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2026 ACCJ HxD Pitch Event
February 13, 2026 [HYbrid] (13:00-18:00)
HxD EVENTS 2026
2026 ACCJ HxD Pitch Event Information Session January 16, 2026 [Virtual] (9:30-10:30)
The ACCJ Healthcare x Digital (HxD) Initiative held an exclusive Pitch Event for healthcare startups on February 13, 2026, at Nakanoshima Qross. The event consisted of a highly engaging panel discussion as well as a pitching competition which included the opportunity to win five coveted awards.
The event kicked off with opening remarks by the Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe, Mr. Richard N. Larsen, followed by guest remarks from Senior Director at the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Mr. Hirokazu Shimoda from AMED. Session 1 concluded with a panel discussion moderated by HxD’s Mr. Makoto Kawai (Zimmer Biomet) featuring HxD’s Yasuhiko Iida (Eli Lilly), Dr. Okechi Oduori (Nakanoshima Qross), and Ms. Marisa Watanabe (University of New South Wales). The group discussed HxD’s three pillars as well as how to cultivate a more collaborative spirit among Japanese healthcare entities. ACCJ Kansai Governor Mr. Kevin Yamaga-Karns (Eli Lilly) then presented our panelists with certificates of appreciation.
Session 2 of the event included two rounds of pitching by 12 healthcare startups whose innovative ideas inspired us to think bigger about the future of technology for social impact. Each group pitched for 5 minutes, followed by 7 minutes of Q&A with our expert judge panel with representatives from EY, LEK Consulting, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Nakanoshima Qross / Osaka University, and the Kobe Shimbun / ANCHOR KOBE.
After two rounds of exciting pitches, the judges deliberated and decided on the winners:
SelectUSA Investment Summit Award: Complimentary ticket to the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit / Accommodation and Flight – SalivaTech, Inc
ANCHOR KOBE (Kobe City): PR opportunities and access to ANCHOR KOBE – Aman Wellness Solutions
Nakanoshima Qross Award: Access to co-working space / Mentoring support / Priority speaking opportunities at NQ-sponsored events – Purinoscience
Osaka Bio Headquarters Award: Spot to pitch at the Osaka Prefecture Booth at the World Health Expo Osaka in July – Quadlytics Inc
Osaka LifeScience Nexus Award: Access to the Osaka LifeScience Nexus co-working space (scheduled to open 5/28/26) – VisionPath
A huge thank you to the ACCJ President’s Circle Members, Cisco and Eli Lilly; our HxD 2026 Silver Sponsors, AstraZeneca and LEK Consulting; our HxD 2026 Bronze Sponsors, Dentsu, Ubie, Welby, and EY; and our special supporters, Nakanoshima Qross, Osaka Bio Headquarters, ANCHOR KOBE, Nissay, and CIC. This event was made possible by all of your support!
We would also like to thank Comars and the Nakanoshima Qross staff for their support on the day with technical and logistical matters!
ABout THE HEALTHCARE X DIGITAL
Healthcare x Digital (HxD) is an inititaive team in The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Kansai Chapter under the Healthcare Committee. HxD's goal is to give innovators from multidisciplinary backgrounds to convene and develop ideas alongside some of the world’s leading healthcare & pharmaceutical companies.
To solve Japan’s most critical challenges in community healthcare and individual patient care, it is paramount that private and public sectors join forces. We seek to foster creative and mutually beneficial partnerships that lead to scaling current health ecosystems, by bringing together academia, innovators, non-profits, private sector, and the public sector.
See past HxD winners and events: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
2023 Ideas Day Review Video
The ACCJ thanks our PRESIDENT’s circle members
And THEse generous sponsors of HxD 2026
Silver
Bronze
Special
HxD 2026 is also made possible by the GENEROUS SUPPORT of
This event is nominally supported by the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
Healthcare x Digital INITIATIVE Team LEADERS
CHRISTIAN BOETTCHER
Partner,
L.E.K Consulting
TORSTEN KANISCH
Executive officer and vice president, commercial excellence
AstraZeneca
YASUHIKO IIDA
Senior Group Director,
Consumer Experience and Innovation Team
Eli Lilly Japan
Healthcare x Digital INITIATIVE TEAm MEMBERS
LEI LIU, PhD
Innovation partnerships & i2.JP director, commercial excellence
AstraZeneca K.K.
SACHIN BENNUR
Director, IT - Korea,
CDH Japan & NAPAC
Eli Lilly Japan
ROBERT BRAND, PhD
Consulting, senior manager,
healthcare and wellness
EY Strategy & Consulting
MARI OGIHARA
i2.JP Community manager,
commercial excellence
AstraZeneca K.K.
Healthcare x Digital AdVISORS
JOSHUA FLANNERY
Founder & CEO, Innovation Dojo
SHION SEINO
Co-founder, Liaison
EUMA ISHII
Co-founder, Liaison
SAYA MAEDA
Project Coordinator, Liaison
About SElectUSA Japan:
The HxD Pitch Event winner will receive a complimentary registration to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026 accompanied by an invitation letter from the SelectUSA Executive Director. The winning startup will also receive the chance to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit as a member of the Japan Delegation taking place from May 3 to 6 in National Harbor, Maryland, along with roundtrip flight and accommodation fees.
The SelectUSA Investment Summit, hosted by the United States Department of Commerce, is one of the highest profile events in the U.S. and has generated over $98 billion in new investment projects to date.