🚀 10 standout startups take the stage to compete for a fully funded route into Japan's innovation ecosystem. On 25 September in Munich, founders from late seed to Series B pitch live for a STEP-funded return trip to Japan, in front of investors, corporates, and industry leaders from across the Munich and Sapporo ecosystems. (Exact travel dates, program format, and delegation size are finalized directly with the winning team and STEP after the competition.)
🔒 This is a curated circle, not a general-admission crowd. The room is filled with founders, investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders, each bringing their own individual network, and only 10 startups take the stage to pitch.
🤝 Munich and Sapporo have been sister cities for decades, and this event turns that relationship into something concrete. STEP Sapporo, representing Sapporo City, co-hosts the evening alongside Start2 Group, and their presence is what makes the connection to Japan real rather than aspirational.
🌱 We're looking at startups across AI, Biotech, Food & AgriTech, Climate & GreenTech, Semiconductors, and Space. Startups that don't win aren't done either: finalists are fast-tracked into German Accelerator's Japan Market Discovery program, so getting on this stage carries value well past the night itself.
🥂 The night closes with a networking and dinner reception bringing together founders, corporates, investors, and the wider Munich innovation ecosystem.
📍 Event Details
Start2 Group Munich Office
Friday, 25 September 2026
🕔 17:00–22:30
🗓️ Agenda
17:00–17:30 Registration
17:30–17:40 Welcome Speech & Opening
17:40–18:00 Sapporo City Overview
18:00–18:55 Startup Pitch Competition, Part 1 (5 startups)
18:55–19:15 Break
19:15–20:10 Startup Pitch Competition, Part 2 (5 startups)
20:10–22:15 Networking & Dinner
22:15–22:30 Award Ceremony
22:30 Event Close
If you're building in AI, Biotech, Food & AgriTech, Climate & GreenTech, Semiconductors, or Space, and you're at late seed to Series B, this is your way onto the Sapporo stage, pitching for a funded route into Japan's innovation ecosystem and Sapporo's network of industry partners and investors. We're reviewing applications for real traction, a credible case for the Japanese market, and a team ready to act on the opportunity now, whether you're just building momentum or already scaling internationally. Applications are reviewed in the order they arrive, and we're only considering the first 40. From those, 10 startups will be selected to pitch live. Once that number is reached, applications close, even if the deadline hasn't passed, so it's worth applying as soon as you're ready rather than waiting.
About STEP Sapporo
STEP (Sapporo Transnational Expansion Program) is Sapporo City's program for bringing high-potential international startups into Japan, opening direct access to Sapporo's innovation ecosystem, industry partners, and market opportunities on the ground. This event builds on the decades-long sister-city relationship between Munich and Sapporo, turning it into a real, funded pathway into Japan for European startups ready to expand.
About Start2 Group
Start2 Group is a global innovation and venture platform supporting startups, corporates, and public organizations through internationalization, venture building, and cross-border innovation programs.