Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025: Korean Startup Pitching Contest

Event Overview

The 2025 Osaka International Art Festival is a large-scale international art event held alongside the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo. Under the theme of "Social Impact," this festival will showcase a variety of artistic works and programs, creating a platform for cultural, artistic, economic, and diplomatic exchange.

The "StARTs UPs 2025" Creative Business Contest provides a stage for Korean startups in design, music, fashion, gaming, and other creative industries to present their ideas to global investors and industry leaders, securing opportunities for business growth.

✅ Who Can Apply?

Startups and new business ventures aiming to expand in the culture, arts, and entertainment industries while creating jobs.
Open to all funding stages (from early-stage startups to Series A and beyond).
Creative Economy Sectors (art, design, music, fashion, gaming, advertising, tourism, urban development, architecture, comics, animation, entertainment, food, etc.).

📅 Key Dates:

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Mon)
1st Round Review: Early April 2025 (document & pitch video screening)
Art Accelerator Program: Late May – Early July 2025
Final Pitch Event: July 23, 2025 (Thu)
- 📍 Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center)
- 📌 Address: 5-3-51 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
  - ✈️ From Kansai International Airport (KIX): Approx. 50 min by car
  - ✈️ From Itami Airport (ITM): Approx. 30 min by car

Finalist Benefits

✅ Up to 3 companies will be selected (final results may vary).
✅ Flight and accommodation support (local transportation and additional lodging at the applicant’s expense).
✅ Up to 4 mentoring sessions with experts in the art & entertainment industry.
✅ Networking opportunities with VCs, major companies, artists, and media professionals.
✅ Testing and promotion opportunities for eligible companies.
✅ Exclusive pitching opportunities to investors and industry leaders.

👥 Key Partners & Mentoring Organizations:

Sony Kuchaz Entertainment
Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings
The Creative Fund, iFund, ABC Dream Ventures
Creww, Japan Startup Support Association

📌 Previous Year's Selected Startups 📍 What types of startups were selected last year?

XPAND Inc. – Next-gen QR codes linking physical and digital spaces.
Digihira Inc. – Digital art, sensors, and databases empowering children with disabilities.
conSept LLC – Innovative funding methods for performing arts production.
Leaf Publications Inc. – NFT-based secondary distribution market for sake.
BrightBox Inc. – Development and commercialization of fully 3D digital signage.
Kesaku Inc. – Platform for fractional investment and shared ownership of artistic buildings.

These companies pushed the boundaries between technology and art, discovering new global opportunities. Now, it’s your turn to take the stage! 🚀

How to Apply

🔗 Application Process: Apply through WithTitans.

📌 Required Documents:

5-minute pitch video (Upload to Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo, etc., and submit the link in the application). You can pitch in Japanese, English and Korean, however required you to put subtitles in English if you are pitching in English and Korean.
Presentation file (PPTX format recommended) (Translation may be required).

📍 Evaluation Criteria:

✔️ Creativity & Originality: Market novelty and unique approach.
✔️ Scalability & Sustainability: Business model viability and funding sustainability.
✔️ Contribution to Culture, Arts & Leisure Industries: Market activation and cultural innovation.
✔️ Impact on Society: Contribution to local and global communities.
✔️ Business Feasibility: Realistic implementation plan with the necessary resources and expertise.
✔️ Presentation Skills: Clear, compelling, and engaging storytelling.

FAQ

💰 Participation Fee? None!
🛫 Flight & Accommodation Support? Only provided to final selected startups.
🏢 Hosted & Organized by: Osaka International Arts Festival Executive Committee, Creww Korea
🔗 For more details, visit: osaka-kansai.art/pages/starts-ups

🚀 Take your idea to the global stage where art and innovation collide!

Attachment: Osaka Kansai Art Festival Overview