Sendai City announced SENDAI for Startups! 2026, a month-long startup initiative running from February 3 to February 28 2026, organized by Sendai Startup Studio. The program brings together entrepreneurs, students, researchers, investors, and support organizations to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Sendai and the wider Tohoku region.

Designed as a wide range of events that support founders at different stages, SENDAI for Startups!’s key focus areas include university-originated startups, global expansion, digital and deep-tech innovation, social entrepreneurship, women and youth entrepreneurship, and open innovation with corporates and local stakeholders.

Throughout the month, participants can join pitch events, demo days, workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions aimed at accelerating business creation and fostering cross-sector collaboration. The program also serves as an entry point for students and first-time founders who are exploring entrepreneurship, while offering scale-up opportunities for startups preparing for overseas markets.

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