TechCrunch is forging a strategic alliance with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, positioning its Startup Battlefield program at the heart of Asia’s largest global innovation conference. The event unfolds from April 27 to 29 at Tokyo Big Sight, with TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield program manager, Isabelle Johannessen, serving as a judge for the SusHi Tech Challenge. This flagship pitch competition awards its Grand Prix winner automatic entry into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200, securing a coveted slot on one of the startup world’s most prestigious stages.
Now in its fourth year, SusHi Tech Tokyo—short for Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo—has evolved into Asia’s premier innovation gathering. Organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, it convenes startups, investors, corporate partners, and city leaders worldwide to architect sustainable urban futures. This year’s edition marks its largest yet: 750 startup exhibitors from 60 countries, over 10,000 facilitated business meetings, and an anticipated 60,000 attendees across three days.
The expo floor functions as a dynamic dealmaking marketplace, featuring 62 corporate partners such as Sony, Google, Microsoft, and Mizuho. These entities host reverse pitches and actively scout for startup collaborators, transforming the conference into a live negotiation hub. Programming is structured around four core technology domains: AI, Robotics, Resilience, and Entertainment. Attendees can expect live demos of humanoid robots, sessions on autonomous driving software, deep dives into cyber defense and climate tech, and discussions on AI’s impact on global music and anime industries.
Speaker lineup includes Howard Wright from Nvidia, Rob Chu of AWS, Eva Chen from Trend Micro, Qasar Younis of Applied Intuition, Christine Tsai from 500 Global, Kathy Matsui of MPower Partners, and Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike. Roughly 60% of speakers hail from outside Japan, with approximately half being women.
The SusHi Tech Challenge pitch competition attracted 820 applications from 60 countries and regions—437 international and 383 Japanese. Twenty semifinalists compete on April 27, seven finalists advance to the April 28 finale, and one Grand Prix winner receives ¥10,000,000 alongside automatic entry into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200.
Beyond the main stage, the conference extends its influence through the G-NETS Leaders Summit, where city leaders from 49 cities across five continents—including Los Angeles, Nairobi, and Singapore—forge commitments on climate resilience and urban sustainability. Evening programming embraces Tokyo’s culture with classical music performances from La Folle Journée, waterfront cruises along Tokyo Bay, and the Tokyo Innovation NIGHTs networking series.
For on-ground efficiency, the official SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 app serves as a command center. AI-powered matching recommends startups, investors, and partners for pre-arranged connections, while features like GPS floor maps, QR business card exchange, and real-time push notifications streamline navigation across Tokyo Big Sight. The app is available for iOS and Android.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 offers a parallel opportunity, gathering over 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders for 250+ tactical sessions. Registration provides savings of up to $410.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 runs April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight, with business days on April 27–28 and a free Public Day on April 29. Tickets are available through the conference website.
