NEC X’s Elev X! Recognized for Innovation with Global Business Tech Award Shortlist – Second Year Running

Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens when bold ideas are paired with the right technology, expertise, and opportunity to scale. That belief is central to Elev X!, NEC X’s Silicon Valley–based venture studio, and it’s why we’re proud to share that Elev X! has been shortlisted for a Global Business Tech Award in the Tech Incubator and Accelerator category for the second consecutive year. The recognition highlights a program designed to turn emerging technologies into real-world solutions with a global impact.

This shortlist recognition celebrates more than a program. It highlights the founders, engineers, researchers, mentors, and partners working behind the scenes to transform bold ideas into scalable, market-ready businesses that solve real problems.

A Venture Studio Built for Real-World Impact

Rooted in NEC’s 125-year legacy of innovation, NEC X was created to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical adoption. Elev X! goes beyond the traditional accelerator model by giving founders access to something few programs can offer: enterprise-grade technology, deep R&D collaboration, and global scale.

“Our mission with Elev X! has always been to help founders build technology that actually gets used,” said Shintaro Matsumoto, President & CEO, NEC X. “Being shortlisted for this award validates the hard work of our team and the entrepreneurs we support every day.”

Success Stories That Speak for Themselves

The true impact of Elev X! can be seen in the companies it helps bring to life. The startups we support are not only innovative but deliver measurable results at scale.

• WeWalk: A smart cane transforming mobility for people with visual impairments. WeWalk has been recognized by Forbes Accessibility 100, TIME Best Inventions, Amazon, and Fast Company, delivering measurable improvements in independence, confidence, and safety.
• Metabob: An AI-powered debugging platform that turns fragmented AI coding into reliable development workflows. Designed and deployed with NEC X, Metabob drastically reduced software maintenance time across NEC’s global operations.
• Flyhound: A drone-based search and rescue solution that can locate missing persons up to 100x faster than traditional methods. Flyhound won the $1M GENIUS NY Grand Prize and demonstrates how advanced technology can directly save lives.
• Verdi: An AI-powered sustainable farming platform that has saved 100+ million litres of water and over $1M in irrigation costs, raising $9.5M in funding to date.

What Being Shortlisted Means to Our Team

For the NEC X team, being shortlisted for a Global Business Tech Award is more than an accolade. It’s recognition of a shared philosophy and years of commitment to founder-first innovation.

“Entering the Global Business Tech Awards gave us a chance to reflect on how far Elev X! has come,” said Shintaro Matsumoto, President & CEO, NEC X. “This shortlist is incredibly meaningful and motivates us to keep raising the bar for what venture studios can be.”

It also reinforces the importance of building innovation programs that focus on long-term value, real deployment, and societal progress, not just experimentation.

Looking Ahead

As Elev X! continues to grow, our focus is clear: Empower founders, accelerate the adoption of advanced technology, and scale solutions that address real-world challenges globally.

We’re honored to be shortlisted and deeply grateful to the entrepreneurs, partners, and NEC teams who make Elev X! what it is.

To learn more, visit https://www.elev-x.com/, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.