups, investors, and partners for you to connect with, and lets you book meeting rooms in advance. On-site, GPS-enabled floor maps, QR code business card exchange, and real-time push notifications help you navigate the sprawling Tokyo Big Sight campus with ease. The app is available for download now for iOS and Android.

---

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 runs April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight. Industry business days are April 27–28, and April 29 is a free-admission Public Day open to all visitors.