Meet/bnext’s wrap-up of the IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD finals in Kyoto, written by 曾令懷 (convener of Meet’s startup desk), pulls out three trends in Japan’s startup ecosystem: international participation up to roughly 60% of teams from around 10% in prior years, a shift from blockchain and Web3 toward physical AI and deep tech such as robotics for cleaning, logistics and construction, and continued focus on social issues like elderly care.
Space Quarters took the LAUNCHPAD grand prize. Among the international finalists cited as part of the globalization trend, the report names SATELYX, describing it as a shared in-orbit satellite testing service with cost advantages and a partnership with Taiwan’s space center.
Full report (Chinese): Meet/bnext, July 3, 2026 .
For the pitch itself and the fuller finals recap, see Kepple’s event report and our IVS2026 wrap-up .
SATELYX builds flight-proven, shared-mission infrastructure for teams that don’t want to re-qualify what’s already been proven in orbit. More at satelyx.com .