The U25 TORYUMON Pitch is one of TORYUMON’s featured startup programs, previously featuring speakers such as Reiji Ogawa of Timee, which completed its listing in July 2024. At TORYUMON 2026 Homura, held in May and June 2026, some teams used the pitch as a starting point to connect with fundraising. The next edition will again bring in a panel of guest judges to evaluate pitches from selected U25 entrepreneurs.
U25 TORYUMON Pitch: Application and Eligibility
• Application deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026, 23:59
• Application form: submissions are accepted through the dedicated U25 pitch application form
• Eligible applicants: student entrepreneurs / U25-generation entrepreneurs
• Eligible base: entrepreneurs located mainly in Kyushu and the Setouchi region of western Japan
• Eligible stage: pre-seed to seed-stage startups before fundraising
• Travel support: selected presenters from outside Fukuoka who pass the preliminary screening may receive up to 20,000 yen for round-trip transportation on the day
• Recruitment capacity: approximately 5 participants in total
• Selection process: document screening is planned
• Result notification: screening results will be sent around Friday, October 30, 2026
• Note: interviews may be conducted if there are many applicants
Pitch Day and Judging
• Date and time: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 15:30–16:20 (planned)
• Venue: a venue in Tenjin, Fukuoka
• Judges: approximately 3–4 judges expected from VC and CVC firms
• Pitch format (subject to change): 4-minute presentation and 3-minute Q&A
• Judging criteria: market and timing (Why now?), problem setting, solution and competitive advantage, business model, growth strategy, presentation ability
Awards
• TORYUMON Grand Prize: participation in TORYUMON TOKYO 2026 REBOOT on Saturday, December 19, 2026, airfare, and a three-month residency at the F Ventures Fukuoka office
• Multiple sponsor company awards are also planned
Previous U25 TORYUMON Pitch
• Pitch judges included Asu Capital Partners Natsume, JAFCO Group Shirakawa, East Ventures Murakami, and iFund Hironaka (shown from left to right in event materials)
• Previous TORYUMON Grand Prize winner: Sato
• Participant from Kumamoto: Yonezaki
• The session also included a group photo of pitch presenters and judges
TORYUMON KYUSHU 2026 REBOOT Overview
• Date and time: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 12:30–19:00
• Venue: a venue in Tenjin, Fukuoka
• Attendee registration: https://luma.com/toryumonkyushu2026
• Target attendees: students / U25 individuals
• Staff application form: available through the designated staff application form
• U25 pitch application form: available through the designated U25 pitch application form
On-the-Day Schedule
• 12:00–12:30: Reception
• 12:30–13:00: Opening and notices
• 13:00–13:50: Part 1: Fukuoka Rising Session
• 13:50–14:15: Break and networking
• 14:15–15:05: Part 2: Young Entrepreneurs Session
• 15:05–15:30: Break and networking
• 15:30–16:20: Part 3: U25 TORYUMON Pitch
• 16:20–16:45: Break and networking
• 16:45–17:35: Part 4: Prominent Entrepreneurs Session
• 17:35–18:10: Results announcement and closing
• 18:10–19:00: Networking
• Note: the schedule may be partially changed due to circumstances
Event Purpose
• TORYUMON is a startup event for the U25 generation
• It brings together young entrepreneurs who have already launched startups, U25 individuals preparing to start a business, and anyone interested in startups
• The event aims to provide entrepreneurship and the startup world as a new career option
• TORYUMON 2026 Homura, held in May and June 2026, attracted around 500 visitors
• The event has steadily produced entrepreneurs, including multiple student entrepreneurs who have obtained seed money on the scale of tens of millions of yen through the event
• Well-known entrepreneurs, investors, politicians, and other cross-disciplinary guests interact closely with participants
• TORYUMON aims to be a gateway into the startup world and to further cultivate the U25 startup-interested community
Contact Information
• TORYUMON Management Office
• Email: toryumon@f-ventures.vc
With a structured application window, investor-led judging, tangible awards, and integration into the broader TORYUMON KYUSHU 2026 REBOOT event, the U25 TORYUMON Pitch outlines a clear opportunity for eligible U25 founders in western Japan. Applicants, attendees, and staff candidates can refer to the official forms, schedule, and contact information for further details.