IVS 2023
Overview
One of Japan's largest startup conferences. The 2023 edition was a turning point, moving to Kyoto for the first time and dropping its invitation-only format for open registration. Around 10,000 people attended, with over 20% from overseas. The LAUNCHPAD pitch contest drew a record 400 applicants, with care-tech startup aba taking the win. IVS Crypto ran alongside, underscoring the Web3 presence.
Foundation
- Founded
- 2007
- Founder
- Started as NILS in 2004, reorganized as IVS in 2007
Born as an invitation-only conference bringing together leaders of Japan's internet industry
Transition
- 2007 IVS第1回を宮崎にて開催。NILSから名称変更
- 2015 運営体制を刷新
- 2020 コロナ禍で初のオンライン開催
- 2023 京都開催に移行。招待制を廃止しオープン化。約1万人が参加、LAUNCHPAD応募は史上最多の約400社。優勝はaba「ヘルプパッド2」
IVS 2026
One of Japan's largest startup conferences. Entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations gather in Kyoto for the pitch contest LAUNCHPAD, sessions, and networking. The 2026 edition ran July 1-3 at Miyakomesse with around 13,000 attendees and 340 exhibitors, as LAUNCHPAD marked its 20th anniversary.
IVS 2025
One of Japan's largest startup conferences. Under the theme "Reshape Japan with Global Minds," the 2025 edition drew a record 13,000 attendees (20% from overseas, 21% women) from over 70 countries, with 508 side events and 3,900 matchings, double the prior year. Notion co-founder Ivan Zhao was among the speakers, and Advance Composite won LAUNCHPAD. It also debuted the matching system "4S."
IVS 2024
One of Japan's largest startup conferences. The 2024 edition moved to Kyoto Pulse Plaza and drew 12,000 attendees from 67 countries, with 198 sessions and 307 side events widening its international reach. Female participation hit a then-record 24%. The LAUNCHPAD pitch contest was won by RENATUS ROBOTICS with its automated warehouse system.
Developers Summit 2026 Summer
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CEDEC 2026 (Computer Entertainment Developers Conference)
Japan's largest conference for game developers, running since 1999. Roughly 200 sessions span engineering, visual arts, sound, and game design, making it the country's central gathering of game and entertainment development expertise. The 2026 edition again runs three days at Pacifico Yokohama North in hybrid format with online attendance.
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan 2026
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