TechCrunch partners with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, Asia's largest innovation conference, April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight. Isabelle Johannessen, TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield program manager, will judge the SusHi Tech Challenge pitch competition. The winner gains automatic entry into TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield Top 200, a premier global startup stage.
What Happened
SusHi Tech Tokyo, now in its fourth year, hosts 750 startups from 60 countries and expects 60,000 attendees over three days. Organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the conference focuses on building sustainable cities. Corporate partners like Sony, Google, Microsoft, and Mizuho actively seek startup collaborations through reverse pitches.
Why It Matters for the AECM Industry
The event spotlights AI, robotics, resilience, and entertainment technologies reshaping urban infrastructure and construction. Live demos of humanoid robots and autonomous driving software highlight automation trends impacting project delivery. City leaders from 49 global cities convene to commit to climate resilience and urban sustainability, influencing future regulatory and design standards.
What's Next
The SusHi Tech Challenge features 20 semifinalists on April 27, seven finalists on April 28, and awards ¥10,000,000 plus TechCrunch Disrupt entry to the Grand Prix winner. The conference continues through April 29 with over 10,000 business meetings and ongoing innovation showcases.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/10/techcrunch-is-heading-to-tokyo-and-bringing-the-startup-battlefield-with-it/. Read the original story →
