Ambassador

Joined Sumitomo Chemical in 2005, where they were engaged in research and development, as well as new business planning for high-performance materials.
After working in venture creation support at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), they joined Osaka University Venture Capital (OUVC) in 2017. As a capitalist, they primarily focus on “Company Creation” (founding support for university-derived research seeds), investment operations, and hands-on management support for portfolio companies. Their target sectors for support and investment include drug discovery/healthcare, environment/energy, machinery/materials/manufacturing, and information and communication technology (ICT). Alongside their primary role, they also serve as an Entrepreneurship Promotion Ambassador for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), actively working to promote and popularize entrepreneurship education.

Education
Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University (Master’s Degree)
Graduate School of Business Administration, Keio University (MBA)

As a specialist in business incubation connecting Japan’s innovation ecosystem with the rest of the world, Alex has supported the launch of numerous startups and the development of new public and private sector ventures. In 2018, he co-founded EDGEof, which welcomed more than 15,000 participants from over 50 countries within its first two years, driving international collaboration.
Today, he serves as the Japan Representative of Start2 Group, a global accelerator supporting startups’ international expansion across more than 20 countries. He also works closely with embassies, government agencies, and startup support organizations around the world to develop innovation initiatives, while mentoring entrepreneurs through a wide range of startup acceleration and incubation programs. He also serves as a Tokyo Metropolitan Government Startup Fellow and Operations Manager at Endeavor Japan, among other leadership roles.

Hinza Asif is an entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and international business strategist dedicated to connecting startups, venture capital firms, corporations, and government organizations across Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. She is the Founder and President of Asia AI & Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ), a non-profit organization established to strengthen cross-border innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship by creating meaningful partnerships between emerging startups and established industry leaders.

With more than 11 years of experience living and working in Japan, Hinza has developed an extensive network across the country’s startup, investment, and technology ecosystem. Her work focuses on helping founders expand into Japan, supporting Japanese companies in accessing international opportunities, and creating platforms where entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and corporate innovators can collaborate to solve real business challenges.

Under her leadership, AWAJ has become a growing platform for startup ecosystem development by organizing executive leadership forums, investor networking events, startup pitch sessions, policy discussions, and international business matching programs. Through these initiatives, she works closely with venture capital firms, accelerators, universities, government agencies, financial institutions, and multinational corporations to promote innovation and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout Asia.

Hinza has extensive experience building relationships between the public and private sectors, believing that successful startup ecosystems require long-term collaboration rather than isolated investment activities. She actively supports founders throughout their growth journey by connecting them with strategic partners, investors, mentors, and international markets. Her expertise includes startup ecosystem development, venture capital engagement, cross-border partnerships, innovation strategy, AI, fintech, blockchain, Web3, digital assets, and enterprise technology.

She is also a frequent speaker, moderator, and ecosystem advisor at international conferences and leadership forums, where she shares practical insights on venture capital, startup growth, innovation policy, and global market expansion. Her ability to connect diverse stakeholders has enabled numerous collaborations between startups, corporations, investors, and public institutions, helping transform ideas into long-term partnerships.

Hinza’s vision extends beyond supporting individual startups. She is committed to building a sustainable innovation ecosystem that encourages knowledge sharing, responsible investment, and international cooperation. Through AWAJ, she aims to position Japan as a gateway for global entrepreneurs while helping Asian startups access one of the world’s most advanced business environments.

Looking ahead, Hinza continues to expand AWAJ’s international network and strategic partnerships, creating new opportunities for founders, investors, and enterprises to collaborate across borders. Her mission is to foster an inclusive and globally connected startup ecosystem where innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship drive sustainable economic growth and create lasting value for businesses, communities, and future generations.

Ayano comes to CIC with passion to develop a biotech/healthcare startup ecosystem in Japan. She received a Ph.D. in molecular biology from The University of Tokyo before joining Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). At MEXT, she worked on policy making in the fields of life science and medicine, and was assigned to design the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). In 2017, she started to study at MIT’s System Design and Management program (SDM) where she engaged in the research about the difference of startup ecosystems especially in the life science field between Cambridge/Boston and several cities in the U.S. and Japan. After returning to Japan, she worked on the science, technology and innovation policy at the Cabinet Office and on research and development projects in the nuclear fusion field at MEXT until she joined CIC Japan in 2021.She manages programs which support deeptech startups and their expansion to the global market.

After working in corporate sales at Career Design Center and Google, she founded the general incorporated association at Will Work. She then transitioned into PR and marketing at Money Design and later served as CMO at Plug and Play Japan, overseeing all marketing and public relations efforts. In 2022, she established the Startup Ecosystem Association and became its President. Since November 2024, she has also served as an Associate Specialist Advisor at A.T. Kearney. In 2025, she co-founded FoundersNation, a company that supports startups in their global growth. She currently serves as a Specialist Member of the Cabinet Office’s Regulatory Reform Council Working Group for Startup and Innovation Promotion and as a Startup Strategy Fellow for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Founder and CEO of the MedTech Actuator and Founding Investment Partner at Synthesis Capital. A serial entrepreneur and Professor at the University of Melbourne, he has led MedTech commercialisation, market entry, venture growth and exits globally. A former clinician in orthopaedic regenerative medicine and microsurgery, he combines clinical insight with commercial expertise to advance healthcare.

Born and raised in France, Carole studied Japanese language and business before making Japan the center of her professional journey.
Having been based in Japan for the past three years, she first led the development of the Japanese branch of a French tech startup. For over a year and a half, she has represented Hello Tomorrow Japan, where she fosters connections between the Japanese and international Deep Tech ecosystems.
Driven by the belief that innovation thrives through collaboration, her mission is to build bridges between Japan and the rest of the world, with a particular focus on strengthening ties between Japan and Europe, two dynamic and highly complementary innovation ecosystems.

Chris Cowart serves as the managing director for the Nomura-SRI Innovation Center (NSIC) and is responsible for its operations, creating program content, forming partnerships and working with the member companies. Cowart has been a user experience, design and product executive over the course of his career. He has worked across brands, innovation consulting and venture communities for more than 30 years.

Deb is a 2016 IITB Mechanical Engineering graduate and has worked for 3 years as an RnD Engineer at Daikin Industries Japan, 1 year as a management consultant at Accenture Japan communicating with several valuable key stakeholders at large cap Japanese oil and chemical companies and worked as a Chief Product Officer at Tech Japan, consulting with J-Startup companies, Japanese and Indian Government bodies, several top IITs and IIMs to build a sustainable ecosystem for an efficient India Japan collaboration. From 2025, Deb has started his initiative “uncomfortable” to empower entrepreneurs to build their dreams in Japan. Deb specializes in deeptech – energy, materials, quantum computing.

Denyse Medlenka is the CEO of CIC, a global operator of innovation campuses where startups, scale-ups, corporations and public entities connect, work, and grow. Founded in 1999, CIC manages over 1.5 million square feet of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, CIC develops bespoke programming, builds and enables industry clusters, and provides world-class district consulting—all focused on advancing innovation.

At the heart of Denyse’s work is a belief that supporting innovation doesn’t just build companies—it builds communities. When ecosystems flourish, jobs are created, talent stays, and real pathways to economic mobility open up for individuals and families.

Denyse is a versatile executive with leadership experience across multiple industries and disciplines, including finance, human capital management, marketing, operations, and consulting. Named CEO of CIC in December 2025, she has held progressive leadership roles since joining the organization in 2022—serving as Chief People Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President before assuming her current role. Prior to CIC, Denyse held senior leadership positions at Solo Brands and GameStop. She also serves as a board member of the Kendall Square Association.

Denyse holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Lead expert backing startup growth as a university-affiliated Venture Studio and Accelerator, specializing in cross-border technology transfer and regional innovation platforms across deep-tech sectors, including AI, Digital Health, Bio, Robotics, and Semiconductors.

Brings comprehensive expertise built on a strong career as a Partner at Hebronstar Strategy Consultants and PT Hebronstar Indonesia (APAC market strategy and global BD), Partner at DeltaTech Korea (global technology commercialization with US and European (EEN) networks), and Principal at the Jeju Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (public startup ecosystem building).

Leverages this multidisciplinary background to systematically discover high-potential early-stage ventures, architect open innovation models, and build global collaborative frameworks with international partners to accelerate lab-to-market and deep-tech scale-up pipelines into global markets.

Ikkei established SARR. LLC ‒Science, ART & Research for Reconstruction, in April 2011, after the Earthquake and Tsunami 3.11.
Ikkei established Hokkaido VC in 2000, the first regional and independent VC in Japan. Since then, he has been involved in more than 100 start-ups, and is considered as one of the pioneers in incubation of university spin-offs.
Ikkei supports NEDO, the Japanʼs largest funding organization, in Technology Commercialization Program, and also runs startup accelerator “kizki” in Kyoto He is a member of “National Research and Development Agency Council”, an advisor to Osaka Pavilion at 2025 Osaka EXPO, a member of advisory council of Emerald, and Japan Advisory Partner of Benhamou Global Ventures.

BS(Econ) at Keio University, MBA at INSEAD (France), PhD(Med.) at Hokkaido University.

Ewa is a global ecosystem architect who builds the bridges that shape international innovation. She designs cross-continental expansion programs for startups, corporates and public institutions, with work spanning Europe and Asia and a focus on soft-landing, market entry strategy and ecosystem diplomacy.

She launched and later served as the Interim Director of Venture Café Berlin, leading the strategy of one of Europe’s most dynamic innovation communities and its weekly Thursday Gathering, which brings together 200+ innovators, investors and industry leaders.

Beyond her work at CIC, Ewa has led and co-created numerous high-impact international initiatives, including accelerator programs, ecosystem reviews and cross-border innovation missions. She has delivered projects for institutions such as the City of Warsaw, FinTech Poland, WWF Netherlands, Startup Hub Poland, Takasaki City and the Polish Investment & Trade Agency. Her portfolio includes the Future Finance Summit, Warsaw Finance Week, the Energeia Accelerator, the relaunch of Founder Institute Poland, Tech Reviews for Warsaw, international programs connecting Europe and Asia, and the coordination of high-level delegations across global markets.

Her mission is to build innovation bridges that help founders not only enter new markets but become part of their innovation fabric.

Kenji Fujita is a Cross-Sector Innovation Fellow at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and an Investment Development Partner at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital. Born in Tokyo, he graduated from the School of Law at Waseda University.

Throughout his career, Fujita has led new business creation and open innovation by fostering collaboration between startups, corporations, universities, local governments, and venture capital firms. His work spans venture investment, strategic partnerships, and the development of cross-sector innovation initiatives that create both business and social value.

In 2025, he founded the Innovators Platform Association, where he serves as Representative Director. The association promotes collaboration across industry, government, academia, finance, and startups, with the goal of strengthening Japan’s innovation ecosystem and creating opportunities for innovators to connect and co-create.

Fujita also serves as Special Advisor for the Shibuya Startup Ecosystem and Innovation Promotion Advisor to the City of Kumamoto. In addition, he is a TechGALA Ambassador and a TiB (Tokyo Innovation Base) Starting Member, actively supporting startup ecosystem development throughout Japan.

A frequent university lecturer, keynote speaker, mentor, and startup competition judge, Fujita is dedicated to serving as a catalyst for innovation. By connecting people, organizations, and ideas across sectors and regions, he strives to create new value and accelerate sustainable innovation for society.

Glenn Robertelli is Executive Director of RI Bio, Rhode Island’s life sciences industry association, where he leads ecosystem development across biotechnology, medtech, and digital health — connecting founders, researchers, investors, universities, hospitals, and government. He built the organization’s entrepreneur-in-residence program, founder’s institute, advisor network, and expert office hours, and secured multi-year public and corporate funding to sustain them.
He is concurrently Ambassador for Portal Innovations’ new Ocean State Labs incubator in Providence, and Executive Advisor to Eumetria Bio, an MIT spinout from the Traverso and Langer laboratories commercializing closed-loop precision drug dosing, and to CardiacData Analytics, an AI diagnostics company.
Previously he was co-founder, COO, and board member of Admetsys, a medical robotics and AI company, which he led from inception through ISO 13485 certification, three FDA clinical trials, EU CE Mark, and FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, with partnerships including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, B. Braun, Philips Healthcare, and Fresenius. He is a named inventor on granted US and EU patents. Earlier he founded Intelligen (ViewGuard) across the US, China, and Hong Kong, and began his career in Johnson & Johnson’s Leadership Development Program across Japan, Australia, Brazil, France, and the US.
He holds an MBA from NYU Stern and studied at Stanford’s Inter-University Center in Yokohama and Kyushu University. He speaks Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. He is a 2026 Tech10 Award recipient and a Providence Business News Leaders & Achievers honoree.

Haruka Hashimoto is the Founder and CEO of Convallaria Ltd., a strategic consulting firm specializing in startup incubation, fundraising/investment, and corporate alliances across biotech, healthcare, agri-tech, and beauty-tech. With over 10 years of experience in startup investment and new business development, she supports diverse fields including drug discovery, medical devices, digital health, agricultural, and beauty innovation. For corporate clients, she facilitates strategic capital-business alliances and global technology scouting to drive impactful joint research.

Hayato Watanabe joined Hamamatsu Iwata Shinkin Bank in 2002. After working in branch sales and international business expansion, he became a visiting scholar at Stanford University in 2017 to study the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. In 2020, he successfully launched “FUSE,” the first startup incubation hub in the shinkin bank industry. Currently, he drives startup support and venture capital networking as an analyst in the New Industry Creation Office.

Hideki Fukudome holds a master’s degree in Communications Engineering from the Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University. He began his career at SIGMAXYZ Inc. as a digital strategy consultant, leading new business development, PMO engagements, business due diligence, and data analytics for clients across the beverage, financial services, trading, and retail industries. He then joined MAKOTO Capital and, in 2022, acquired the firm through a management buyout, renaming it Spurcle Inc. and becoming its CEO.

Spurcle is the rare independent venture capital firm headquartered in Japan’s Tohoku region. Fukudome serves as General Partner of its several venture funds, including vehicles established jointly with regional financial institutions. His work centers on investing in high-tech and R&D-driven startups, building new digitally enabled businesses rooted in the region, and providing strategy consulting to companies across Tohoku. He also chairs the organizing committee of ATERUI, a business conference that brings together the region’s entrepreneurs and successors of family enterprises.

He is a Specially Appointed Associate Professor at Miyagi University, a Startup Advisor to Miyagi Prefecture, and a director of the Tohoku Kizuna Table Association.

Born in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, he graduated from Keio University and its graduate school before joining Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc. He was assigned to Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp., where he played a key role in advancing the development of Grand Green Osaka, the large-scale urban redevelopment project in the Umekita Phase 2 district.

After working in area management as well as office and hotel development, he took on a leading role in promoting the project’s innovation-focused core functions. He has been involved with the Umekita Future Innovation Organization (U-FINO), a public-private innovation promotion organization, since before its establishment in October 2022.

Since the pre-opening of Grand Green Osaka in September 2024, he has been based at JAM BASE, the district’s innovation hub, where he has been actively driving U-FINO’s initiatives. His responsibilities include planning and managing DAP, a co-creation program connecting deep-tech startups with established companies, as well as Ecosystem Link, a recurring innovation event designed to strengthen collaboration among startup ecosystems in Japan and around the world.

Hiro Nishiguchi graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Sophia University and earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Throughout his career at The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, the World Bank Group, Mercer, and the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), he has consistently led the launch of new businesses, organizations, and strategic initiatives, building a cross-sector career spanning finance, international organizations, consulting, public-private partnerships, and higher education.

He currently serves as Japan Director for UC Berkeley Executive Education, Professor by Special Appointment at Sophia University, President of Startup Genome Japan, Managing Director for Japan of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), and President of the Japan Bosai Platform, among other roles. Bridging industry, government, academia, and international organizations, he advances the transformation of Japanese companies and promotes sustainable value creation through startup ecosystem development, entrepreneurship education, the international standardization of innovation management, and the global deployment of disaster resilience technologies.

Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1992. Graduated from Rakunan High School. Dropped out of Keio University. While still a student of the university, he served as a representative of the NPO AIESEC in Japan. In 2017, he joined DEEPCORE, an AI-focused incubator and VC within the SoftBank Group, where he was responsible for early-stage investments in R&D-oriented startups. In 2021, he established the ZERO Foundation, a foundation that supports next-generation researchers contributing to solving global challenges, and assumed the position of Representative Director. In 2022, he co-founded HERO Impact Capital, a venture capital firm with young researchers, and assumed the position of General Partner. In 2025, he established the “ZERO INSTITUTE” at Tohoku University and assumed the positions of Deputy Director of the Institute and Visiting Professor at Tohoku University.

Graduated from the School of Commerce at Waseda University and completed the Digital Education and Strategy Program (DSEP) at the University of Tokyo.

After beginning a career in corporate sales at JTB, launched numerous mobile content businesses at CYBIRD during the early days of the mobile internet industry. Later joined GREE as an early-stage member and held a series of leadership roles in business development. Responsibilities included leading GREE’s transition to mobile, establishing strategic business and capital alliances with major telecommunications operators and content IP companies, launching the corporate marketing division, building the game platform business, overseeing operations in China, and developing multiple new business ventures.

Currently active as an angel investor, with investments in approximately 70 startups in Japan and overseas across sectors including IT, media, AI, IoT, robotics, healthcare, drug discovery, advanced materials, and energy. Also serves as an outside director and business advisor to approximately 20 public and pre-IPO companies, providing management support in business strategy, organizational development, and finance.

Career highlights include serving as Project Manager for the IPA Mitou Advanced Program under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mentor for NEDO’s TCP and NEP programs, Business Advisor for SMBC Mirai X, Member of the Content Council at Business Breakthrough University, Outside Director of Confidence Interworks Inc. (TSE: 7374), Outside Director of Storks Inc., Outside Corporate Auditor of WHOMOR Inc., Outside Corporate Auditor of REJECT Inc., and Outside Director of CanBas Co., Ltd.

Hiroki Fujimoto: Managing Executive Officer, Sumitomo Life Insurance Company. He joined the company in 1988. After being seconded to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and serving as Head of the Corporate Governance Office and other roles, he established the Brand Communication Department in 2012 and became its General Manager. Under his leadership, the integrated promotion for “1UP” won multiple awards, including the ACC Grand Prix. In conjunction with the launch of “Vitality,” a health-promoting insurance product, in Japan, he promoted a creating-shared-value (CSV) project. In 2019, he established the New Business Planning Department, and in 2020, he founded the SUMISEI INNOVATION FUND. He also drove open innovation to build a Well-being as a Service (WaaS) ecosystem and advance the field of digital insurance. In 2024, he was appointed Managing Executive Officer. Currently, he is in charge of the New Business Planning Department and the Brand Communication Department. In the same year, he co-founded the general incorporated association WE AT with volunteers from the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and private companies, and assumed the position of Co-President. He also serves as a judge for the Cabinet Office’s Startup Ecosystem Hub Formation Plan and as a project evaluation committee member for AMED’s Healthcare Service Social Implementation Research Project.

Since joining our audit firm, I have had a wide range of job experiences such as statutory audit, IPO related service and due diligence investigation.
Currently, I support university-initiated venture companies and operate open innovation events as a head of Incubation Department, besides the audit.
Also, I strengthen identification of growth start-up companies and support them as a head of start-up in KPMG Japan Private Enterprise Sector.

Hiroyo worked in research planning and urban development. She later led the planning and design of the Tokyo Venture Capital Hub. In April 2023, she joined the launch of the Japan Innovation Campus, an innovation hub established by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Silicon Valley, and has served as General Manager since January 2024.
As General Manager, she supports Japanese startups expanding into Silicon Valley by facilitating business development, building strategic networks, and fostering collaborations with investors, corporations, universities, and research institutions. She plans and manages a wide range of programs, including events, seminars, and networking opportunities, to help startups connect with the local innovation ecosystem. She also develops partnerships with innovation hubs and organizations across the San Francisco Bay Area and promotes collaboration among Japanese and U.S. startups, venture capital firms, corporate venture capital organizations, government agencies, and research institutions, contributing to the global expansion of Japanese innovation.

I’ve been with Sony Corporation for over 30 years, working on business strategy, product strategy, and business development. Some of the main products I worked on include VAIO, PlayStation, and FeliCa. I also served as a board member of the Japan Smartphone Security Association. Currently, I’m at Bridgeport Corporation, supporting startups and supporting with new business development within companies.

Following a career at NTT Research Laboratories, he joined ATR, where he leads corporate strategy and the commercialization of research outcomes.
He has led the development of Keihanna Science City’s global innovation ecosystem and startup support infrastructure.
He has also planned and promoted startup- and innovation-related initiatives for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and Keihanna Expo 2025.

Hitoshi Tanii (born June 1972 in Osaka) is a Japanese serial entrepreneur and angel investor. After graduating from the Faculty of Business Administration at Kobe University, he joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in 1996, but left within a year to pursue entrepreneurship. During the early days of the internet era, he founded and grew several ventures, including a free mailing-list service that he reorganized as Infocast Inc. and sold to Rakuten in 2000.

That same year, he established the company that would later become Synergy Marketing Inc., where he served as President and CEO. Under his leadership, the company’s cloud-based CRM service “Synergy!” grew to hold the No.1 share in the Japanese market. In 2007, he took the company public on the Osaka Securities Exchange’s Hercules market, later moving its listing to JASDAQ in 2010. That year, Synergy Marketing also became the first Japanese company to form a capital and business alliance with Salesforce.com of the United States. In 2014, he completed a buyout through a tender offer by Yahoo Japan, and in 2017 he stepped down as President and CEO.

Following his retirement from Synergy Marketing, Tanii spent two years traveling the world until 2019 — a period of reflection that shaped his next chapter. Upon returning to Japan, he founded PayForward Inc., named after his management philosophy centered on altruism: the idea of paying forward the support one has received to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through PayForward, he has launched multiple new businesses and currently oversees a group of seven companies spanning marketing, entertainment, PR, and other fields.

Beyond his own ventures, Tanii is deeply engaged in supporting the broader business community. He serves as an outside director at several publicly listed companies, including Mandom Corporation, contributing his governance and management experience. As an angel investor, he has backed early-stage startups for over two decades, with ten of his portfolio companies having achieved IPOs — a track record that places him among Japan’s most accomplished individual investors.

He is also the founder and first chapter president of EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization) Osaka, through which he has worked to strengthen peer networks among business owners. Rooted in the Kansai region, Tanii continues to dedicate himself to building a startup ecosystem in western Japan, combining his experience as a founder, investor, and mentor to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Hyelim is a passionate startup ecosystem builder and Head of global business development in dcamp with over 4 years of experience in cross-border expansion. Dedicated to bridging global tech ecosystems, Hyelim has successfully supported numerous startups in scaling internationally, particularly across Asian markets. As an Ambassador for Global Startup Expo 2026, Hyelim is committed to fostering impactful connections between global innovators, investors, and industry leaders to drive the next wave of technological evolution.

Iris studied Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Washington, where she explored a broad range of research areas, from miRNA in cancer biology to the development of advanced prosthetic limbs. At SRI International, she expanded her work into artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer vision, developing technologies with applications across construction, automotive, consumer technology, and healthcare.

Having worked across academia, research institutions, and startups, Iris has gained experience at every stage of translating scientific discoveries into real-world impact. Her work focuses on bridging cutting-edge research with practical applications that create meaningful societal value.

Joined the bank in 1990. Following a broad career across corporate banking, legal affairs, corporate planning, and human resources, established and headed the Retail Marketing Department and the IT Strategy Office. Served as Head of Transaction Banking, leading product strategy and business development for corporate payment solutions. Currently serving as Group Chief Digital Innovation Officer (CDIO), responsible for shaping SMBC Group’s digital strategy and accelerating innovation through strategic partnerships with startups and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Education
• MBA, Helsinki University
• MS, Computer Science, Rochester Institute of Technology
• BS, Computer Science, Korea University
Experience
• 2020~Present, Vice President, AI Industry Cluster Agency (GwangJu, Korea)
• 2018~2020, National R&D Program Director, Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism (Seoul, Korea)
• 2006~2017, Evangelist & Director, Business Development, LG Electronics (Seoul, Korea)
• Advisory Committee Member of Presidential Council on AI
• Expert Committee Member, Presidential Council on Intellectual Property, Korea (2018 ~ 2024)
• Advisory Committee Member of Innovative Industry Roadmap at Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (2017~Current)
• Committee Member of Digital Contents Council, Ministry of Science &ICT (2013~2018)
• Vice President, Korea VR Industry Association (2015~2018)

Jaeyeong Park is the Founder and CEO of The Garrison, a Korea-based cross-border venture platform. He supports startups, investors, corporates, and public institutions across 4 areas, market entry, pilot partnerships, capital access, and global programs. Through FosterBridge, he connects Korea, Japan, ASEAN, Europe, and Central Asia.

Jeff is Country Head, Japan for 500 Global, where he oversees all local programming and market development, and helps formulate strategy for the Japanese market. He has over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, having worked in investment banking, heading large departments across geographies at fast-scaling global ventures, and co-founding and serving as Japan country manager for emerging startups, prior to joining 500 Global. Jeff holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from UC Berkeley, and a Masters Degree in International Finance and Business from Columbia University.

Jeongtae KIM is a social innovator and the CEO of Merry Year Social Company (MYSC).

Founded in 2011, MYSC is a leading impact investor based in Korea, managing over $73m in assets under management (AUM). In 2024, MYSC deployed over $30m of blended financing that included equity, debt, equity-free grant, R&D and technical assistance.

The company has made over 270 investments in Korea and across Southeast Asia (SEA), and is powered by more than 80 dedicated full-time intrapreneurs, which positions MYSC as Asia’s largest and most dynamic early-stage investor.

As the Korean Representative of AVPN and a co-founder of B Lab Korea, MYSC plays a pivotal role in connecting Korea, SEA, and the global community. The company actively contributes to building a thriving impact venture ecosystem in the region. MYSC has its own entity EMV SG in Singapore, and MYSC Thailand, a joint venture for impact business in Thailand.

Prior to MYSC, Jeongtae KIM spent five years working at the United Nations and was a two-time startup founder, with one exit.

Joe joined Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. in 2012. After serving as President and Managing Director of the company’s corporate venture capital arm (Recruit Strategic Partners), he founded Counterpart Ventures in 2018. He invests in US startups focused on AI, DX and deep tech. At Recruit Strategic Partners, he led investment activities in the U.S. as a venture capitalist while building investment strategies as the head of the organization. Prior to Recruit, he started career as software engineer, and then shifted to business development and venture investment at Hitachi Solutions, Ltd. He has resided in Silicon Valley since 2007.

International economist with 25+ years of experience spanning global banking, development finance, and academic research in Europe, the US and Asia. Living in Osaka since 2021. Expertise in demographic economics, health outcomes research, and financial institution coverage, with established relationships across Asian, European, and Latin American public and private sectors. Currently leading health economics research at the Asian Development Bank Institute while advising Osaka Prefecture on its global financial center initiative. Keen swimmer and member of the Kansai Sojuukai Haiku Association.

Joshua Flannery is the Founder and CEO of Innovation Dojo, a global innovation platform with operations in Japan and Australia that connects startups, universities, corporations, investors and governments through cross-border technology and talent initiatives. Through its work, Innovation Dojo helps global innovators engage with Japan while supporting Japanese organisations and startups to build international partnerships and expand into overseas markets.

Joshua has spent more than 15 years working across entrepreneurship, innovation and international business development. He has played leadership roles in the growth of startup ecosystems spanning academia, government and the private sector, including helping to establish the entrepreneurship program at the University of New South Wales, serving as Director of the Sydney Startup Hub, and leading Rainmaking’s expansion in Japan. Throughout his career, he has worked with founders and innovation organisations across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

Today, Joshua leads a diverse portfolio of cross-border initiatives that connect technology, talent and investment opportunities across global markets. Innovation Dojo designs and delivers startup programs, venture building initiatives, corporate innovation projects and international soft-landing programs in partnership with universities, governments and industry. Its activities span sectors including deep technology, health, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, creative industries and emerging technologies.

Joshua believes that the future of innovation lies not within individual ecosystems, but in building trusted international networks that enable technology, talent and ideas to move across borders. His work focuses on creating practical pathways for startups, researchers and entrepreneurs to access new markets, strategic partners, investment opportunities and global talent networks while fostering long-term international collaboration.

He currently serves as an official Startup Recommender for the Kansai region under Japan’s J-Startup program and holds academic appointments supporting entrepreneurship and innovation education. He regularly mentors founders, advises organisations on cross-border innovation strategy, and contributes to initiatives that strengthen Japan’s connections with leading global startup ecosystems.

Through Innovation Dojo and its partner initiatives, Joshua has supported hundreds of startups and innovators while helping to build lasting bridges between Japan and the world. His vision is to foster a more connected global innovation community where technology, talent and ideas can move across borders to address shared challenges and create new opportunities for economic and social impact.

I serve as Assistant to the President of the Organization of Future Medicine, promoting global collaboration centered on Nakanoshima Qross, Osaka’s leading life science innovation hub. I am also Board Member of Next Generation Medicine Japan, President & CEO of MIRACLE SCIENCE INNOVATION Inc., Founder & CEO of CoEvolution LLC, and Specially Appointed Professor at Osaka Metropolitan University.
After more than 30 years as a TMT & Healthcare sector banker at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, where I worked on domestic and international transactions, I now drive global collaboration in healthcare, life sciences, and longevity.

Jun-ichi OKAMURA is a seasoned entrepreneur in the semiconductor sector, having served as the Chairman and Founder of Trigence Semiconductor in Japan. With over 35 years of IC design experience, Jun is both an inventor and co-inventor, holding more than 30 US patents.
In 1986, Jun began his career as a leading DRAM memory designer for Toshiba, later contributing his expertise to IBM in Burlington, VT. In 1999, he joined THine Electronics, a Japanese semiconductor startup specializing in high-speed graphic I/F devices. As a key business executive, Jun played a pivotal role in steering THine to significant success, culminating in its 2001 IPO.
In 2006, Jun, along with two ex-Toshiba colleagues, founded Trigence Semiconductor. Trigence garnered attention, receiving its first investment in 2012 from Intel Capital due to the potential of its unique Dnote® audio technology to revolutionize the PC audio market. Despite having accumulated 22M USD, Trigence faced challenges during a Series D funding round amid the China-USA trade war and was legally liquidated in March 2022.
In 2023, Jun joined AIST Solutions, contributing his wealth of experience to semiconductor platform development. He is actively involved in the Open-Source Silicon for Japan initiative.

Jungwook Lim is a leading startup ecosystem builder in Korea. He is Executive Director of Startup Alliance, a nonprofit organization that grows Korea’s startup ecosystem and connects it to the world.

He previously served as Deputy Minister for startup and venture policy at Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups, where he oversaw the government’s startup support programs. Before that, he was Managing Director at venture capital firm TBT Partners.

Earlier in his career, he spent three years as CEO of Lycos, the US internet company, based in Boston, and also worked in Silicon Valley. He began his career as a reporter covering startups at The Chosun Ilbo, one of Korea’s leading newspapers. He holds an MBA from UC Berkeley.

Karatayev Yerzhan is a Tokyo-based entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of Ringi Co., Ltd., a cross-border business development and technology company connecting Japan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. He leads initiatives spanning market entry, stakeholder engagement, investor and startup ecosystem collaboration, institutional partnerships, and multilingual project delivery. In 2025, he signed Ringi’s partnership memorandum with Astana Hub, served as an official ambassador and exhibitor at SusHi Tech Tokyo, co-hosted an official Central Asia innovation side event, and spoke at IVS Kyoto. Previously, he co-founded Centrly, a graph-based partnership-intelligence platform that raised US$1.5 million and worked with BrightDrop, a General Motors business; he was recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 North America 2021 list in Energy. With 15+ years in technology, including roles at Rakuten, Sportradar, and Narya AI, he builds bridges between technology, business, and emerging innovation ecosystems.

As the head of Open innovation at KDDI, he led numerous startup investments, contributing to KDDI being ranked No.1 for seven consecutive years in the “Innovative Large Enterprise Ranking”. He also spearheaded new business initiatives including metaverse and Web3 projects such as “Virtual Shibuya” and “αU,” as well as the “Spatial Freedom Project” at Takanawa GW City. Currently, he serves as Executive Officer and CBDO of Mizuho Financial Group, overseeing new business development across the group. In addition, he has held numerous public and academic roles.

Keiichiro Nishi joined GLOBIS Corporation in 2003 after beginning his career at Mitsubishi Corporation. He held several leadership positions, including Head of the Osaka Office, Executive Officer and Board Director of the China subsidiary, and member of the executive management team, building extensive experience in organizational transformation, leadership development, and global business management. He continues to contribute to executive education as a lecturer at Globis University Graduate School of Management.

After joining Fujitsu in 2023, he led company-wide strategy and transformation initiatives as Co-Head of the CEO Office. Currently, as Corporate Executive Officer, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Head of the CEO Office, and Head of Strategic Growth & Investments, he drives Fujitsu’s mid- to long-term strategic agenda, business portfolio transformation centered on AI and technology, and growth initiatives including new business development, M&A, and CVC investments

Kengo Horiuchi is an investor and business executive with extensive expertise in technology and digital marketing. During his university years, he majored in physics. After graduating, he joined a consulting firm, where he built a solid professional foundation by leading IT strategy formulation and operational efficiency initiatives for major corporations, as well as gaining hands-on practical experience at a securities brokerage firm.

In 2013, he played a key role in the launch of Treasure Data’s Japanese subsidiary, an enterprise platform provider specializing in big data. Serving as Marketing Director, he spearheaded market development and public relations in Japan while helping clients drive data-driven marketing through Customer Data Platforms (CDP).

Currently, he serves as a General Partner at Carbide Ventures, a venture capital firm focusing on seed and early-stage investments across both Japan and the United States. In addition, he holds board positions at various innovative companies, including serving as an Outside Director at Skillnote, where he continues to support start-up growth and empower enterprise data utilization.

Joined the bank in 1999. Following a long career in project finance for the overseas power generation sector, established an infrastructure investment company and launched ESG-related businesses. Subsequently focused on addressing industrial and societal challenges through business development and strategic initiatives in emerging areas including space, semiconductors, and green transformation (GX). Most recently, led MUFG’s open innovation initiatives and worked on a wide range of projects, including the development of a startup ecosystem at Takanawa Gateway. In current role since April 2026.

Kensuke Tadano (b. 1982)
After graduating from the Faculty of Commerce and Management at Hitotsubashi University, he joined NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) as a news reporter in 2005. From 2008 he worked in public affairs, serving clients in regulated industries — aviation, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, logistics, financial services, and IT — with regulatory research, advocacy, engagement with regulators, and crisis management.
In 2015 he co-founded a guide-matching service for inbound travelers, where he led the company’s response to the Licensed Guide Interpreters Act, the Travel Agency Act, and the Road Transportation Act, and drove the deregulation of the exclusive practice rights attached to that national qualification. He also took part in launching the Sharing Economy Association Japan as a member of its secretariat. In parallel, he served as a member of the Minamisoma City Council (2010–2018) and worked on the turnaround of companies affected by the disaster.
He currently serves as Deputy CIO of Minamisoma City and as Representative Director of the Space Industry Collaboration Organization.
Awards: Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, Space Development and Utilization Awards (2026); PRCA Gold Standard Awards, Public/Private Partnership category (2025); Good Design Award (2019, 2020); selected for Forbes JAPAN’s “88 People Revitalizing the Regions” (2017).

Co-Founder & CEO of UD IMPACT Inc.; Representative Director of ud.Japan Inc.

After graduating from the Department of Business Administration at Sogang University in South Korea, he began his career at Hana Bank and later worked at a management consulting firm before becoming an entrepreneur. In 2015, he co-founded UD IMPACT, launching initiatives focused on entrepreneurship development, ESG, and social impact.

Based in South Korea, he has partnered with government agencies, local authorities, universities, and corporations to grow UD IMPACT into one of the country’s largest entrepreneurship development organizations, supporting and mentoring more than 30,000 entrepreneurs and startups.

In 2025, he established ud.Japan Inc. to further strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and create social impact across Japan, South Korea, and the broader Asian region.

Kimiko IMAI Founder & CEO, SINEORA | Operating Partner, C4Ventures
Kimiko Imai is the Founder and CEO of SINEORA, a specialized consulting firm focusing on cross-border innovation and business development between Europe and Asia. Through SINEORA, she supports corporates and high-growth startups in market entry, strategic partnerships, and international scale-up, while actively engaging with investor networks and startup ecosystems across both regions.
She is also an Operating Partner at C4 Ventures, where she leverages her experience across global corporates and entrepreneurship to support portfolio companies expanding into Asia, with a particular focus on Japan.
Prior to founding SINEORA, Kimiko held senior leadership roles at large corporates including Dassault Systèmes and Nokia. In positions such as Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Global Indirect Sales Channels, she led international Partner ecosystems growth and large-scale transformation programs, driving go-to-market acceleration across multiple regions.
Kimiko holds an MBA from Waseda University and is based in Paris, where she lives with her husband and two children.

In 1989, he joined current Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. At the bank, he spent many years engaged in solution-oriented work, utilizing corporate bonds, securitization, and syndication to meet the needs of client companies. He provided fundraising support based on both individual company analysis and macro-analysis of the industry.
From 2006, at current SMBC Venture Capital Co., Ltd., he managed buyout funds as the head of the PE division, and he contributed to value enhancement for portfolio companies as an outside director and full-time advisor.
He gained extensive experience in both debt and equity operations at both the bank and VC firms.
From 2013, he designed a support scheme for university-based startups at Kyoto University, leading the establishment of Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.(iCAP) in 2014, and subsequently leading the establishment of 2 funds which iCAP serves as GP in 2016 and 2021.
After serving as Executive Officer and Head of Investment at iCAP, he became President and CEO in April 2020.

He graduated from the Faculty of Law, Department of Political Science, Keio University in 1989.

Kristen Plymale is an international leader with a diverse background in music, events, and tech. Her early career work with rockstars led her to Austin over a decade ago, where she discovered a new mission in the tech industry. Kristen pursued a dual-degree MBA and Masters of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to immerse herself in the world’s innovation ecosystems and paid her dues in Boston’s Kendall Square – known as the most innovative square mile on the planet.

Now, as Co Executive Director at Venture Café Global Institute, Kristen collaborates with stakeholders worldwide to grow innovation ecosystems that empower the next generation of tech rockstars to improve the world through innovation. She has successfully expanded the Venture Café network to new markets, countries and regions and continues to create continued growth and impact for Venture Café.

Kristen has worked for various innovation institutions, including the Venture Café Global Institute, Austin Technology Incubator, and the IC2 Institute, among others. She’s a true global citizen who has worked with innovation ecosystems on 6 continents and 17 countries and counting. Kristen also serves on the Advisory Board of Venture Café Monterrey.

Kristen holds an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business and a masters of innovation and entrepreneurship from Tecnológico de Monterrey’s EGADE Business School, as well as a Bachelor’s degree from Washington State University. She is a lifelong learner, with a passion for travel, design, hiking and trying new things (especially food).

Kyohei Fujima has been dedicated to creating and fostering startups in Hokkaido since 2018, aiming to generate regional impact. He has spearheaded numerous startup-related projects in the region, including launching a region-specific accelerator program, implementing startup creation initiatives for local governments, and opening public-private incubation facilities.

In 2022, he founded “DRIVE Incubation” with the goal of building a startup ecosystem in Hokkaido. Since 2023, he has served as the secretary-general for “STARTUP HOKKAIDO,” a public-private organization involving Hokkaido Prefecture, Sapporo City, and the Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

In 2024, he joined UntroD Capital Japan (formerly Real Tech Holdings), which manages the Real Tech Fund, as Hokkaido Area Manager.

Born in Kumamoto in 1990, he currently reside in Tsukuba. In the spring of 2011, following the Great East Japan Earthquake, he founded a community cafe, with other students. He took a leave of absence from university to participate in revitalizing shopping districts in cities such as Shimotsuma, Mito, and Yokohama. After traveling around the world, he moved to Kyoto. His first startup was providing support for the formulation of administrative plans. He formulated administrative plans such as comprehensive plans and community welfare plans for more than 60 municipalities nationwide. After returning to Tsukuba and resuming his studies as a university student, he founded Tsukuba Place Lab in December 2016, a place that supports all kinds of challenges. Over nine years, he has planned and managed more than 4,000 events, with over 40,000 users. In October 2018, he founded the co-working space “up Tsukuba” in front of Tsukuba Station. From April 2021 he started to operate Tsukuba Startup Park. Since April 2024, he has taken over the management of Seikouudoku, a micro-creation office in Hitachi City. His motto is “If you get lost, do everything,” and his belief is “If you keep going until you succeed, you will not fail.” In fiscal year 2019, he received the Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture Commendation for “New Ibaraki-building Award ” in the Industrial Promotion Field. He is a lecturer at Kumamoto Gakuen University and an advisor at XOSS POINT, an incubation center located in front of Kumamoto Station.

Joined current position in 2020 with experience as R&D engineer in a global medical device company, think-tank/consulting firm, star-ups and life insurance company. In charge of promoting open innovation of AZ Japan and leading community management of open innovation network i2.JP.
Initiates collaborative projects among partners including academia, public-private sectors and start-ups, with purpose to realize “patient-centricity”.

After working as an engineer in software development, she launched an in-house venture (web application development business) at Pasona Group, and then spun off a new business into a separate company.

She became the first female executive at a TECH company and also served as the head of the NEDO Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Startup Promotion Project.

She founded ExaIntelligence Inc. (now ExaWizards Inc.), an AI venture based in Kansai, and served as its COO, before founding LEO Inc. as her second company.

She also serves as the producer of “Nagono Campus,” the navigator of ZIP-FM’s “Startup [N],”
a professor at Musashino University’s Faculty of Entrepreneurship, a visiting associate professor at Nagoya University’s Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, an outside director of Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., and an outside director of Acompany Inc., among others.

Marc Penzel is a high-growth entrepreneur, GTM leader, and recognized expert in innovation ecosystem development. He has advised government leaders, Fortune 500 executives, and research organizations across all continents, helping shape innovation policies and drive growth. Marc’s expertise has earned him accolades such as the GEN Research Champion Award and appointments like Expert in Entrepreneurship, IT, and the Future of Economic Progress at the World Economic Forum, where he is also a regular guest writer. He is a sought-after speaker at global tech and policy conferences and has been recognized with the prestigious U.S. visa for individuals with extraordinary ability. Previously, Marc worked for Silicon Valley tech startups, as well as KPMG, PwC, and Bayer’s strategy consulting unit.

Born in Austria to a Japanese mother, he graduated from the University of Vienna with a degree in International Business Management. After working in import/export operations for Japanese products, he joined the Austrian Embassy – Commercial Section in Japan in 2011. For 8 years, as Head of Technology Affairs, he focused on market entry, strategic planning, and support for Austrian technology companies and startups. In 2019, he founded genten LLC.
Since 2024, he has served as the “GO AUSTRIA” Ambassador in Japan, supporting the overseas expansion of Japanese startups. He also serves as Community Manager of for Venture Café Tokyo at TECH HUB YOKOHAMA, a technology startup support facility of the City of Yokohama. Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, he serves as Program Manager for YOKOHAMA CONNÉCT, contributing to the support of Japanese startups and the development of the local startup ecosystem.
Leveraging her strong European network, she is actively working as a bridge between Japan and Austria.

Mariko Nishimura is a cross-border producer who operates at the intersection of technology, art, and business. Under the mission “To create a page in history that captures hearts,” she connects corporations, governments, creators, and international networks to generate new value.
After a career in engineering at IBM and marketing at Adobe, Mariko founded HEART CATCH Inc. in Japan (2014) and HEART CATCH LA Inc. in the US (2020). She spearheads numerous domestic and international projects, including TECH BEAT Shizuoka, Inter BEE, and J-Startup support. She is also widely recognized for her tech trend analysis and reporting at major global exhibitions such as CES and VivaTech.
She serves in multiple prestigious roles, including:
* Juror, CES Innovation Awards
* Visiting Professor, Musashino Art University
* Official Columnist, Forbes JAPAN
* Japan Representative, Art Thinking Improbable
* Fellow, Shizuoka Prefecture and Hamamatsu City
* Co-founder, AI Collective Japan (one of the world’s largest AI communities)

After working in alternative investments at The Norinchukin Bank, he moved to KPMG FAS to work in M&A advisory before joining the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ). At DBJ, he was responsible for bank ALM and alternative investments in overseas PE funds. In 2017, he became Director and Head of the Investment Department at DBJ Capital, where he led domestic startup investments. He subsequently served as a partner at Genesia Ventures before joining the University of Tokyo IPC as a partner in 2024. In addition to investing primarily in deep tech sectors such as the environment and space, he focuses on supporting the ecosystem for university-based startups.
He holds a degree from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tokyo and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

B.S. and M.S. in Astronomy from the University of Tokyo. After Mitsubishi Corporation, joined UTEC in 2014 and ANRI in 2016 as General Partner, leading company creation in frontier technologies including quantum computing and fusion. Founded BUILD in 2026 to launch an 18-year deep-tech fund focused on company creation in green energy, semiconductors, quantum, and ocean & aerospace technologies, supporting the commercialization of breakthrough research.

Masakazu Yagi, PhD is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Program Director of Japan Biodesign, Visiting Professor at the Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries, and Expert Supporter at Nakanoshima Qross. After earning his PhD in Electronic Engineering from the University of Tokyo, he conducted research in AI-based clinical decision support before completing the Stanford Biodesign Global Faculty Training Program. He now leads needs-driven innovation programs that connect academia, healthcare, industry, startups, and government, accelerating the translation of life science and deep-tech innovations into real-world impact.

After earning a Ph.D. in Fusion Engineering, he joined Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), where he worked on deeptech startup policy and entrepreneurship education policy. Following study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he joined the launch team of CIC Tokyo, one of Japan’s largest startup hubs. He later founded FoundersNation to support startup scale-up and global growth.

A native of Kobe, Masataka established PIM Corporation in 1999, leading the company as CEO until its merger with Yahoo! Japan. As president of Yahoo! Japan, Masataka oversaw strategic investments and the launch of the Yahoo! BB ISP. He also served as senior executive of Yahoo! Shopping.

Masataka was involved in Softbank’s acquisition of Vodaphone, served as the first director of mobile business development at Yahoo!, and led Softbank’s mobile products and consumer unit.

In 2008, as general manager of Yahoo!’s R&D division, he managed front-end development for Yahoo! services. From 2011 until he co-founded WiL, he led Yahoo!’s new business development as Chief Incubation Officer.

‐Master of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
‐Oncology clinical development at Boehringer Ingelheim
‐Venture investments mainly in the healthcare sector at the INCJ
-Established a corporate venture capital (CVC) at Ono Pharmaceutical
-Venture investments and supporting of a company creation in the healthcare sector at Samurai Incubate Inc.

Based in Osaka and the Kansai region, this speaker has spent nearly a decade supporting startups through the Osaka Business Development Agency and Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH). Specializing in the technology startup sector, the speaker has extensive experience in planning and managing pitch events and international conferences, building strategic partnerships, and fostering startup communities. Through collaboration with domestic and international partners, corporations, and organizations, the speaker is dedicated to creating opportunities that connect startups with key players across the innovation ecosystem.

Melissa Armas is Founder and Lead Strategist at AZ Collab and its cross-border arm, Global Innovation Collab (GIC), based in Phoenix, Arizona. She builds market entry and ecosystem activation programs for startups moving across borders, and works with government trade and investment promotion offices, innovation institutions, and the public programs that fund them.

Her Japan corridor spans Tokyo and Kumamoto, connecting founders and city partners between Japan and the United States. She has worked with a national trade and investment promotion agency to run market entry and matchmaking for its startup ecosystem at a major U.S. innovation event. Through U.S. Department of State exchange programs, she has delivered sessions in Seoul, Bangkok, Phuket, Almaty, Antalya, and Buenos Aires. Most recently, her activation work in the global startup ecosystem has reached Berlin, Latin America, and Central Asia.

Alongside market work, she builds AI adoption and governance frameworks that move emerging technology from plan to working practice. She serves as Cluster 4 Co-Lead in Working Group 6 of the UN’s U4SSC initiative, supported by the ITU, on the governance, trustworthiness, and resilience of digital technology itself, and sits on the Arizona Governor’s Generative AI Steering Committee. She is Ambassador and Global Programming Partner at Venture Café Phoenix, where she hosts the monthly Global Innovation Gathering.

Michiko Ashizawa is an Associate Professor at Keio Business School, Keio University, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Prior to joining academia, she worked at KPMG Century Audit Corporation, the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan (IRCJ), and Advantage Partners. She was also a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. Her research focuses on startup ecosystems, innovation policy, and open innovation, with a particular interest in how Japan can foster globally competitive hubs for entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Bridging academia, industry, and public policy, she is actively engaged in research, policymaking, and corporate governance. She is also committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) through both research and practice.

Michiko Kohyama began her career at The Walt Disney Company Japan as a member of the digital business leadership team. After launching multiple new digital services as a producer, she led the launch of Disney Mobile, overseeing business operations and managing a cross-functional team of more than 100 people.

In 2015, she joined Eight Roads Ventures Japan, the venture capital arm of one of the world’s leading asset managers, where she focused primarily on growth-stage investments, including Series B and C financings, as well as M&A transactions.

Since joining Genesia Ventures in May 2026, her work has centered on supporting founders while helping shape the firm’s initiatives in organizational development, talent, and impact investing.

Alongside her venture capital work, Kohyama is actively involved in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within Japan’s startup ecosystem. She co-founded the Startup DEI Council, working with industry leaders to promote policy recommendations and strengthen the ecosystem.

In 2020, she also co-founded Public Mind, an intermediary nonprofit organization supporting NPOs. As a board member, she continues to help strengthen the social sector. In May 2025, the organization became a certified nonprofit, further expanding its impact.

An exited entrepreneur, prolific angel investor in the UK and a key player in the spectacular growth of the UK tech ecosystem in two UK Government roles, first as Entrepreneur Success Director at Tech Nation where he led the rollout of a nationwide network of support for ambitious tech founders through flagship scaling and sector programs and more recently as a Dealmaker for the Department of Business and Trade helping overseas tech companies establish and grow in the UK.

With this experience, Mike joined Startup Genome leading the development and delivery of international expansion programs that help cities and countries around the world strengthen their scaleup ecosystems including for Tokyo Metropolitan Government where he was based in CIC Tokyo and gained in-depth knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for Japanese companies expanding internationally. In 2025 Mike was asked by CIC to lead the rapid expansion of the organization in the UK with Venture Café’s now establish in London, Cambridge, Manchester, Edinburgh and CIC’s planned for multiple locations in London.

Co-Founder, Robotics x Tokyo
Senior Robotics Operations Engineer, Woven by Toyota

Mike has been with the Toyota family since 2018, previously with TRI in Silicon Valley, before moving to Tokyo in 2021. Originally from NYC, he has been working with robots in various capacities for almost 30 years. A Mechanical Engineer by trade, he now works in Robotics Operations across various stages in the robot application toolchain. His other passions include video games, Japanese language, and Mahjong. Cheers! ✌🏼❤️🤖

Minako Hirata began her career at an economic think tank before joining the founding team behind Venture Café and CIC’s expansion into Asia, helping to launch and lead operations in Japan. She went on to serve as Sales Director and then General Manager at CIC Tokyo before assuming her current role, in which she oversees CIC’s three Japan campuses — Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka (O-Nexus). She also serves as a board member of Venture Café Tokyo. She holds a law degree from Waseda University and an MBA from UMass (University of Massachusetts).

I worked in industry–academia collaboration at Osaka University and joined the Strategic Global Partnership & Cross-Innovation Initiative at its launch. I am now Chief Coordinator of Nakanoshima Qross, leading projects, community management, and events that connect startups, companies, investors, government, and global partners to advance future medicine. I am also a CFP® professional.

After graduating from the School of Economics at Kwansei Gakuin University, he joined the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1997. Following the establishment of Japan Exchange Group (JPX) in 2013, he was responsible for the management of shareholders’ meetings and board of directors meetings in the Corporate Administration Department.

Career Highlights

March 1982: Graduated from the Faculty of Commerce, Keio University
April 1982: Joined Hankyu Corporation
June 2004: General Manager, Saito Development Department, Real Estate Business Headquarters, Hankyu Corporation
April 2006: General Manager, Real Estate Development Department, Real Estate Business Headquarters, Hankyu Corporation
April 2008: Director, Deputy Head of Real Estate Business Headquarters and General Manager of Real Estate Development Department, Hankyu Corporation
April 2011: Director, Responsible for Umekita North Yard and Saito Projects, Real Estate Business Headquarters, Hankyu Corporation
April 2011: Managing Director, Hankyu Realty Co., Ltd.
June 2011: Director, Responsible for Umekita and Saito Projects, Hankyu Corporation
April 2012: Senior Managing Director, Hankyu Realty Co., Ltd.
June 2016: President & Representative Director, Hankyu Realty Co., Ltd.
April 2018: Director, Head of Real Estate Division, Hankyu Corporation
April 2018: Representative Director & Executive Vice President, Head of Development Business Headquarters, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.
April 2020: President & Representative Director, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.
April 2024: Representative Director & Vice Chairman, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.
April 2025: Chairman of the Board, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.
April 2026 – Present: Senior Advisor, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.

Mr. G the Director of the ASEAN Startup Connect Programme and an AI and greentech startup founder, business coach for startups for the New Zealand Government, United Nations Development Programme in Cambodia and for the Social Tides programme for ai and impact startups across the EU.

His sustainable business approach has won him the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Green Business Awards and helped push the sustainable business agenda for organizations such as the United Nations and Oxfam to the Royal Government of Cambodia.

He has a strong belief that empathy, great design and tech-fluency are key life skills to both personal and professional success, and is currently on a mission to solve real world issues through empathy, entrepreneurship and principled leadership.

Najib ELKHASH
Journalist and TV reporter/producer.
Operating via Risala Media Productions in Tokyo.
Born in Syria in 1973, based in Japan since 1997 (currently a Japanese citizen).
B.A. in Psychology from the American University of Beirut (Lebanon).
Studied film production at the London Film Academy (UK) before coming to Japan to do graduate studies in film/cultural theory at the University of Tokyo and at Nagoya University.
Reporting from Japan for Arab and European television stations since 1998. Personally reporting for Dubai TV, France 24 TV, Saudi TV, Kuwait TV etc.
Reporting on various topics, with a special focus on Japanese economy, reconstruction projects in disaster-affected areas, and major international events such as the World Expo and the Olympics…etc.
Frequent coverage of the visits of Arab and European governmental delegations to Japan.
Active in the cultural field, especially in organizing and advising film festivals.

Nathan Plummer is the Co-Executive Director of Venture Café Global Institute (VCGI), a public-benefit organization headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, overseeing a network spanning 16 cities globally.

He played a role in the creation and development of the Macquarie Park Innovation District in Sydney, Australia, working with government, university, and corporate partners to strengthen the region’s innovation and entrepreneurship capacity. This included supporting the establishment of the Macquarie University Startup Incubator and its industry engagement programs.

Nathan is also a founding member of the Australian Boston Business Association.His career and education have taken him across four continents and continue to shape his belief in the importance of diverse, connected talent ecosystems in driving human progress.

Graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics, Department of Economics, Waseda University, and completed the Business Administration program (MOT / MBA) at the Graduate School of Commerce, Waseda University. After working at companies such as Daiwa Corporate Investment Co., Ltd. and WERU Investment Co., Ltd., he established NV Ventures Co., Ltd. in 2019 and assumed the position of President and CEO. For many years, he has focused on supporting research and development-oriented startups, primarily those originating from universities. He also serves as a technology management advisor for the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a specially appointed professor at the Shinshu University-Innovative Research and Liaison Organization, and a venture partner at ision Incubate Co., Ltd.

Graduated from Kyushu Institute of Technology Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering in 2004. Worked at a consulting firm, supporting companies in developing new businesses and products. Founded S-factory in 2009, providing support to companies, local governments, NPOs, and startups, while also serving as an advisor to government agencies. Provides support tailored to the specific challenges of each company, regardless of industry, business type, or stage of development. Also serves as Vice Representative Director of TX Entrepreneur Partners, NEDO Supervisor, and Visiting Professor at the International Industry-Academia Collaboration Headquarters of the University of Tsukuba.

Kazutaka Oyobe joined NTT West in 2007.
In 2012, he moved to the company’s New Business Development Division, where he was responsible for business strategy, product development, and service innovation.
Since then, he has served as a representative director and advisor for five organizations, leveraging the knowledge, experience, and networks he has built through his activities outside the company. He also played a key role in building the co-creation ecosystem at QUINTBRIDGE, NTT West’s open innovation hub established in March 2022.
In 2024, he joined the General Affairs & Human Resources Department, where he designed and implemented initiatives to recognize and celebrate employees’ cross-boundary activities. These efforts were recognized with the HR Award 2026 and the Excellence Award in the Human Resource Development Category at the 15th Japan HR Challenge Awards.
Since 2026, he has been working at the Regional Co-Creation Design Institute, where he focuses on creating mechanisms that foster co-creation for regional economic development and developing talent capable of generating new value for local communities.

Current Positions
・Advisor to the Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan
・CEO, Parallel Partners Co., Ltd.
・Evangelist / Lecturer, Osaka University Foresight Co., Ltd.
・Social Contribution Entertainer

Patrick Eggen is Co-Founder and General Partner of Counterpart Ventures. Previously, he was Managing Director of Qualcomm Ventures North America, where he led approximately $500M in AUM and over 80 investments across stages and sectors. He also founded Qualcomm Ventures’ Global Early Stage Fund, which grew to $100M+ AUM and 70+ investments, including Zoom, Cruise Automation, and 99. With 13+ years of venture investment experience, Patrick has been personally involved in 100+ transactions and 30+ exits. He has served as a Board Member or Observer for companies including Zoom, Matterport, Clarifai, and Swift Navigation, and was closely involved in investments in Ring and Waze.

Phillip is serving as the Managing Partner of Plug and Play APAC and CEO of Plug and Play Japan. With a career spanning over a decade in the innovation space, Phillip has been instrumental in driving Plug and Play’s expansion and impact across the East Asia region.

Phillip’s journey with Plug and Play began in Silicon Valley in 2014, where he spearheaded the IoT and Mobility divisions before establishing Plug and Play Japan in 2017. Under his leadership, Plug and Play Japan has evolved into the premier innovation platform in Japan, connecting startups and corporations globally through hubs in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Kobe and Nagoya.

In his current role as co-head of the Asia Pacific region, Phillip leads strategic initiatives and management across all locations, with a particular focus on Japan and Korea.

Ryoko is a managing director (MD) of Alchemist Japan and based in Tokyo. Before Alchemist, she worked as MD at Endeavor Japan. Endeavor is a global non-profit organization that helps build startup ecosystems all over the world. She started her career as a strategy consultant but also built experience that covers a wide range: from startup co-founder to a manager of the big corporations and from consumer goods to tech companies. Currently, she also serves as a committee member of JST START program where she evaluates and selects R&D based tech pre-seed startups.
BS in Engineering, BS in Agriculture and Life Science (Dual degree) at Cornell University

Ryosuke Shibato completed the coursework for the doctoral program at Tokyo Metropolitan University before leaving academia to pursue a broader vision for research. During graduate school, he became aware of the closed nature of many research environments and organized interdisciplinary gatherings for graduate students. Through these experiences, he realized that research can inspire people regardless of their academic background.

In April 2014, he founded academist, Japan’s first crowdfunding platform dedicated to academic research, enabling researchers to share their research visions and secure funding from the public. Guided by the vision of building an open academic community and contributing to a better future through research, he leads initiatives that connect researchers with individuals and businesses, creating new opportunities for collaboration and societal impact.

I joined Tokyu Corporation in 2001 and oversaw finance operations. In 2010, I was seconded to Tokyu Department Store Co., Ltd., where I also handled finance operations. I returned to Tokyu Corporation in 2014 and served as project manager for Shibuya Scramble Square at the Shibuya Development Division of the Urban Development Business Headquarters, overseeing planning and development. In 2018, I was seconded to Shibuya Scramble Square Corporation, where I continue to oversee the current project. At SHIBUYA QWS, I aim to create new social value by focusing on “questions” raised by a diverse community of corporations, local governments, universities, startups, and others.

Mas is a partner at Benhamou Global Ventures, a cross-border venture capital firm in the heart of Silicon Valley, California.

He is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in international business development, strategic planning, venture capital investment, new business incubation, and cross-border operations. Mas has had a long-standing association with NEC Corporation, where he served in various leadership roles. Among others, he also served on the board of Vidient Systems, Inc. and Niteo Partners, and during this time at NEC, Mas was involved in The Open Group and The Enterprise Network, both non-profit organizations.

Mas’ extensive experience includes key advisory roles and affiliations with Bay Angels, Plug & Play and Alchemist Accelerator in collaboration with the J-Startup program. Mas is also an angel investor, with startup companies that include Bedrock Robotics, Glydways, LUUM, Fort Robotics, Invia Robotics, Marble Robot, Copado, Mission Barns, SKUChain, Genia, Ekso Bionics, and others.

Mas currently serves as advisor to several Japanese companies and has been a frequent guest lecturer at Kyoto University, Aoyama Gakuin University, UC
Berkeley, and NYU. Mas also served on the board and Secretary of Harvard
Business School Association of Northern California.

Mas has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics from Keio University in Japan and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mas is an avid tennis player, and after 24 years in Silicon Valley, he currently resides in Southern California covering the region for new startups.

After graduating from Ferris University, I have built my career in sales and public relations at Recruit, Sumitomo Realty & Development, Kaizen Platform, Metaps, and Timebank. In 2019, I joined for Startups, Inc., and since September 2025, I have been serving as Executive Officer, Open Innovation Division. I lead communication design and talent branding to connect startups, corporations, and governments.
Visiting Professor at iU (Information Management Innovation Professional University) / Mentor for Tokyo Startup Support / Radio Host at CIC LIVE / Vice President of Communication at Fukuoka Growth Next.

Shafaq Abdullah is a Pakistani-American, an Investor & Entrepreneur, leading AI Earth Fund with focus on Sustainability. Over the last decade, he had a fascinating journey of portfolio construction in tech & real estate following a Recursive Growth Strategy & the principle of sum of parts should be greater than whole. His first AI Data startup got acquired by a top consumer household name, scaling to $300M in revenue. Thereafter, collaborated with the local city – creating a public-private partnership by launching Parkonomik- opening up under-utilized parking with AI-parking congestion index acting as a growth flywheel. During COVID, it expanded to last-mile delivery, connecting restaurants with warehouses to create an optimized delivery graph-improving delivery efficiencies and margins. Shoponomik received funding, mentorship in the form of LaunchPad Seed Fund, to upskill students in underserved communities. With a strong thesis of Problem-Solution-Differential, launch of AI Earth Fund that focuses on investments in Data Centers, AI Infrastructure, renewable energy & sustainable tech. The Fund holds values of accountability, transparency, community-driven & excellence dear and upholds the mission scaling Profits and Planet- creating equitable risk models, propelling just energy transition x AI, positive socio-economics effects and equal opportunity for everyone.
He was born in Lahore, Pakistan, graduated from UET, Lahore in Computer Engg after spending some part of his childhood in the Middle East. Through high school, he obtained top five positions in the district. He did his Masters in IT from Tampere University of Technology, Finland in Machine Learning. Started career at Nokia R&D, launching a new Linux-based Multimedia tablet.
He is a Silicon Valley veteran with successful venture exit and patents. Shafaq loves spending time with wife & four kids, hiking, running along the beach, and is also an avid tennis player.

Joined Mori Building Co., Ltd. in 2000. Held roles in the Finance Department, Urban Development Division, and Office Business Division before assuming the current position in 2026.Oversees the planning, development, and operation of new business initiatives that span a wide range of urban functions. Focuses on creating new spaces and experiences that enhance the value of the city, while also promoting the evolution of both business and urban life through collaboration with startups and organizations offering innovative technologies and services.
Currently serves as Representative Director of the Smart Building Co-Creation Organization and Board Member of the Tokyo Consortium.

Specializing in ecosystem architecture and business transformation, with 20+ years of experience, Shino is a Global Partner at CIC, leading the Catalyst APAC team. As Head of Google for Startups Japan, she mentored 150+ AI startups; as the founder of Impact Hub Tokyo, she built a 1,000+ entrepreneur community and mentored 100+ founders. Her cross-sector expertise spans ESG business development at the Japan Research Institute and launching the Japan office of Oxfam International. She holds an MA from the University of Tokyo and a Diploma in Global Business from the University of Oxford.

After working at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), etc., he became Director General of Fukuoka Directive Council (FDC) in April 2015.
He has served as the chairman of the Avispa Fukuoka Advisory Board (Management Advisory Committee), a visiting professor at the Kyushu University Center for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Education and Research (CSTIPS), a director of the Kyushu University School of Regional Policy Design, a director of the Future Center Alliance Japan (FCAJ), and Chief the Regulatory Reform Promotion Department of the Kyushu Economic Federation. He also holds many public positions such as committee members of central ministries and local governments.
He is the author of books such as “The Secret of the Super-Growth City of Fukuoka: The Mechanism of Innovation Attracting the World’s Attention (Nihon Keizai Shimbun Publishing)” and “Let’s Go on a Journey to Change Society: A New Future Created by Regional Policy Design (Azusa Shoin)”.
In October 2021, he was named one of the “The World’s 50 Most Influential People Navigating Disruption” by the World Economic Forum and the International Public-Private Network as one of the Agile 50 (leaders driving innovation in the public sector and transforming governance from the world).

At Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), Umezawa has led the launch and growth of CIC Tokyo, CIC Fukuoka, and O-Nexus in Osaka. Collectively, these three startup centers host more than 600 companies and serve as major innovation hubs across life sciences, climate tech, and other emerging sectors.

Umezawa is a member of the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters of the Cabinet Office. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He also serves as a non-executive director on the board of forStartups, Inc.

Based in Singapore since 2019, Ito Takahiko has been building bridges between Japan’s innovation ecosystem and the world. He joined One&Co — a coworking space launched by East Japan Railway Company as a new business venture — from the planning stage, leading strategy, concept development, and business design for its Singapore and Taiwan locations. Serving as General Manager for over seven years, he has engaged with more than 5,000 business professionals, cultivating a platform for co-creation that connects Japan and Singapore.
He has since founded N9 PTE LTD, a Singapore-incorporated innovation design firm supporting Japanese corporates and local governments in their overseas expansion and co-creation program design. He also serves as a Global Advisor to the City of Osaka, the City of Kyoto, and the Kansai Economic Federation, and as a Visiting Lecturer at Ritsumeikan University, contributing to industrial collaboration between the Kansai region and Southeast Asia.
Deeply aligned with GSE’s conviction that technology and ideas only create value when implemented in society, he brings to the role a career built on designing trusted connections across cultures, sectors, and markets. As a self-described “Nodemaker,” he looks forward to contributing to GSE’s ecosystem as a platform that brings deep tech from concept to real-world impact on a global scale.

Head of Venture Capital and Business Development, Google Cloud, Google.
・Spearhead strategic initiatives in AI for Science and Physical AI powered by Gemini, partnering with enterprise VCs and CVCs with Google Cloud.
・Drive go-to-market strategies for AI startups, collaborating with GV (Google Ventures) and Global Investors.
・Launched the Alphabet AI Futures Fund in Japan in 2026.
・Ambassador for the Nobel Prize Committee Community in Stockholm.

Tatsuya joined GLOBIS Capital Partners in 2020, leading investments in infrastructure and resilience domains such as semiconductors and energy. His portfolio includes Ookuma Diamond Device (next-generation semiconductor devices), ZettaJoule (advanced nuclear reactors), Holoway (semiconductor inspection equipment), SUN METALON (metal recycling), iFactory, Booost and Rentio. He has recently expanded his focus to economic security themes including energy and resource security, defence and dual-use technologies, and advanced materials, and serves as an outside director at portfolio companies. He began his career at AGC in 2009 in international sales of electronic materials, including a posting in China, and joined Boston Consulting Group in 2017. He holds a B.A. in Commerce from Hitotsubashi University.

Tim Rowe is the founder and Executive Chairman of CIC, a global leader in building and operating innovation campuses globally, focused on supporting the growth of startups and entrepreneurs. Since 1999, he has grown CIC from a single 2,700 SF location in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts to a global company that manages nearly 2 million square feet of shared workspace, wet labs, and event space. Among the notable organizations that spent their early days at CIC are Android and HubSpot. Rowe currently serves as the chair of Venture Café Global Institute, and was the founding chair of LabCentral, MassRobotics, and the first president of the Kendall Square Association.

Rowe holds an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and a BA from Amherst College. He speaks fluent English, Spanish, Japanese, and basic Mandarin Chinese.

Todd Porter is a builder and investor based in Tokyo. For more than 25 years he has built environments, communities and movements where builders meet and end up working together.

He was a co-founder of TEDxTokyo and served as a founding TEDx Ambassador as the format spread worldwide. He also helped start FabCafe Global and IMPACT Foundation Japan, and was a founding board member of Venture Café Tokyo at the Cambridge Innovation Center, where he continues to serve. He invests in and develops deep tech that improves the way the world builds. Among his investments is InventWood, whose SUPERWOOD replaces steel, concrete and aluminum in structural use with enhanced performance, while storing carbon instead of emitting it.

He is particularly interested in what it takes for breakthroughs to survive the years between idea and scalable growth, and in the environments and cultures where that happens. He co-founded EDGEof, an eight-story home in Shibuya where local and global builders cross-fertilize, and is now co-developing a multi-location successor that inverts the usual arrangement — the larger sites anchored outside of major cities as living labs for regenerative local economies, with city and region reconnected as peer nodes.

Earlier in his career he worked at Bain & Company, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, and Public Allies. MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business; Edmund Hillary Fellow.

Tomoko joined JAFCO in 2005 and has spent 20 years investing in startups. Focusing on seed and early stages, she has led investments in companies tackling hard problems through technology, across space, energy and decarbonization, healthcare, and robotics, and has worked closely with management teams to build their businesses. Ten of her portfolio companies have gone public, including Astroscale Holdings. In December 2025, she co-founded Hitotsubashi Innovation Capital (Hit-Cap), an independent VC certified by Hitotsubashi University that backs founders taking on hard problems at the seed and early stages, across all sectors. She serves as a member of the Working Group of Experts for the Realization of GX (Green Transformation) under the Cabinet Secretariat’s GX Implementation Council. B.A. in Economics, Hitotsubashi University.

Representative Director, President & CEO, DOZAN PARTNERS Inc.
Member, J-Startup KANSAI Recommendation & Evaluation Committee

Began a career in logistics consulting and financial services before leading business development initiatives at GMO Internet Group.
Joined for Startups, Inc. as a founding member, contributing to the company’s IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market (now the Growth Market) within approximately three and a half years.
Established the Public Affairs Strategy Office following the IPO, leading collaborations among government agencies, local municipalities, universities, major corporations, and financial institutions. Spearheaded policy initiatives and startup ecosystem development projects aimed at strengthening Japan’s innovation capacity and industrial competitiveness.
Co-founded DOZAN PARTNERS Inc. in July 2025 and currently serves as Representative Director, President & CEO.
Entrepreneur focused on building innovation ecosystems that connect government, industry, academia, finance, and startups to strengthen Japan’s future competitiveness.

◾️Previous Appointments
・ Comprehensive Advisory Board Member, SHIFT(x) Program, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
・Commercialization Advisor, Ritsumeikan Educational Corporation
・Executive Advisor, Osaka Startup Ecosystem, Osaka Business Development Agency
・Committee Member, Startup Collaboration Committee, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry
・Healthcare Commercialization Advisor, Tokushima Prefecture

Tsuyoshi Ito founded Beyond Next Ventures in 2014 with a vision to circulate financial returns back into academia. Beyond funding, he is committed to building an ecosystem that fosters deep-tech startups.
He serves as an outside director for portfolio companies, a Visiting Professor at Nagoya and Hiroshima Universities, and a committee member for government startup initiatives. Previously, he joined JAFCO in 2003, leading investments in university spin-offs.
He holds a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Victor serves as Chief Innovation Officer and President of CIC Catalyst, the company’s innovation consulting and programming division that catalyzes innovation ecosystems and supports entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, governments, investors, and partner institutions worldwide. With over 20 years of experience across global innovation, technology, and startup ecosystems, Victor has advised governments on innovation policy and led transformative World Bank initiatives, including the Disruptive Technology for Development Program, the Internal Innovation Acceleration Program, and the Tokyo Development Learning Center. He currently serves on advisory committees for Japan’s Cabinet Office and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Vishnu Nagaraj
Co-Founder & CEO | Carve Startup Labs & CarveX
Global Startup Ecosystem Builder | International Market Access Strategist | Cross-Border Innovation Leader | Startup Advisor | Speaker | Investor Relations

Vishnu Nagaraj is an entrepreneur and global startup ecosystem leader dedicated to connecting founders, governments, investors, and innovation organizations across international markets.

As the Co-Founder & CEO of Carve Startup Labs, he leads one of the leading startup internationalization firms, enabling startups to expand into Europe, the Middle East, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, and North America through government partnerships, market access programs, soft-landing initiatives, and strategic ecosystem collaborations. Through Carve Startup Labs, he has facilitated 1000+ cross-border startup engagements while working with governments, trade agencies, accelerators, corporates, investors, and innovation hubs across 40+ countries.

He is also the Co-Founder of CarveX, a global platform designed to simplify international expansion by connecting startups with worldwide opportunities, ecosystem insights, funding networks, market-entry programs, and strategic partners.

Current Leadership Roles
– Co-Founder & CEO – Carve Startup Labs
– Co-Founder – CarveX
– South Asia & Middle East Ambassador – Deep Tech Tokyo Launchpad
– Global Startup Advisor & International Market Access Consultant
– International Speaker, Moderator & Startup Judge
– Mentor for government, university, and accelerator programs across multiple countries.

International Engagements
Vishnu has represented at leading international innovation platforms and has worked closely with governments, innovation agencies, startup ecosystems, investors, and corporates worldwide.

Highlights include:

– South Asia & Middle East Ambassador – Deep Tech Tokyo Launchpad
– Executive Member – GIIC
– Speaker – AsiaBerlin Summit, Germany
– Speaker – Salz21, Austria
– Judge – SLINGSHOT @ SWITCH, Enterprise Singapore
– Australia–India Startup & Youth Ambassador – Australia India Business Council
– International Mentor – TakeOff Startup Summit, Türkiye
– International Mentor – NxGenStartups Australia
– International Mentor – BIAT, Italy
– Delegate – Advantage Austria Startup Delegation
– NASSCOM InnoTrek Delegate – Silicon Valley, USA
– India–China Youth Entrepreneurship Delegation Member.

Government & Ecosystem Collaborations
Over the years, Vishnu has collaborated with government agencies, innovation missions, and trade organizations to build global bridges for startups.

Areas of Expertise
– Global Market Access
– Cross-Border Innovation
– Startup Internationalization
– Government Innovation Partnerships
– International Delegations
– Deep Tech Ecosystem Development
– Startup Strategy & Growth
– Innovation Diplomacy
– Corporate Innovation
– Global Expansion Programs
– Investor & Ecosystem Engagement

Recognition
– Two-time TEDx Speaker
– International Keynote Speaker
– Global Startup Judge & Mentor
– Government of Kerala Innovation Grant Recipient
– NASSCOM InnoTrek Delegate (USA)
Recognized for building international innovation bridges connecting startups with global markets.

I graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Osaka in 1989, and completed Master of Engineering in 1991. Subsequently, I joined Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Corporation), where I was engaged in research and development as well as standardization activities for Blu-ray Discs. In 1999, I received Doctor of Engineering from The University of Osaka. I was appointed as a Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University in 2006. Starting in 2010, I served as an Industrial Strategy Officer in the Fine Ceramics, Nanotechnology, and Materials Strategy Office at the Manufacturing Industries Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), focusing on technological strategy formulation and industrial policy. I returned to The University of Osaka in 2014, and has been dedicated to industry-academia collaboration, with a particular focus on startup support. Since 2020, within the Innovation Strategy Division which comprises the Venture and Business Development Support Office, the Intellectual Property Office, and the Human Resource Development Office, I have been driving activities related to discovering research seeds, supporting startup creation, and nurturing innovative talent for startups. I have contributed to national science and technology policies, including industry-academia collaboration and startup creation across a wide range of fields.

Yohei Kumagai is the founder and CEO of tayo Inc., a Japan-based company specializing in researcher recruitment and expert matching. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo in 2018, where he conducted research in marine microbiology and bioinformatics at the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute. He subsequently worked as a machine learning engineer at FreakOut Inc. and conducted research on deep-sea microorganisms at JAMSTEC. Drawing on his experience across science, AI, and entrepreneurship, he founded tayo in 2019. Today, tayo connects companies and research organizations with a nationwide network of more than 4,000 researchers, facilitating expert collaboration, R&D recruitment, and new career opportunities for scientists.

Joined Sanyo Electric in 2003. In 2013, transferred to Xacti Corporation, a spin-out from Sanyo Electric’s digital camera division. Worked across a broad range of functions, from product-development engineer to corporate planning and new business development. In new business development in particular, was based in Silicon Valley as a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. After returning to Japan, joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2016, serving as Head of Investment and engaging in venture investing and fund management. Holds a graduate degree from the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University.

After graduating from university, Yoshinobu Ichimura spent more than 10 years in the electronics and semiconductor industries, working across sales, marketing, supply chain management, corporate planning, and business management, including business turnaround initiatives. In 2014, he founded Prometheus Inc. and has since supported the commercialization of deep-tech research from universities and national research institutions, while also mentoring startups through programs run by organizations including NEDO.

He also serves as General Manager of HAX Tokyo at SOSV, where he supports the sourcing and growth of Japanese deep-tech startups and their global expansion, as well as collaboration between SOSV portfolio companies and Japanese corporations and engagement with companies and investors in Japan.

Connecting technology, policy, and capital to accelerate the creation of new industries.
My career has focused on investing in and scaling businesses across the energy and deep-tech sectors. After earning a Master of Engineering from Kyoto University, I joined The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., where I worked in nuclear power operations before taking on leadership roles in corporate strategy, energy policy, emissions trading, new business development, and venture investing.
I later served as a Visiting Fellow at Stanford University researching entrepreneurship education and worked at a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, gaining practical experience in startup investment and commercialization.
Today, I am Chief Investment Officer of Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality (JICN), a government-backed investment institution under Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. I lead investments in decarbonization and deep-tech ventures and have contributed to multiple IPOs.
I also serve on government programs supporting frontier technologies, including Japan’s Space Strategy Fund and MEXT’s SBIR initiatives, and mentor startups through the Japan Patent Office’s IP Acceleration Program for Startups (IPAS).
My work centers on identifying promising technologies, supporting their commercialization, and strengthening the innovation ecosystem by connecting technology, policy, capital, industry, government, and academia. Through investment and ecosystem development, my mission is to help transform breakthrough technologies into globally competitive industries.

After launching the career change service “Doda” at Intelligence, Ltd. (currently Persol Career Co., Ltd.), in 2016 he established NET jinzai bank, Inc. (currently for Startups, Inc.) to engage in support services for growth industries, and became its president and CEO. Also in 2016, in the Japan Headhunter Awards, he was named Japan’s first Hall of Fame headhunter. He has served since 2019 on the venture ecosystem committee of the Japan Venture Capital Association, and in 2020, he was appointed to a task force on startup policy under Keidanren’s Sub-committee on Startups. Vice-chairman of Global Startups Ecosystem Committee.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Tsukuba. Obtained Executive MBA (US) and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). Her research focuses on venture capital, women’s entrepreneurship, cross-border investment, and innovation ecosystems in the current digital era.

With more than 25 years of international experience across fintech, emerging technology, and Islamic finance, she is active as a tech entrepreneur, strategic advisor, researcher, and angel investor. As a Japanese professional committed to serving as a bridge between Japan and global markets, she connects entrepreneurs, investors, government institutions, and other stakeholders across APAC, MENA and beyond to support cross-border investment, business collaboration, and ecosystem development.
As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of RINNE Technologies & Consulting, she leads business and digital strategy for emerging tech including blockchain-enabled solutions, startup advisory, market-entry support, and partnerships with regional and global stakeholders.

Additionally as APAC Director of the international NPO Women in Tech® Global Movement, she advances its mission to empower five million girls and women in STEM/STEAM by 2030. Through support for women founders and gender-lens investing, she works to close the gender funding gap and foster inclusive innovation among others.

She is the recipient of the Leadership Commitment Award/Malaysia under the UN Women’s WEPs Awards (Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards). She has also been recognized among the Top 50 Global Inspirational Women and as a double-category winner of the Women Changing the World Awards among others. As a member of the Digital Sub-Committee of the Malaysia Australia Business Council (MABC), she contributes to advancing the bilateral digital economy, digital transformation, and innovation.

For many years, has worked in startup support in Fukuoka. Involved in running “Fukuoka Growth Next,” a public-private startup support facility, and led overseas training programs for entrepreneurs. Also coordinated international expansion support and participation in overseas startup events, mainly in Europe and the US. In current role since June 2024, working as an ecosystem builder to create spaces where entrepreneurs can take on new challenges.

Dr. Yuumi Atobe is an expert in entrepreneurship education and deep-tech startup creation, currently driving innovation initiatives and the development of the university’s innovation hub at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) since 2022. She has also been a key member of Venture Café Tokyo since 2020.

With a professional background as a first-class registered architect (Japan), she began her career in architectural design and urban planning. She transitioned into the startup ecosystem, working with Nagoya University, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. In these roles, she specialized in industrial technology outreach and deep-tech commercialization, successfully guiding numerous research-backed seeds to market in fields such as robotics, electronics, biomaterials for regenerative medicine, and neuroscience.

Additionally, she has served as a member of the Ibaraki Prefectural Comprehensive Planning Council since 2023. She holds a Ph.D. in Engineering, having studied architectural design at the University of Tsukuba and urban history at Toyohashi University of Technology.

Zara Crichton transforms potential ideas into tangible, valuable, and globally investable assets. For over two decades, she has worked across the innovation ecosystem, building the networks, structuring organisations, and securing investment for bold ideas to succeed on the world stage.

As the founder of Fundalicious, her work has three key focuses. She puts this expertise into practice as the current Festival Director for the Hunter Innovation Festival, a major regional event celebrating technology and creativity. Her core services include:

Venture Architecture: Designing ventures with robust strategic, commercial, and governance frameworks to attract investment and scale.

Organisational Impact: Leading complex turnarounds for established organisations and non-profits to improve agility and long-term sustainability.

Ecosystem Development: Advising governments and universities on the strategic design of thriving innovation ecosystems.

Her approach is shaped by significant leadership experience, culminating in her role as President of the Boston-based Venture Café Global Institute, where she led strategy across a network of 16 international locations. This global position was preceded by deep, hands-on ecosystem development in Sydney, where she served concurrently as the founding Executive Director of Venture Café Sydney and an Executive Director at Macquarie University.

Previously, as General Manager of the Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District, she unified the area’s key stakeholders to amplify its credentials as a global innovation hub. Her work is also grounded in world-class governance, with experience as a paid director on over eight international innovation boards and as a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

This expertise in building innovation ecosystems is backed by a substantial corporate career. For over eight years at Macquarie Group, she progressed through a series of senior marketing roles, leading strategy for key wealth management and financial services products. Prior to this, she gained valuable operational experience as an Assistant Operations Manager at Consolidated Press Holdings, managing investor relations for a high profile shareholder.

Zara’s unique perspective is also informed by an early career in the creative industries. As a Digital Effects Producer in London and Sydney, she delivered complex projects for major film and advertising clients. This foundation in technology, creativity, and global project delivery underpins her innovative approach today.