Hitachi is seeking transformative technologies to help shape the future of mobility and manufacturing by creating safer, cleaner and more connected transportation systems and smarter, more efficient industrial operations.
The Hitachi Startup Challenge FY26 invites innovative companies worldwide to join an eight-week program, building a Proof of Concept plan with participating Hitachi Business Units and presenting it at the Final Competition Day, where winners will be selected to progress to a potential pilot.
Entry categories
Intermodal Mobility:
Solutions that give operators a single view of a network across all transport modes, help them make better use of existing capacity, and improve end-to-end passenger experience.
Infrastructure & Vehicle Intelligence:
Sensing, monitoring, and perception technologies that create real-time data of assets, infrastructure, and operating environments, enabling predictive maintenance and precise localization for autonomous vehicles.
Physical AI & Automation:
Robotics and Physical AI solutions for inspection, maintenance, operational processes and complex manufacturing tasks across mobility, energy, infrastructure enablement, and manufacturing, including autonomous ground vehicles for factory and logistics operations.
Smart Engineering:
Solutions that connect engineering data across the product lifecycle, automate the processing of legacy documents and requirements, and speed up design with AI agents.
Wildcard: Frontier Innovation:
Innovative solutions beyond the core challenge areas with the potential to redefine the future of mobility and create value for customers, operators and society. This could include emerging areas such as post-quantum cybersecurity, advanced and lightweight materials, circular economy solutions, next-generation mobility concepts, and other breakthrough innovations
Watch the highlights from last year's event.
Timeline
This current timeline is indicative and may change
Applications Open - 21st September
Applications Close - 8th November 11:59pm GMT
Selection - w/c 7th December
Lab Live - 14th December - 19th February
Includes a two-week break over the winter holidays
Competition Day - w/c 22nd February
Working with Hitachi
Selected innovative companies across all challenge categories will work directly with Hitachi Business Unit members over the eight-week program to develop a Proof of Concept plan for their solutions. At the Final Competition Day in February 2027, end of the program, each company will present its PoC plan together with the relevant Business Unit members to a panel of senior Hitachi leaders. The panel will select the winning teams, which will have the opportunity to pilot and potentially scale their solutions across Hitachi’s mobility and manufacturing operations.
About L Marks
L Marks is the global leader in corporate innovation, trusted by many of the world’s most well-respected brands and organisations to identify, validate, and implement transformative solutions. Through its global network spanning over 80 countries, L Marks discovers more than 10,000 startups annually and has enabled over 500 to pilot with corporate partners, achieving an industry-leading deployment rate of 78%. Its alumni have collectively raised over $9.4 billion in venture funding. With over a decade of experience in delivering 120+ award-winning innovation programmes across Europe, North America, and Asia, L Marks is embedding new structures and technologies, driving an innovative culture, and ultimately fuelling sustainable growth.
To learn more, visit lmarks.com
Contact
For any program queries, please contact Nicole Maldonado, Innovation Scout at L Marks on nicole@lmarks.com.
FAQ
When is the deadline for applying?
Applications close on 8th November 2026 11:59pm GMT.
What information do I need to provide in my application?
We ask for information about your company, your product, the problem it solves, your existing customer base, and how your solution is relevant to Hitachi. Be specific; the strongest applications are clear about what the product does and who it is for.
What happens once I've applied?
Once you have submitted your application, L Marks will review all responses in partnership with Hitachi. L Marks may be in touch to gather further information. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a selection interview, where you will speak with Hitachi stakeholders directly and enable them to ask questions and evaluate if your solution could be right for them.
I don't live in the UK. Can I apply?
Yes. We are scouting globally. You will need to be available to work with Hitachi teams during UK business hours for the Lab Live phase.
Is there a minimum age?
You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
What if my solution applies to more than one category?
If your solution applies to more than one category, please select the category that best reflects its primary use case. Feel free to highlight its relevance to other categories when answering questions about your product and/or use case. If you’re unsure, contact Nicole Maldonado, Innovation Scout at L Marks, at nicole@lmarks.com to discuss how best to position your solution within the challenge categories.
What type of products are you looking for?
We are scouting for solutions across four specific areas: Intermodal Mobility, Infrastructure & Vehicle Intelligence, Physical AI & Automation, Smart Engineering, and Wildcard: Frontier Innovation. Full details on what we are looking for within each area are available in the relevant sections of this page. If you have a solution that spans more than one area, please reach out to the Innovation Scout to decide how best to apply.
Do I need to give away equity to participate?
No. We do not ask for equity as a condition of participating in the program.
Are you asking for exclusivity?
No. We will ask you to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement, which applies to both parties throughout the program. We are not asking for an exclusivity agreement.
Will I need to disclose confidential information about my business?
Selected companies will be required to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement before the Lab Live phase begins. This ensures both parties can work openly and productively. At the application stage, please only share information you would consider in the public domain.
What are the terms of entry into the Lab?
Selected companies will be required to sign a Participation Agreement and an NDA.
Are you offering any travel support or assistance?
Travel support to participate in program-related activities is at Hitachi’s discretion and will be discussed directly with selected companies ahead of the program.
If selected, what are the key dates I will need to be available for?
Selection: Week commencing 7th December 2026
Lab Live: 14th December – 19th February 2027 (incl. a winter break from 21st December - 3rd January).
Competition: Week commencing 22nd February 2027
Is this like other accelerators?
No. This is not a startup accelerator. The Hitachi Startup Challenge FY26 is a structured validation program. Selected companies work directly with Hitachi teams during the Lab Live phase, with a clear commercial path for solutions that demonstrate value.
When does the program run?
Lab Live runs from the week commencing 14th December through to the 19th February 2027, with Competition in the week commencing 22nd February 2026.
Where is the program based?
The program will be primarily based in London, with a mix of in-person and remote working during Lab Live. Key milestone events will require in-person attendance.
Do I have to relocate to participate?
No relocation is required. There are specific in-person dates throughout the program, including Selection and Competition Day. Logistics will be discussed directly with selected companies to find an arrangement that works.
Will Hitachi invest in every company that joins the program?
There is no guaranteed investment or contract as an outcome of the program. However, the aim of the program is for successful companies to extend into a pilot.
How many companies will be selected?
We expect to take forward a handful of companies across the 5 category areas. The final number will depend on specifics of the submissions we receive, but a smaller group (around 5-7 companies) ensures a more rigorous and productive Lab Live experience for everyone involved.
Who is L Marks and what is their role?
L Marks is a global leader in corporate innovation, responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the Hitachi Startup Challenge FY26. This includes scouting, screening, program management, and supporting companies throughout the process. To learn more, visit lmarks.com.
What does the day-to-day look like during Lab Live?
Lab Live is an eight-week phase where selected companies work directly with Hitachi teams on defined use cases, using real data and real customer scenarios. The structure is tailored to each startup and scaleup's specific tool area, with regular reviews and stakeholder engagement throughout.
What is the process?
The program runs across four stages:
Apply
Screening and Selection
Lab Live
Competition
European Headquarters
Hitachi Europe Limited
Ditton Park
Riding Court Road
Datchet
Slough, SL3 9LL, United Kingdom