RAMEN TECH 2026 kicks off Oct. 7 in Fukuoka with 100+ events

RAMEN TECH 2026 opens Oct. 7 across Fukuoka for a five-day startup and co-creation week expected to draw more than 15,000 participants. The program spans 100+ events and 140+ partners, with a free matching platform, international networking, and cross-border sessions designed to connect founders, investors, creators and engineers.

Why it matters: - Fukuoka is using RAMEN TECH 2026 to deepen its position as one of Japan's most active startup hubs and a meeting point for global founders, investors and builders. - The five-day format is designed to turn the city itself into a networking venue, which can increase face-to-face connections across startups, corporates, universities and public-sector groups. - The event's international focus matters because organizers expect more than 15,000 participants and are building programming around cross-border business matching.

What happened: - RAMEN TECH 2026 opens Oct. 7 and runs through Oct. 11 across Fukuoka's Tenjin, Daimyo and Hakata districts. - The program includes more than 100 events co-created with over 100 partners, with the total partner count exceeding 140. - Organizers say the week is expected to welcome more than 15,000 participants. - RAMEN TECH is being held back to back with Colive Fukuoka 2026, a program for digital nomads visiting the city. - The event is now in its third year.

The details: - The 2026 program brings together founders, investors, corporates, universities, creators and public-sector leaders from Japan and abroad. - Fukuoka has built its startup ecosystem since declaring itself a Startup City in 2012. - In 2015, Fukuoka became the first municipality in Japan to issue a startup visa for foreign entrepreneurs. - The decentralized format features 17 official partner venues hosting Link Events, 13 coworking partners open to registered participants during the week, and 33 ramen partners across the city. - Participation begins with free registration on EntryTickets, where users can search participants by country, region and sector, send messages and book meetings. - Registered participants can use a QR membership card on their smartphones to check in at venues. - Some events require separate registration on other platforms. - The week includes more than 20 networking events. - The Opening Party is set for Oct. 7 at Tenjin Business Center II. - RAMEN TECH Global Summit 2026 is set for Oct. 8. - As of Sept. 30, 22 events focus on global themes, including cross-border pitch and business-matching programs with partners from Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. - The program is organized into 13 themes, including fundraising, open innovation, AI, deep tech, space, food, travel and wellness. - The organizer is the RAMEN TECH 2026 Secretariat, made up of Fukuoka City, Zero-Ten Co., Ltd., Zero-Ten Park Co., Ltd. and YUGYO Inc. - The program concept is “SLURP UP THE FUTURE.” - The website is the official RAMEN TECH site, and registration is available through the participant portal.

Between the lines: - RAMEN TECH is following the city-wide startup week model used in other global tech hubs, but it is tailoring that model to Fukuoka's local mix of startups, creators and cultural venues. - The addition of ramen partners and coworking spaces suggests organizers are trying to make networking feel more embedded in city life, not limited to conference rooms. - The free matching platform is a practical signal that the event is prioritizing pre-scheduled connections over random drop-in attendance.

What's next: - Participants can continue registering on EntryTickets before and during the week, though some events require separate sign-up. - Organizers say completing a profile before the event will help participants turn the five days into lasting connections. - Schedules and venues for Link Events remain subject to change, and attendees are directed to EntryTickets for the latest details. - The listed Link Events run from Oct. 7 through Oct. 11, alongside related programming including Colive Fukuoka 2026 from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10.

The bottom line: - RAMEN TECH 2026 is trying to make Fukuoka a live matchmaking hub for Asia's startup ecosystem by spreading more than 100 events across the city and pairing them with a digital networking platform.