Innovation only matters when it makes an impact in the real world. At NEC X, that belief has shaped everything we do from how we support founders to how we bring advanced technologies to practical use. 

Today, we’re honored to share that NEC X’s Elev X! Venture Studio has been recognized as Best Tech Incubator/Accelerator at the 2026 Global Business Tech Awards. This recognition builds on last year’s achievement and reflects the continued evolution of our approach to venture building, one that is increasingly focused on real-world deployment, measurable outcomes and global scalability. 

Building a Foundation of Real-World Innovation 

Since its inception, NEC X has worked to bridge a critical gap: transforming breakthrough technologies into solutions that can be adopted and scaled for real-world use. Rooted in NEC’s 125-year legacy and powered by its global R&D ecosystem, Elev X! was designed to go beyond traditional accelerator models.  

 Rather than focusing solely on early-stage experimentation, Elev X! emphasizes execution—working closely with founders to refine and polish their technologies into products that don’t just exist, but are truly used, integrated, and scaled across industries. 

This philosophy has guided our continued evolution. As industries face increasingly complex challenges, we’ve sharpened our focus on supporting B2B/B2G, industry-specific AI startups solutions designed not for hype, but for impact.  

A Venture Studio Designed for Outcomes, Not Just Ideas 

Elev X! offers programs designed to support early-stage startups across different phases of growth: 

• A tech incubation program supporting startups from ideation to MVP and initial market traction 

• A tech and business collaboration program helping startups accelerate commercialization and prepare for rapid growth 

• Follow-on investment support through its corporate venture capital (CVC) activities 

What differentiates Elev X! is the depth of support behind these programs.
Founders gain access to: 

• Up to $250K in funding and investor readiness support 

• Direct collaboration with NEC’s $8B R&D ecosystem and 45,000+ patents 

• Hands-on engineering, mentorship, and product development guidance 

• A global footprint spanning 55+ markets for pilots and expansion 

• A growing ecosystem of thousands of partners, investors, and institutions  

This model enables founders to move faster from concept to deployment while reducing the friction that often prevents promising technologies from reaching the market. 

Innovation That Delivers Measurable Impact 

The success of Elev X! is best reflected in the companies it helps build startups that are not only innovative, but deliver real results across industries. 

• WeWalk is redefining accessibility with a smart cane used in 59+ countries, improving independence, safety, and confidence for people with visual impairments  

• Metabob is transforming software development with AI-driven debugging, reducing maintenance time across NEC’s global operations by up to 66%  

• Multitude Insights is modernizing law enforcement intelligence with BLTN — an AI-powered platform that enables real-time intelligence sharing across agencies — and recently closed a $10M Series A  

• Verdi is driving sustainable agriculture, saving over 100 million liters of water and more than $1M in irrigation costs  

Across its portfolio, NEC X has now supported more than 220 startups, reflecting significant growth and momentum in the past year alone.  

From Shortlist to Winner: What This Recognition Means 

Earlier this year, Elev X! was shortlisted for the Global Business Tech Awards as an acknowledgment of the progress we’ve made and the impact of our growing ecosystem.  

Winning in 2026 represents something more: validation of a model that prioritizes real deployment over experimentation, collaboration over isolation, and long-term value over short-term gains. 

It’s also a recognition of the people behind this journey the founders building transformative companies, the engineers and researchers advancing technology, and the partners who help bring these innovations to life. 

Accelerating What’s Next 

The pace of innovation is only increasing, and so is the need for solutions that can scale globally and deliver tangible outcomes. 

Looking ahead, NEC X is focused on: 

• Expanding Elev X!’s reach across industries 

• Supporting the next wave of industry-focused AI startups 

• Deepening collaboration between startups and enterprise ecosystems 

• Continuing to reduce the gap between innovation and adoption 

Applications to Elev X! continue to grow, reflecting rising demand for a venture model that combines startup agility with enterprise-scale capability.  

Join Us in Shaping What’s Next 

This award is not a finish line it’s a milestone in an ongoing journey. 

At NEC X, we remain committed to empowering founders, advancing technology, and building solutions that create meaningful, measurable impact. 

If you’re a founder ready to build, a partner looking to collaborate, or an investor seeking the next generation of innovation, we invite you to be part of what comes next.