There’s a type of tech conference where you’re required to travel to a costly destination, attend panels, exchange business cards that rarely lead to anything, and then return home. SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 aimed to break that mold.
When 60,000 participants gather at Tokyo Big Sight from April 27–29, notable figures stand out: 750 startup exhibitors, 151 sessions, and city leaders from 49 countries. However, the impressive statistic that defines this event is the 10,000 facilitated business meetings arranged before most attendees arrive.
SusHi Tech’s official app functions more as a matchmaking tool than just an event guide. Attendees set up profiles and specify their interests before the conference begins. The app’s AI suggests connections, provides a messaging channel, and allows pre-booking of meeting spaces. QR code business card exchanges replace the traditional handover, reflecting the event’s emphasis on seamless networking.
This approach extends to the startup pitch competition. Isabelle Johannessen, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield program manager, will choose a standout startup suited for the North American market from the semifinalists, propelling it to the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield 200.
A unique feature of SusHi Tech is the reverse pitch format, where corporations and city governments present their challenges to startups, inviting innovative solutions. This year, Moreton Bay and Rome are hosting sessions like these, and 62 partner companies are hunting for collaborations. Twelve clusters in different domains, such as logistics and climate tech, are also partaking for the first time.
Out of 750 exhibitors, 400 come from abroad, representing a diverse global startup scene. City partners from 25 countries bring along cohorts with a goal to connect with Japanese partners and investors. A group of 45 “SusHi Tech Global Startups,” supported by Tokyo’s government, will debut in a special pavilion.
International entrepreneurs and investors looking at Japan will find SusHi Tech an excellent entry point. The business card exchanges here are expected to matter.
For those unable to attend in person, there are alternatives. Remote participants have more than just a livestream; on-site team members can carry a device that shows your face, enabling direct interaction. This service brings you as close to the event as possible without being there physically.
For further remote engagement, online streaming of sessions is available to ticket holders. However, some sessions might not be available for this option.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 takes place at Tokyo Big Sight from April 27–29, with business days on April 27–28 and a free Public Day on April 29.