ICT Startup & Entrepreneur Center Kanazawa (ISEK)
3rd ICT Startup Competition 2026
Theme: “Future Creation Together”
A global stage where aspiring student founders, innovators, and creators come together in Kanazawa to design the future through bold ideas, cross-border collaboration, and real-world impact.
Past Event
This competition was held on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Event Snapshot
Date & Time
Friday, February 20, 2026
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue
Innovation Hall, 4th Floor, Building 12,
Ohgigaoka Campus, Kanazawa Institute of Technology,
2-270 Hisayasu, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Language
English (Japanese interpretation provided in main sessions)
Organizer
International College of Technology, Kanazawa (ICT/KIT)
Program Outline
The competition featured a full-day program of talks, panels, and pitching sessions that connected students with experts from Japan and abroad.
- Opening Remarks: International College of Technology President, Dr. Shikada Masaaki
- Panel I: Exciting Future — Global/Japan trend, outlook, and movement
- Panel II: Power of Together — Ecosystem, Incubator, Government, Corporate, etc.
- Pitching Competition: Idea stage 3 mins pitch, 10 mins Q&A
- Award and Closing
- Networking
Experience
Students explored how emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across borders can create new opportunities for society, industry, and local communities.
Competition Conditions
Designed for early-stage student innovators to pitch bold ideas in an inclusive, international environment.
Eligibility
High School or Undergrad Student’s Competency Level.
Team Composition
1 to 5 members per team.
Theme
“Future Creation Together” — proposing ideas that imagine and build a better future through technology, creativity, and collaboration.
Language
English (at least basic communication from one member). Japanese interpretation was provided for main sessions.
Important Dates
Key milestones for registration and submission for participating teams.
- Registration for pitching (other schools): by Friday Feb 6, 2026
- Registration for pitching (ICT Students): by Friday Jan 16, 2026
- Proposal Submission deadline: Friday Feb 6, 2026
- Pitching Deck Submission: Sunday Feb 15, 2026
- Poster Submission: Sunday Feb 15, 2026
Judge Criteria
Pitches were evaluated on innovation, impact, feasibility, and the quality of the presentation.
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Innovation | 20% |
| Impactful | 25% |
| Practicality | 20% |
| Commercialize | 20% |
| Pitching | 15% |
Guest Speakers & Judges
Leaders from industry, academia, and the startup ecosystem joined as guest speakers and judges to mentor teams and provide feedback grounded in real-world experience.
Mr. Shiro Takaki
Manufacturing Development Division, Leave a Nest; Incubator and Incubation Manager, Center of Garage; Director, Glocalink Inc.
Mr. Matas Danielevicius
Entrepreneur, Actor, Producer — Co-Founder Whatnot Startup Studio; Advisor KX Knowledge Exchange; Director for FMCG Aha Brands
Dr. Piengpen Wongnapapan
Legal Advisor; Deputy Director of Siriraj Innovation Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Assoc. Prof. Sushi Suzuki
Associate Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology; Founder, Kyoto Startup Summer School and Galari; Author of “Riveting: Startup Pitches that Persuade from Storytelling to Design”
Mr. Daiki Matsui
Founder, Itsuki Shodo Studio; Organizer, Startup Weekend Kanazawa; Former Sony professional; KTC alumnus
Dr. Shikada Masaaki
Principal of International College of Technology
Mr. Rikichi Izumiya
Deputy Director, Finance Division, Kanazawa Institute of Technology; Entrepreneur Educator
Assoc. Prof. Tossa Mebusaya
International College of Technology; Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur Educator, Startup Mentor
TBA additional photos and profiles can be added here as they become available.
Partners
The competition was supported by a strong international and domestic network of universities, innovation hubs, and corporate ecosystem partners.
International Partners
KX Knowledge Exchange, SPU, HUTECH, UEF, Mahidol University, CAMT, INTI Malaysia, Whatnot Startup Studio, VOERA
Japan Partners
KIT, ICT Kanazawa, Leave a Nest, Startup Weekend, Daiki Calligraphy Studio
Contact
For inquiries about the ICT Startup Competition series or collaboration with ICT Startup & Entrepreneur Center Kanazawa (ISEK), please contact the center through the official International College of Technology, Kanazawa channels.
ISEK: ICT Startup and Entrepreneur Center, Kanazawa 