Boiling Point: Fukuoka’s Startup Scene Heats Up at RAMEN TECH 2025

RAMEN TECH 2025 brought a full week of entrepreneurship, technology, and international networking to the streets of Fukuoka. Spread across multiple venues and attracting participants from all over the world, the city once again proved why it is emerging as a major innovation hub in Asia.

Innovation Begins in Fukuoka

The eight-day international startup event RAMEN TECH returned to Fukuoka this October, bringing with it ambitious founders, global talent and startup buzz. What began as a bold concept last year has officially matured into one of Japan’s most distinctive innovation festivals, drawing investors, creators, founders, and other professionals from a rapidly expanding range of industries, such as biotech, AI, XR, robotics and digital health.

At its core, RAMEN TECH is a celebration of Fukuoka’s identity: a city vibrant with creative collisions – traditional Yatai food stalls meet modern skyscrapers. The event’s name – Revolutionizing Asia: Merging Ecosystems & Networks (short ‘RAMEN’) – reflects this mission. Just as Tonkotsu Ramen evolved in Fukuoka and spread worldwide, the city is positioning itself as a launchpad for globally impactful startups and technologies.

Global Summit Takes Center Stage

While the event lasted a week, the heartbeat of RAMEN TECH pulsed on October 8 and 9 during the Global Summit. There were pitch contests, exhibitions, expert sessions, and reverse pitches, alongside spontaneous meetups that showcased Fukuoka’s lively startup ecosystem in action.

The mainstage session “The Rise of Fukuoka’s Startups – History and Future” featured Mayor Takashima alongside leaders from Mercari and Sakura Internet. Together, they traced how Fukuoka’s startup culture grew from over 10 years of collaboration between government, universities, local companies, and citizens. Social-impact startups, particularly those addressing education, sustainability, and community challenges, are emerging as a defining part of Fukuoka’s next growth phase.

The global dimension was further reinforced by Colive’s session “Why Fukuoka? – Fukuoka’s Blueprint,” where four speakers explored how digital nomads, international communities, startup support, and proactive government policies are positioning Fukuoka for its next phase of global growth.

Pitching for Impact

The festival’s pitch competition brought 19 finalists to the stage, with amidex winning the ¥1,000,000 grand prize for its non-drilling dental treatment technology. Their vision – to help people preserve natural teeth for life – matched the festival’s broader theme of innovation with real-world impact.

Other standout pitches included cross-border healthtech platforms, AI-powered marketing tools, sustainability startups, and XR solutions, further underscoring Fukuoka’s diversification as a startup ecosystem.

A City Built for Startups

Fukuoka has spent over a decade cultivating one of Japan’s most founder-friendly environments, offering visa support for international entrepreneurs, corporate tax incentives, subsidies and attractive financial aid for startups, and collaborations with universities and private-sector partners

Beyond official RAMEN TECH sessions, the city buzzed with activity. Reverse pitches at FFG Mirai no Kaigi connected regional startups with corporate venture teams. International founders shared cross-border insights, while local SMEs spoke about why Fukuoka’s compactness and “one-stop support culture” make it uniquely easy to launch and grow. 

Whether it was networking at the startup booths, grabbing a bowl at the ramen stalls beside Daimyo Garden City, or connecting over coffee and craft beer in cafés, coworking hubs, and bars across the city—everyone became part of the shared experience.

RAMEN TECH illustrated Fukuoka’s ecosystem in action: a citywide demonstration of how local ambition meets global opportunity.

The Future of RAMEN TECH

Behind all the energy lies a deeper truth: Fukuoka’s compact geography creates an unusually high density of human connection. People meet easily, communities overlap, and collaborations form organically. This openness makes the city fertile ground for international founders and investors. And with that, the second week of October is becoming THE week to be in Fukuoka for anyone engaged in startups and innovation – as Mayor Takashima noted in his opening speech.

So whether you’re a founder exploring Japan or an investor scouting the next high-growth hotspot, mark your calendar for RAMEN TECH 2026, for when Fukuoka will be serving another hot bowl of innovation – and this one might just change your business.

There is no I in Fukuoka but there is a U!

Feel free to drop by anytime or shoot us a message. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting you on this exciting and wonderful journey.

Global Business Support

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00-17:00 (Days closed : Sundays and Holidays)

Location:

Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN)

Fukuoka Growth Next 1F, 2 Chome-6-11 Daimyo, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka 810-0041

As there is no on-site parking or bicycle parking available, we kindly ask that you utilize nearby parking facilities or bicycle parking areas.

Cambridge Innovation Center（CIC）

ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 7F, 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0001

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