Venture Café: Osaka Calling: Manchester's Gateway to Global Innovation

Discover the next wave of innovation at Venture Café Manchester for the regional round of the Tech Osaka Award 2027, hosted in collaboration with Venture Café Tokyo and building on the Sister City partnership between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the City of Osaka.

Watch ambitious UK and international innovators in Bio/Life Sciences and Healthcare, Green Tech, or Digital. live as they compete for a spot on the global stage. Three winning startups will be selected to travel to Japan (with travel and hotel covered) to represent the region at the Tech Osaka Summit 2027 and pitch for up to ¥2 million in grand prize funding.

Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to expand into the Japanese market or an ecosystem supporter eager to back local innovation, this is your chance to connect with companies, investors, and international partners bridging Manchester and Osaka. Applications to pitch are open from October 1st–22nd for founders who can present in person on November 12th, 2026.