From 26 to 30 January 2026, the Swiss Nanotech Roadshow brought four Swiss deep-tech startups to Japan, connecting Switzerland’s strengths in nanotechnology and advanced materials with one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. Organized by Swissnex in Japan in partnership with Presence Switzerland, Innosuisse, TECH Tokyo, and Swiss Wine, the roadshow unfolded across Osaka, Tokyo, and nano tech 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight.

At the heart of the program were four high-impact Swiss startups (condenZero, Solabs Nanotechnology, XRnanotech, and NovoViz), each presenting technologies rooted in cutting-edge research and designed for real-world industrial and societal applications. Three of the startups participated in the Startup Camp powered by Innosuisse and managed by Swissnex, supporting their international growth and market exploration.

The roadshow opened in Osaka on 26 January with a startup pitching event hosted by the Consulate of Switzerland and Swissnex in Japan. The evening began with welcoming remarks and a presentation about Switzerland’s ecosystem by Marko Radovic, Head of Startups & Innovation at Swissnex in Japan, followed by a video message from Kunihiro Tanaka, Founder and CEO of Sakura Internet Inc., underscoring the importance of international collaboration between Switzerland and Japan.

The four startups then took the stage, presenting solutions spanning quantum cryogenics, nanomaterials, optics, and computational imaging. Their pitches were followed by comments from Professor Kazu Suenaga, whose insights sparked in-depth discussions with participants from industry, academia, and the Kansai innovation community. The event set the tone for the week: open exchange, technical depth, and a shared interest in collaboration across borders.

On 27 January, the roadshow continued in Tokyo with a pitching and networking event at TECH Tokyo in Shibuya. Once again, the four Swiss startups presented their technologies to an audience of entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and innovation leaders from Japan.

The Tokyo session emphasized dialogue and matchmaking, creating space for detailed technical questions and early discussions on potential partnerships. As part of the broader roadshow linked to nano tech 2026, the event reinforced the strong alignment between Swiss deep-tech innovation and Japan’s rapidly evolving materials science and nanotechnology sectors. We thank our host Jorge Cortell, TECH Tokyo, and our guest speakers, Prof. Toru Inoue, Institute of Science Tokyo, Junichi Karasuyama, AGC Inc, and Andy Kondo, Innovation Analyst.

From 28 to 30 January, the Swiss Nanotech Roadshow culminated at nano tech 2026, one of Japan’s leading exhibitions for innovative materials and next-generation devices. At the Swiss Pavilion, the four startups showcased how advanced research translates into practical applications, from sensing technologies and nanomaterials to optics and cryogenic systems.

Over the three days, the Swiss Pavilion welcomed researchers, corporates, and innovation leaders from Japan and beyond. Conversations focused on future applications, collaboration opportunities, and pathways from lab to market, highlighting Switzerland’s long-standing expertise in materials science and its natural synergy with Japan’s innovation landscape.

The final days of nano tech 2026 were marked by strong visitor engagement and continued exchanges. With more than 45,000 visitors, the event once again demonstrated its role as a global platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

A highlight was the Nano Biz Networking Reception, sponsored by Swissnex in Japan, where a dedicated “Switzerland” table brought together startups, partners, and international guests. Thanks to the support of Swiss Wine, the reception offered a distinctly Swiss touch while fostering informal yet meaningful dialogue.

As the Swiss Nanotech Roadshow 2026 comes to a close, the conversations, connections, and ideas generated throughout the week continue to resonate. From Osaka to Tokyo and the halls of Tokyo Big Sight, the roadshow showcased not only Swiss technological excellence but also the shared commitment of Switzerland and Japan to innovation, collaboration, and long-term partnerships.

Swissnex in Japan looks forward to building on this momentum and supporting the next steps of collaboration between Swiss startups and Japan’s materials science and nanotechnology community.