NTT to Host "NTT Startup Challenge" for Third Consecutive Year
~Aiming to Foster New Business Ventures Through Startup Partnerships in APAC & India~

News Highlights:

1. Background:

The NTT Startup Challenge is a collaboration program aimed at creating new business ventures together with overseas startup ecosystems.
In 2026, the program will further expand its scope by adding Australia and India as target regions, aiming to address a broader range of social challenges. In addition, NTT DATA will participate to enhance the assets provided by the NTT Group to the startup ecosystem. Furthermore, by leveraging "Synexia Ventures³," a corporate venture capital fund established in December 2025 in alignment with this program, NTT aims to further contribute to the ecosystem and enhance the feasibility and certainty of open innovation.

2. NTT Startup Challenge Program Details:

(1) Overview:

The program aims to promote collaboration for new business creation with overseas startup ecosystems.
In 2026, the program will further expand its scope to address broader social challenges by adding Australia and India as target regions.
In addition, to enhance the assets provided by the NTT Group to the startup ecosystem, NTT DATA—possessing extensive global assets such as ICT infrastructure, customer base, and innovation centers—will newly participate in the program.
Furthermore, by leveraging "Synexia Ventures," a corporate venture capital fund established in December 2025 in alignment with this program, NTT aims to further contribute to the ecosystem and enhance the feasibility and certainty of open innovation.

(2) Activities:

The NTT Global Business Department, serving as the organizer of this program, leads the implementation of the following activities:

(3) Role of NTT Group Companies:

NTT: Program planning and management.
NTT Group Companies: Promoting collaboration and new business development with startups based on their respective focus areas and assets.

(4) Major Collaboration Outcomes to Date

(5) Updates from 2025

3. About NTT Startup Challenge Partnership Day:

(1) Overview:

NTT Startup Challenge Partnership Day is a partner-recommended startup collaboration program aimed at fostering new business creation through collaboration with overseas startup ecosystems.
In 2026, it will be co-hosted with the "Open Innovation Program" organized by NTT DATA, providing more practical collaboration opportunities initiated from both the business challenges of NTT Group companies and the customer challenges of NTT DATA.

(2) Event Details:

Eligible companies: Startups in Southeast Asia interested in collaborating with the NTT Group
Participating companies: NTT Group companies
Strategic partners: Venture capital firms, government agencies, universities, and local companies
Dates:

(3) Updates from 2025:

4. About NTT Startup Challenge Pitch Day:

(1) Overview:

NTT Startup Challenge Pitch Day is a pitch contest and matching program targeting startups in APAC & India interested in collaborating with the NTT Group. The program welcomes applications from all sectors and stages, leveraging the breadth of NTT Group's business domains. More than 1,200 applications are expected, exceeding last year's figure. The top 10 finalist startups will present at the Pitch Contest where winning companies will receive rewards and access to various NTT Group assets (e.g., Investment from CVC, ICT infrastructure, Internal use of Startup solutions).

(2) Event Details:

Eligible Companies: Startups from Southeast Asia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, and India interested in collaborating with the NTT Group
Website: https://www.ntt-startupchallenge.com/
Pitch Contest Date: November 11, 2026 (Wednesday), 13:00–19:00 (Indonesia Time)
Venue: Soehanna Hall, Jakarta, Indonesia
Preliminary Judges: NTT, NTT Group Companies
Final Judges: Will include executives from NTT and NTT Group, alongside leading venture capital firms and senior representatives from partners

(3) Updates from 2025

5. Future Development:

Participating NTT Group companies aim to create new business ventures in Southeast Asia through the NTT Startup Challenge. In addition, for startups interested in expanding into Japan, participating companies are prepared to offer support.

6. Endorsements:

○ Hsien-Hui Tong, Executive Director, Investments of SGInnovate

"Global corporates like NTT play a key role in the translation and adoption of emerging technologies, with platforms like the NTT Startup Challenge serving as a critical launchpad for young companies looking to grow and scale. SGInnovate is excited to partner with NTT to connect Singapore's Deep Tech startups with opportunities in Japan's innovation ecosystem, creating new collaboration and commercialization pathways between Southeast Asia and Japan."

○ Kuan Hsu, Managing Director of Synexia Ventures

"The NTT Startup Challenge has become one of the most meaningful bridges between Asia's startup ecosystem and an iconic Japanese corporate institution, and its impact on the region continues to deepen year after year. We at Synexia Ventures are honored to be part of this journey, and see our role as a natural extension of the collaboration the Challenge has fostered. To startups across Asia considering this year's Challenge: I would warmly encourage you to take part. Building a lasting relationship with NTT Group is a journey of genuine partnership, and we look forward to walking that path together with you."

¹NTT Group Expands "NTT Startup Challenge" for Second Consecutive Year
~Aiming to Foster New Business Ventures Through Startup Partnerships in Southeast Asia~
https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2025/05/19/250519a.html

²NTT East, NTT West, NTT DATA, NTT DOCOMO GLOBAL, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, NTT Com Asia Ltd., NTT Docomo Solutions, NTT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, NTT Technocross, NTT Urban Solutions, NTT Integration, NTT DOCOMO Ventures, NTT Finance, NTTVC, Synexia Ventures

³NTT Group Establishes Its First Southeast Asia Startup Investment Vehicle, "Synexia Ventures" — Fostering New Business Creation within the NTT Group through a Dedicated Investment Function Focused on Southeast Asia —
https://www.nttdocomo-v.com/en/news/3we8r6oq5o/
https://www.ntt-finance.co.jp/eng/news/251111.html

About NTT

NTT is a leading global technology innovator, providing a broad range of services to both consumers and businesses. As a mobile operator and provider of infrastructure, networks, and services, NTT is dedicated to promoting a sustainable future through cutting-edge innovations. Our portfolio includes business consulting, AI-powered solutions, application services, global networks, cybersecurity, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. Generating over $90 billion in revenue and employing 340,000 professionals, we allocate 30% of our annual profits to fundamental research and development. With operations spanning more than 70 countries and regions, our clients include over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, alongside thousands of enterprises, government organizations, and millions of consumers.