Mirai Pitch: Empowering SMEs for Future Growth with Innovation
The fourth edition of the Mirai Pitch event, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency (SMEA) in collaboration with various Economic and Industrial Bureaus across Japan, is set to take place on February 26, 2026. This initiative aims to generate new business ventures, focusing on the growth of companies within the '100 Billion Yen Declaration' and 'Future Leading Companies' categories.
The SMEA, along with several regional economic bureaus, is committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in achieving a remarkable growth milestone of 10 billion yen in sales. This support is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) to identify and assist companies that have the potential to become central players in their regional economies. These identified companies are termed 'Future Companies' and receive focused support to enhance their potential.
The Mirai Pitch platform was launched in September 2024 as an opportunity for these Future Companies to connect with outstanding firms across the country, enabling collaboration and the creation of innovative business solutions. So far, three successful pitch events have been held in locations such as Ota City, Tokyo, Nagoya City, Aichi, and Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, expanding the participation of '100 Billion Yen Declaration' companies to stimulate further innovation.
On February 26, 2026, a hybrid version of the Mirai Pitch will enable companies from various regions to present their collaboration needs. These announcements will also be publicized on a dedicated page on the J-GoodTech platform to facilitate connections with medium-sized enterprises, small businesses, and startups nationwide. Additionally, the SMEA and the economic bureaus will follow up on business negotiations, providing support tailored to the companies’ needs, which may include introductions to experts in areas such as subsidies and intellectual property.
1. Keynote Speech: Taro Shimamura, Industry Collaboration Coordinator from the Kawasaki City Industrial Promotion Foundation.
2. Presentations of Collaboration Needs by Companies.
3. Introduction of Support Programs.
4. Networking Session (in-person only, includes business card exchanges).
1. Tsugawa Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, Yokohama): "Transforming Societal Challenges into Future Value!"
2. Appreciate Co., Ltd. (Ibaraki, Mito): "Accelerating DX for Visibility in People, Time, and Outcomes."
3. Tokiwa Plant Chemical Research Institute (Chiba, Sakura): "Towards Becoming the World's Leading Plant Chemistry Company."
4. Kyoudo International Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, Kawasaki): "Collaboration in Thin Film Formation and Garlic Olive Oil Production."
5. Techno Horizon Co., Ltd. (Aichi, Nagoya): "Implementing Human Judgment into Devices—Next-Generation FA Robotics."
6. Meiji Electric Co., Ltd. (Aichi, Nagoya): "Overcoming Challenges through Co-Creation in Japanese Manufacturing."
7. Ito Co., Ltd. (Yamaguchi, Hikari): "Co-Creating a Zero-Slip Environment with Shoe Sole Catchers."
8. Ehime Paper Co., Ltd. (Ehime, Shikoku-Chuo): "Contributing to Environmental Solutions with High-Functionality Plant Residue Paste 'MaCSIEⓇ' for Food and Cosmetics."
9. Matsumoto Industries Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka, Kitakyushu): "Shall We Team Up? Smart Factories from a Ground-Level Perspective in the AI Era."
To participate, please register via the following URL: Registration Link. The registration deadline is February 20, 2026, by 5:00 PM.
The Mirai Pitch initiative encourages continuous engagement between SMEs and industry leaders to discuss co-development opportunities. Past events have been documented and are available for review. For information about J-GoodTech, a business matching platform connecting SMEs with larger corporations and overseas firms, visit J-GoodTech. The 100 Billion Yen Declaration aims to motivate SMEs to strive for transformative growth in their respective sectors.
The SMEA works proactively to enhance the operational capacity of small enterprises, ensuring they can navigate changing business landscapes and foster sustainable growth.
Background and Purpose
The SMEA, along with several regional economic bureaus, is committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in achieving a remarkable growth milestone of 10 billion yen in sales. This support is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) to identify and assist companies that have the potential to become central players in their regional economies. These identified companies are termed 'Future Companies' and receive focused support to enhance their potential.
The Mirai Pitch platform was launched in September 2024 as an opportunity for these Future Companies to connect with outstanding firms across the country, enabling collaboration and the creation of innovative business solutions. So far, three successful pitch events have been held in locations such as Ota City, Tokyo, Nagoya City, Aichi, and Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, expanding the participation of '100 Billion Yen Declaration' companies to stimulate further innovation.
Event Overview
On February 26, 2026, a hybrid version of the Mirai Pitch will enable companies from various regions to present their collaboration needs. These announcements will also be publicized on a dedicated page on the J-GoodTech platform to facilitate connections with medium-sized enterprises, small businesses, and startups nationwide. Additionally, the SMEA and the economic bureaus will follow up on business negotiations, providing support tailored to the companies’ needs, which may include introductions to experts in areas such as subsidies and intellectual property.
Event Details
- - Date and Time: February 26, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- - Location: Hybrid format - In-Person: Economic and Industrial Ministry Annex 7th floor co-creation space 'Betsunana' (Chiyoda, Tokyo), Online: Microsoft Teams
- - Target Audience: Medium-sized and small enterprises, startups, local governments, industry support organizations, regional financial institutions, universities, research institutions, venture capitalists, among others.
Agenda (Tentative)
1. Keynote Speech: Taro Shimamura, Industry Collaboration Coordinator from the Kawasaki City Industrial Promotion Foundation.
2. Presentations of Collaboration Needs by Companies.
3. Introduction of Support Programs.
4. Networking Session (in-person only, includes business card exchanges).
Participating Companies and Announced Themes
1. Tsugawa Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, Yokohama): "Transforming Societal Challenges into Future Value!"
2. Appreciate Co., Ltd. (Ibaraki, Mito): "Accelerating DX for Visibility in People, Time, and Outcomes."
3. Tokiwa Plant Chemical Research Institute (Chiba, Sakura): "Towards Becoming the World's Leading Plant Chemistry Company."
4. Kyoudo International Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, Kawasaki): "Collaboration in Thin Film Formation and Garlic Olive Oil Production."
5. Techno Horizon Co., Ltd. (Aichi, Nagoya): "Implementing Human Judgment into Devices—Next-Generation FA Robotics."
6. Meiji Electric Co., Ltd. (Aichi, Nagoya): "Overcoming Challenges through Co-Creation in Japanese Manufacturing."
7. Ito Co., Ltd. (Yamaguchi, Hikari): "Co-Creating a Zero-Slip Environment with Shoe Sole Catchers."
8. Ehime Paper Co., Ltd. (Ehime, Shikoku-Chuo): "Contributing to Environmental Solutions with High-Functionality Plant Residue Paste 'MaCSIEⓇ' for Food and Cosmetics."
9. Matsumoto Industries Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka, Kitakyushu): "Shall We Team Up? Smart Factories from a Ground-Level Perspective in the AI Era."
How to Register
To participate, please register via the following URL: Registration Link. The registration deadline is February 20, 2026, by 5:00 PM.
Additional Information
The Mirai Pitch initiative encourages continuous engagement between SMEs and industry leaders to discuss co-development opportunities. Past events have been documented and are available for review. For information about J-GoodTech, a business matching platform connecting SMEs with larger corporations and overseas firms, visit J-GoodTech. The 100 Billion Yen Declaration aims to motivate SMEs to strive for transformative growth in their respective sectors.
The SMEA works proactively to enhance the operational capacity of small enterprises, ensuring they can navigate changing business landscapes and foster sustainable growth.
Topics Business Technology）
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