Fukuoka × Singapore
Innovation Mining Day
2026
Organized by Fukuoka City, Japan
Outline
Fukuoka is the ideal city for Singapore companies considering business expansion into the Japanese market. As one of Japan’s fastest-growing cities, Fukuoka offers a dynamic business environment characterized by innovation, a strong talent pool, cost efficiency, and an excellent quality of life.
The city has already developed ties with Singapore to grow businesses in both regions together. Read more in this article: Fukuoka City strengthens ties with Singapore through Business Attraction Seminar 2025.
By inviting companies with positive social and environmental impact to the Fukuoka × Singapore Innovation Mining Day, the city helps you scale from Fukuoka to the global stage.
Winners will be awarded exciting prizes — details can be found in the Awards section.
We look forward to receiving your applications. The deadline is Friday, July 10.
Date
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Venue
80RR Fintech Hub SG, Singapore
Language
English (all applications, pitches, and communications)
Application Deadline
Previous deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 23:59 (JST).
Strikethrough:
Deadline Extended! July 10, 2026
Applications are now closed!
Categories
① Biotechnology, Life Science, Medicine & Healthcare
② Finance
Finalists
4 companies per category — 8 companies total (TBC)
Attend the event as an Audience Member!
Register Here!
Purpose
The Fukuoka × Singapore Innovation Mining Day provides companies with global impact the opportunity to scale from Fukuoka to the world. The contest is evaluated by venture capitalists from the biotech, life science, and financial sectors, who screen submitted business plans and select finalists.
Eligibility
- Open to any company regardless of size — startups, SMEs, and large enterprises are all welcome.
- Participating companies must possess novel technologies or business models with growth potential in their respective category.
- Finalists must attend the pitch contest in person in Singapore. Online participation is not permitted.
- Applicants must have existing products or services already in market. *
* Please note that for the drug development area within the Biotechnology & Life Science category, applicants must have either active drug development programs or proprietary drug discovery platform technologies.
Categories
- ① Biotechnology, Life Science, Medicine & Healthcare
- ② Finance
Applicable Technologies:
Any technologies applicable to the above categories, e.g., AI, Deep Tech, Semiconductors, and Robotics.
Awards & Prizes
1 winner will be selected per category, for a total of 2 prize-winning companies.
Winners receive:
- Invitation to Fukuoka City in the second week of October 2026 (October 5–11, TBC)
- Round-trip economy airfare and hotel accommodation for 1 person per company
- A presentation slot at RAMEN TECH — Fukuoka’s major international startup & technology festival
- Business matching with local companies, investors, and universities
- Facility visits by sector
*About RAMEN TECH
Scheduled to be held in Fukuoka City from October 7 to 11, 2026. In 2025, the event attracted 12,000 participants over 8 days, including 1,200 international attendees. Participants include startups, SMEs, large corporations, government organizations, universities, venture capital firms, investors, and students.
Official Website: RAMEN TECH
Judges
Venture capital firms specializing in each category will be invited from Japan to evaluate and select the winners.
Saisei Ventures
Life science venture capital firm dedicated to building next-generation companies in the healthcare sector. Japan office was established in July 2023. Our approach combines Western expertise and Japanese innovations to build globally competitive companies that will have the greatest impact on patient lives.The firm is registered as Kyushu University Life Science Partner VC and has an office in Fukuoka.
MedTech Actuator
Founded in 2018, MedTech Actuator catalyses health startups into global companies.
As APAC’s premier MedTech commercialisation initiative, we strengthen innovation ecosystems and connect founders, researchers and investors. We build entrepreneurial capability—skills, networks and confidence—to accelerate human-centred innovations that improve lives and create economic impact.
MCP Asset Management
MCP Asset Management is a leading Asian alternative firm. Through MCP Japan Holdings in Fukuoka, a "Team Fukuoka" member, we catalyze regional growth. We bridge Japan’s high-potential seeds with global capital through the Japan Evolution Fund, transforming domestic innovation into global success via our extensive cross-border network.
Fin Capital
Fin Capital is a San Francisco-based global VC/PE firm investing in enterprise software, including deeptech and vertical fintech. We partner with high-growth companies from early to growth stages, supporting scale through capital, strategic partnerships, and cross-border expansion across the U.S., Japan, and Asia.
SMBC Edge
SMBC Edge is a VC firm under SMBC Group, one of Japan's largest financial institutions, driving Japan's next growth phase by creating new industries.
We go beyond capital, providing strategic investment and hands-on business development across a wide range of industries to accelerate startup growth.
Local Partners
Selection Process
Step 1Preliminary Review
Document screening after the July 10, 2026 application deadline
Step 2Finals
Pitch contest held on August 19, 2026 in Singapore
5-minute presentation + 5-minute Q&A session
Winner Invitation
to Fukuoka City
Oct
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Proprietary Technology & Competitive Advantage
- Social Impact & Feasibility
- Potential for Expansion into Fukuoka & the Japan Market Strategy
- Interest in Collaborating with Local Businesses & Universities
How to Apply
Please submit your application via the online form at the URL below.
All application materials must be submitted in English.
Applications are now closed!
Application FormFinalists who pass the document review will be notified separately with contest details.
FAQ
Are only Singapore-based companies eligible to apply?
No. Companies from any country or region, excluding Japan, are welcome to apply, including those from Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and beyond.
Is this event only for startups?
No. Companies of all sizes are welcome, including startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large corporations.
My business is in AI. Can I apply?
Yes, as long as your technology can be aligned with one of the target categories.
Examples:
- An AI-based medical imaging diagnostic system may fall under biotechnology, life sciences, or healthcare.
- An AI-based credit assessment system may fall under the finance category.
Will I have opportunities to connect with Japanese companies?
Yes. Venture capital firms from Japan specializing in various sectors will participate as judges, and networking opportunities will be available among participants.
Intellectual Property, Portrait Rights & Personal Data
Intellectual Property Rights & Copyrights
- All intellectual property rights and copyrights pertaining to the application remain with the applicant. However, application details, the applicant’s name, and their affiliation may be made public on the website or other platforms at the discretion of the organizer.
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to check relevant rights in advance and take steps to protect them prior to applying.
- If any infringement of third-party intellectual property rights is suspected or confirmed, the award may be revoked.
Portrait Rights & Promotional Use
- All photographs, videos, recordings, and similar materials taken during the event are owned by the organizer. These materials may be published on websites and in other media such as newspapers and magazines.
- By participating, all participants are deemed to have consented to the recording and use of these materials.
Personal Data
- Personal information collected at the time of application will be handled appropriately and used solely for the purposes of this contest, including event-related communications and associated activities.
- Information will be used within the scope of Fukuoka City’s intended purposes and will not be shared for any other purposes without prior consent, except as required by law.
Contact
Business Attraction Section, Investment Promotion Department,
Fukuoka City Government, Japan
Email: invest@city.fukuoka.lg.jp