Third place
Third place, recognized with cash prize and access.
- 01 $10,000Cash to third place
- 02 Discovery call with the most relevant ASICS business unit
- 03 One pair of custom ASICS shoes to each founder
By applying you agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Seven prior editions between 2017 and 2025, now formalized.
The 2026 edition in Ann Arbor is the first with a name, a permanent home on the calendar, and a public stage. This year's theme is New Experiences: the services, products, and communities bringing more people into ASICS.
The services, products, and communities that bring more people into ASICS.
Four categories shape this year's pitch theme. Each category touches a distinct type of experience.
Wearables, nutrition, and performance products — anything worn or consumed that enhances how the body moves and performs.
Wearables · Nutrition · Performance Products
Retail technology and third spaces — innovations that change how and where people encounter running and movement in the real world.
Retail Technology · Third Spaces · Live Event Experience
Communities and digital placement — platforms, content channels, and social tools that build connection or expose new audiences to the sport.
Community Platforms · Content Channels · Social Tools
Sleep, recovery, and preventive wellness — products and services that support the foundational wellness that makes movement possible.
Sleep · Recovery · Preventive Wellness
If your work fits one of these categories, apply by July 30, 2026.
Four requirements. Every application is reviewed against each.
Your work fits one of the four 2026 categories: Experience Movement, Physical, Digital, or Wellness. See this year's New Experiences brief for the full focus.
US-incorporated and in good standing, with no active litigation or regulatory action against the company or its founders.
Founders can travel to Ann Arbor for Pitch Day (October 22, 2026). All pitches take place in person.
Anything that lands in Experience Movement, Physical, Digital, or Wellness is in scope. Athletic footwear and performance apparel sit outside it.
The top three teams leave Kenzen with cash, a discovery call with the most relevant ASICS business unit, and a custom pair of ASICS shoes. The winning team carries that further — with a stage at a 2027 ASICS Pitch event and a business-collaboration discussion with ASICS.
A short form. Eleven questions and a pitch deck.
Last day to apply. ASICS evaluates every submission against the brief.
Six finalists named on ASICS channels. Travel and logistics coordinated by ASICS.
Six finalists pitch to the judging panel. Prizes awarded the same day.
It is a great pleasure to launch Kenzen in America, alongside the establishment of ISS America. We believe this project will drive innovation, expand collaboration with startups, and enhance customer experiences to create new value. We look forward to receiving innovative ideas.
Innovation is a continuous journey from past to future. We believe startups can play an important role in shaping the next future. This program provides a space for open innovation with American startups. Through collaboration with startups, we hope to grow together over time.
The questions we get most. Application, eligibility, pitch day, travel.
Email asics_accelerator-hq@asics.com. Please review the FAQ first; responses may take a few days.
Applications open June 2, 2026 and close July 30, 2026. The form takes about five minutes, with eleven questions covering company basics, primary contact, and your primary category, plus a required pitch deck of up to fifteen slides. Apply through the application link on this page.
No. Applying to Kenzen is free. Finalists are not charged either.
Yes. Kenzen 2026 is open to US-incorporated startups. Finalists must be able to travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the in-person pitch on October 22, 2026.
Your work should fit one of the four 2026 categories (Experience Movement, Physical, Digital, or Wellness) and align with this year's New Experiences brief. Athletic footwear and performance apparel sit outside the scope of this edition.
Yes. Applicants must be US-incorporated and in good standing, with no active litigation or regulatory action against the company or its founders.
Finalists will be required to sign an NDA with ASICS. Applications themselves should not include any confidential information of the applicant or third parties.
One application per company.
ASICS reviews every submission against the brief through August. Six finalists will be named on August 31, 2026 and notified by email with logistics and program details from that point on.
Each finalist company is invited to send two representatives to Ann Arbor. ASICS covers travel and accommodation for both. Additional team members are welcome to attend at their own expense.
Six finalist companies pitch their businesses and collaboration ideas in front of the judging panel, ASICS leadership, and invited guests. Prizes and partnership opportunities are awarded that day.
English.
No. ASICS covers economy airfare, ground transportation, and two nights of accommodation for two representatives per finalist company. Accommodation is arranged by the organizer. Full logistics are shared with finalists after the August 31 announcement.
No. All finalists are required to pitch in person in Ann Arbor, Michigan on October 22, 2026.
Six finalist companies. Two representatives each. One day in Ann Arbor.
Company details and contact info.
Your category and what you're building.
Pitch deck, up to fifteen slides (PDF).