[NEWS] VUILD CEO Koki Akiyoshi Wins the Grand Prix at ICC Summit KYOTO 2026 “CRAFTED CATAPULT” with a Record-High Score of 74

In the presentation, he proposed a future for architecture and making in which digital technology is combined with local materials and skills, so that makers and users create value together.

“CRAFTED CATAPULT” is a presentation session featuring challengers who enrich everyday life through fields such as making, local culture, food, design and travel.

In this session, seven companies each gave a 7-minute presentation around the keyword “CRAFTED.” Following a vote by 48 judges who are leaders in their fields, Koki Akiyoshi (VUILD) received 74 points and won the Grand Prix (1st place).

Under the theme of “the democratization of architecture,” which VUILD has pursued since its founding in 2017, Koki Akiyoshi introduced VUILD’s practice of architecture and making using digital design and digital fabrication.

He presented the company’s work and the business it has grown, from EMARF, a platform that lets anyone design and order timber machining online, to furniture made with local resources and large-scale buildings now in progress. Drawing on the challenges and possibilities revealed through this work, he proposed a future for the construction industry and how to build an environment where not only professionals but also everyday people and local makers can take part in making.

▼ Watch the presentation here

(Akiyoshi’s presentation starts at 1:08:50)

Koki Akiyoshi founded VUILD in 2017 as an architect and entrepreneur, and practices architecture and making with digital technology. In addition to architectural design, VUILD works across scales and fields, including furniture and products made with digital fabrication and spaces that make use of local resources.

First, I am sincerely grateful to everyone at ICC for creating this opportunity. VUILD is now in its ninth year, and we have struggled with the numbers all along. To be honest, business is really not my strong suit. Even so, we are finally starting to see results as a business as well. I am deeply grateful to our shareholders, who have always supported us, and to our members, who have run alongside us for nine years. In this pitch, my goal was to receive one point from each of the 49 judges. I am very happy that we ended up being rated with 74 points. With this Catapult win as momentum, we hope to grow in terms of both business and impact. Thank you for your continued support.

• Event: Industry Co-Creation (ICC) Summit KYOTO 2026

• Session: CRAFTED CATAPULT
  Toward richer lifestyles

• Session date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

• Dates/venue: August 31 – September 3, 2026, The Westin Miyako Kyoto (main venue) and others

• Companies presenting in the session: nokNok, Only One Travel, Sasaki Seika, Kyodo Shoji (COEDO Brewery), SOMA, ACTA PLUS, VUILD

• Presentation time: 7 minutes each

• Number of judges: 48

• Result: Grand Prix (1st place)

VUILD is a design and making collective that aims to transform the construction industry through digital technology. With digital fabrication at its core, VUILD has the technical foundation and experience to meet a wide range of needs, from designing and fabricating complex, large-scale timber structures to working with diverse materials and forms and high-precision machining on short lead times. As a partner that brings the free ideas of architects and designers to life, we continue to expand the possibilities of making.

Company: VUILD Inc.
Address: 1-7-24 Shimoechi, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
Representative: Koki Akiyoshi, CEO
Founded: November 21, 2017
Capital: 100 million yen
Business: Architectural design; development and manufacturing of timber products; sales of CNC routers; digital talent development; business development support; IT service development
URL: https://vuild.co.jp/

VUILD Inc. Public Relations
Email: press@vuild.co.jp