TechCrunch is forging a strategic partnership with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, positioning its Startup Battlefield program at the heart of Asia’s premier innovation conference. Isabelle Johannessen, the Startup Battlefield program manager, will serve as a judge for the SusHi Tech Challenge, the event’s flagship global pitch competition. This collaboration offers a direct pathway for startups: the Grand Prix winner secures automatic entry into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200, granting access to one of the most competitive stages in the startup ecosystem.
Now in its fourth year, SusHi Tech Tokyo—short for Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo—has evolved into the largest innovation conference in Asia. Organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, it aims to unite global innovators to develop sustainable urban futures. The 2026 edition marks its most expansive iteration, featuring 750 startup exhibitors from 60 countries, over 10,000 facilitated business meetings, and an anticipated 60,000 attendees across three days from April 27 to 29 at Tokyo Big Sight.
The conference 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. Programming is structured around four critical technology domains: AI, Robotics, Resilience, and Entertainment. Attendees can expect live demonstrations of humanoid robots, discussions on autonomous driving software, insights into cyber defense and climate technology, and frank dialogues about AI’s impact on the global music and anime industries.
A diverse speaker lineup underscores the event’s international scope, with figures like Howard Wright from Nvidia, Rob Chu from AWS, Eva Chen from Trend Micro, Qasar Younis from Applied Intuition, Christine Tsai from 500 Global, Kathy Matsui from MPower Partners, and Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike. Approximately 60% of speakers hail from outside Japan, and around half are women, reflecting a broad global perspective.
The SusHi Tech Challenge has drawn significant interest, with 820 applications from 60 countries and regions—437 international and 383 Japanese. Twenty semifinalists will compete on April 27, narrowing down to seven finalists for the April 28 finale. The Grand Prix winner receives ¥10,000,000 and the coveted automatic entry into the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200, bypassing initial screening rounds for Disrupt 2026.
Beyond the pitch stage, SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 extends its influence through the G-NETS Leaders Summit, convening city leaders from 49 cities across five continents, from Los Angeles to Nairobi to Singapore. This summit focuses on forging concrete commitments for climate resilience and urban sustainability. Evening programming includes classical music performances by La Folle Journée, waterfront cruises on Tokyo Bay, and the Tokyo Innovation NIGHTs networking series, blending business with cultural experiences.
For optimal navigation, the official SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 app serves as a command center, offering AI-powered matching to recommend relevant startups, investors, and partners, along with pre-bookable meeting rooms. On-site features include a GPS floor map, QR business card exchange, and real-time push notifications to manage the expansive Tokyo Big Sight venue. The app is available for iOS and Android.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, running concurrently, promises to be a hub for founders, investors, and tech leaders, with over 10,000 attendees, 250+ tactical sessions, and opportunities for powerful introductions. Registration offers savings of up to $410, emphasizing the event’s role in driving market-defining innovation.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 operates from April 27 to 29, with business days on April 27–28 and a Public Day offering free admission on April 29. This integration with TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield highlights a growing trend of global collaboration in the startup arena, providing unprecedented access for emerging companies in Asia and beyond.
