Healthcare x Digital

Healthcare x Digital (HxD) is a program of The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, led by ACCJ Kansai, and the ACCJ Healthcare Committee. HxD's goal is to give innovators from multidisciplinary backgrounds opportunities to convene and develop ideas alongside some of the world’s leading healthcare & pharmaceutical companies.

2026 ACCJ HxD Pitch Event

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.

Session 1 concluded with a panel discussion moderated by HxD’s Mr. Makoto Kawai (Zimmer Biomet) featuring HxD’s Mr. 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!

Lastly, a huge thank you to all of the pitching start-ups! We enjoyed listening to your presentations and are excited to see your healthcare innovations flourish!