The Venture Café Global Gathering this year brings together innovators from ecosystems around the world to discover the Tokyo ecosystem, forge powerful connections, and showcase groundbreaking ideas. Expert speakers, selected pitch participants, partners and individuals from each Venture Café, spanning 15 cities worldwide, will converge in Tokyo on February 19th, 2026 to build an innovation community on a global scale. Venture Café teams will be applying years of first-hand experience as Innovation Ecosystem Activators locally, to maximize the impact of ecosystems converging globally. Our unique method of building strong communities is proven to generate new business opportunities and sustained collaboration.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
The Collider – Our Weekly Ritual, Globally Amplified
If you’ve been to a Thursday Gathering, you know the vibe. Now, imagine that energy, that talent, and those connections amplified across 80+ countries and three venues. This is the Global Gathering 2026, and Hall B is the “Collider” where it all happens.
We live by a simple truth: “Isolation is the Enemy of Innovation – Collaboration is its Greatest Ally.” We’ve stripped away the corporate barriers to create the ultimate marketplace of ideas:
- The Global Town Square: Last year, we hosted innovators from 80 different countries. This year, we’re pushing that boundary even further.
- Demo & Community Tables: This isn’t just “networking”; it’s hands-on. Meet the builders at our demo tables and connect with community leaders who are actually moving the needle. Come meet:
- Business in Japan
- Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)
- Design Thinking Japan
- Founder Institute Japan
- Harrietts
- Osaka Startup Ecosytem
- Pitch2Tokyo Participants
- Pulsar Innovations
- Social Innovation Japan
- Socious
- Startup Lady
- Takeoff Tokyo
- Tokyo Global Innovation Challenge
- Venture Café Global Institute
- XPRIZE
- …and more
- Founders, VCs, & Talent: Whether you’re one of our 18 #Pitch2Tokyo finalists or a founder looking for an adventurous VC or fresh tech talent, this is the room where “Glocal” happens.
From 13:30 to 21:00, Hall B is the Thursday Gathering you love, just on a massive, global scale.
Session Speaker(s):
- The Community (You!)
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: VCGI
Language: English
Session Description:
Don’t miss the spark that starts it all! Venture Café Global GM Nathan Plummer & Kristen Plymale of Global Expansion takes the stage for a rapid-fire, 5-minute welcome that will set your pulse racing for the day ahead. He’s distilling the power of our worldwide innovation network into one powerful message on Collective Impact. Be there at the start to hear how this Gathering is designed to be the ultimate launchpad for your next big partnership.
Session Speaker(s):
- Nathan Plummer, General Manager – Venture Café Global Institute (VCGI)
- Kristen Plymale, Global Growth Director – Venture Café Global Institute (VCGI)
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Plug and Play Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
By sharing the potential of Japan’s startup ecosystem from an international perspective and integrating investment and innovation insights, this session aims to advance cross-border open innovation and generate new collaborative opportunities to address market challenges, including the implementation of emerging and sustainable technologies.
There will be 3 Different Topics:
- Inside Japan’s Startup Ecosystem: What Makes it Different ? What Makes it Global ?
- Phillip Vincent | Managing Partner, APAC CEO, Plug and Play Japan
- Why Japan? Why Now? : The Rise of Japan as a Destination for Investment
- Jingqian Ma | Partner, Head of Ventures, Plug and Play Japan
- Showcasing Open Innovation: Breaking Down Barriers to ESG Implementation – Innovative Approaches for Breakthroughs
- Yukihiko Ito | Founder & CEO, GOYOH
- Keiichiro Yano | Co-Founder & CEO, Carbontribe
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: VCGI
Language: English
Session Description:
What does it mean to be a glocal leader? Featuring Global Shapers Community from World Economic Forum
We live in a rapidly changing world one where complex challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty are deeply interconnected across borders, yet felt most acutely at the local level. Addressing these challenges requires a new kind of leadership: individuals who can think globally, act locally, and bridge communities across cultures and geographies. These leaders are often called “glocal leaders.” But what does it really mean to be one?
In this panel discussion, members of the Global Shapers Community, a global youth leadership network of the World Economic Forum spanning over 155 countries and 500 hubs worldwide, come together to explore the meaning and significance of glocal leadership in today’s world and especially as we look toward the 2030 era.
Drawing from their experiences tackling local challenges in Japan while staying connected to a global network, the panelists will share:
- How global perspectives and networks can strengthen local problem-solving
- Essential factors to being a glocal leader
- How YOU can take your first step toward becoming a glocal leader
This session is designed especially for emerging changemakers who are curious about global leadership, community impact, and how international networks can empower local action. Through real stories, interactive discussion, and audience engagement, participants will gain both inspiration and practical insights into how they can grow as leaders and bring global learnings back to their own communities.
Join us to rethink leadership not as something distant or abstract, but as a mindset and practice that starts right where you are.
Session Speaker(s):
- Bing Chomprasob – Chief Representative Officer, Japan at the World Economic Forum
- Midori Usa – Global Shapers Community, Yokohama Hub, Shaper
- Natsuhiko Yamada – Pediatrician and AI Researcher at National Center for Child Health and Development, Master of Public Health Student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Shaper and Project Lead at Global Shapers Community, Tokyo Hub 2
- Amelia Kinooka – Global Shapers Community, Yokohama Hub, Shaper
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
Unlocking the Gathering: How to Make the Most of Today 🚀 New to Venture Café? Or just overwhelmed by the massive lineup today? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Join us for this high-energy interactive session where we reveal the “secret sauce” of our global community. We’ll show you how to navigate our three venues like a pro, who you need to meet, and how to turn a simple “hello” into a global partnership. It’s the ultimate crash course in enjoying the Global Gathering come see why this is the heartbeat of Tokyo’s innovation scene and how the theme of “Collective Impact” can carry you on your way.
Session Speaker(s):
- Ryusuke Komura, Executive Director at Venture Café Tokyo
- Tatsuo Ogura, Co-Project Manager at Global Gathering 2026
- Takuo Urushihara, Program Manager at Venture Café Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
Located within CIC Tokyo, this specialized networking environment is designed for high-stakes connectivity between the world’s leading tech organizations and premier bilingual talent. While maintaining the high energy of our global network, the Tech & Talent Commons prioritizes meaningful, outcome-driven interactions. Following our Reverse Pitch sessions, where companies articulate their identity and contribution to Collective Impact, this space provides the professional infrastructure for in-depth technical dialogue and strategic hiring. By bridging the gap between corporate vision and technical execution, we ensure that both organizations and talent find the alignment necessary for long-term success in the Japanese and global markets.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Language: English & Japanese
Session Description:
Opening Address – Tokyo’s Vision for a Global Innovation Hub We are honored to welcome a representative from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) to provide an opening address. As a cornerstone partner of the Global Gathering 2026, TMG will share insights into Tokyo’s strategic initiatives to foster a “Global Innovation City.” This session will highlight the government’s commitment to supporting international founders and creating a seamless “soft-landing” environment for high-impact startups entering the Japanese market.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Language: English
Session Description:
Designing the Innovation Stack for Global Impact
In an era where innovation knows no borders, the most transformative breakthroughs emerge when bold ideas are supported by well-designed innovation ecosystems that connect people, resources, and opportunity at the right moments. Join Tim Rowe, Founder of CIC & Venture Café, alongside Muji Ahmedi of ARIA and Joanna Gruau of Station F, for a forward-looking conversation on how to intentionally design environments that move innovation from ambition to impact.
Tim will draw on Venture Café and CIC’s global experience activating open, inclusive innovation communities that lower barriers, spark serendipity, and accelerate collaboration across sectors. Muji will share insights from ARIA, the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency, where small, empowered teams and carefully curated networks of researchers, operators, and partners are designed to tackle high-risk, high-reward challenges that traditional systems struggle to address. Joanna will bring lessons from Station F, Europe's largest startup campus, on how density, program design, and international partnerships help founders rapidly test, grow, and scale companies into global markets.
Together, the speakers will explore how ecosystem architecture, operational models, and community dynamics intersect – and why innovation communities are often the connective tissue that turns breakthrough ideas into real-world outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- What “Ecosystem Design” Looks Like in Practice: Learn how CIC, ARIA, and Station F intentionally structure space, programs, and incentives to support different stages of innovation – from early experimentation to global scale.
- How Mission-Driven Networks Enable Breakthrough Science: Understand how ARIA builds focused, time-bound communities around ambitious missions, empowering Programme Directors and teams with autonomy, speed, and access to the right collaborators.
- Why Density and Community Matter for Startup Growth: Gain insights from Station F on how colocating startups, corporates, investors, and global partners creates momentum, accelerates learning, and opens international pathways.
- Connecting Local Innovation to Global Impact:Explore how innovation communities rooted in place – Tokyo, Paris, London, Boston -can plug into global networks to share talent, capital, and opportunity across borders.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
Ready to find your next big mission in tech? We are starting the day with a high-energy welcome from Fabien Brogard Cipriani, Founder & CEO of HirePlanner, as he unlocks the secrets to making the most of the Global Gathering!
This session is your ultimate "How-To" for the Tech & Talent Commons at CIC Tokyo. Fabien will give you the inside scoop on the companies pitching, the best networking spots, and how to stand out in the bilingual tech scene. Whether you’re a developer, an architect, or a visionary leader, don’t miss this chance to jumpstart a day of discovery and growth. Your future starts here, let’s kick things off!
日本語
テック業界における無限のチャンスに満ちたエキサイティングな一日に、皆さまにご参加いただけることを大変嬉しく思います。このオープニング・セッションは、情熱的なプロフェッショナルと先進的な企業をつなぐ旅の始まりです。
このセッションでは、HirePlannerの創設者兼CEOであるFabien Brogard Ciprianiが、当日のイベントの概要を説明し、キャリアフェアをナビゲートする方法を共有し、主要なセッションとネットワーキングの機会を紹介します。新たなキャリアパスを模索するため、あるいは次の優秀な人材に出会うため、イノベーション、コラボレーション、成長の世界に飛び込むチャンスです。
共につながり、探求し、テックの未来を発見することで、スタートを切りましょう。
Session Speaker(s):
- Fabien Brogard Cipriani, Founder & CEO, Hireplanner.com
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Venture Café Fukuoka
Language: English
Session Description:
What happens when a city center becomes a campus?
In the heart of Fukuoka, the ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. stands alongside an intersection as more than a landmark. It is a new gravity field where enterprises, academia, investors, government and entrepreneurs collide.
Through the lens of an academic framework, we explore how this unique collaboration design embodies a true “Knowledge Co-creation Space.”
Join Fukuoka’s top innovation catalysts as we decode the blueprint that defines the future of our district to connect your dreams.
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: BCC, MAFF, CIC
Language: English
Session Description:
This panel explores how a multidisciplinary mix of policy, science, deep tech, and gastronomy is shaping the future of food. The conversation will look at how innovation can advance health, well-being, and sustainability while protecting what truly matters: food as a delicious, joyful, and deeply human experience. From cutting-edge technologies to cultural traditions and shared tables, the session asks how we can build food systems that are smarter and more resilient, without losing the pleasure, meaning, and community that make eating one of our most powerful social acts.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Social Innovation Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
We are honored to launch the Glass Rock venue with an opening session led by Robin Lewis, Co-founder of Social Innovation Japan. This plenary serves as the strategic orientation for our "Social Innovation & Global Impact Commons." Robin will frame the day’s dialogue around the concept of "Common Agendas"—the critical issues that intersect at both the local and global levels. This session is designed for policymakers, corporate CSR leads, and social entrepreneurs who are dedicated to the methodology of Collective Impact. Attendees will gain insights into how we can move beyond individual initiatives toward high-level partnerships that prioritize systemic change and sustainable food systems.
Session Speaker(s):
- Robin Lewis, Co-Founder at Social Innovation Japan
- Seira Yun, Founder at Socious
- Representative at Glass Rock
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo - American Room
Session Organizer: CIC Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
TBA
Session Speaker(s):
- TBA
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
The solution architect of the future” – Skills solution specialists and sales engineers will need in 2026 and beyond
As AI, cloud, and hybrid environments continue to reshape technology landscapes, the role of the solution architect is evolving faster than ever. This session explores what it truly means to be a solution architect in 2026 and beyond—where technical excellence must be combined with collaboration, customer-centric thinking, and strong decision-making skills.
Through real-world digital transformation case studies, we will examine how solution architects are navigating growing system complexity, shifting from technology-driven designs to architectures rooted in customer value and business outcomes. The discussion will also highlight why AI literacy is becoming essential, and how generative AI and automation can support better design choices, faster execution, and more informed decisions.
Designed for architects, senior engineers, and technology leaders, this session offers practical insights and a forward-looking perspective on the skills and mindset needed to stay relevant in the years ahead.
日本語
未来のソリューションアーキテクト
ー 2026年以降、ソリューションスペシャリスト／セールスエンジニアに求められるスキルとはー
AI、クラウド、ハイブリッド環境がテクノロジーの姿を大きく変え続ける中で、ソリューションアーキテクトの役割はこれまでになく急速に進化しています。本セッションでは、2026年以降においてソリューションアーキテクトであるとはどういうことかを掘り下げ、技術力に加えて、コラボレーション力、顧客中心の思考、そして的確な意思決定力がいかに重要になるかを探ります。
実際のデジタルトランスフォーメーション事例を通じて、ソリューションアーキテクトが増大するシステムの複雑性にどのように向き合い、技術主導の設計から顧客価値やビジネス成果を軸としたアーキテクチャへと移行しているのかを考察します。また、AIリテラシーがなぜ今後不可欠となるのか、そして生成AIや自動化が、より良い設計判断、迅速な実行、そして質の高い意思決定をどのように支援するのかについても取り上げます。
本セッションは、ソリューションアーキテクト、シニアエンジニア、テクノロジーリーダーを対象に、これからの時代に求められるスキルやマインドセットについて、実践的な示唆と将来を見据えた視点を提供します。
Session Speaker(s):
- Fabien Brogard Cipriani, Founder & CEO at Hireplanner.com
- Shingo Kitayama, Principal Solution Architect at RedHat
- Leo Linder at Emerge AI
- Atsuya Yamakawa at Workato
- … and More
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Glass Rock x Social Innovation Japan x Socious
Language: 日英 | English & Japanese
Session Description:
[ENG] 日本語が下に続きます
During the Venture Café Global Gathering, Glass Rock will serve as the Collective Impact Lab, providing a unique opportunity to explore local and global common agendas through the exchange of perspectives between Japan-based practitioners and international participants.
In this workshop-style session, participants will explore how to build sustainable and resilient cities through disaster preparedness, circular ecosystems, inclusion, and accessibility.
RUN ORDER
– Introduction (5 min)
– Agenda Pitches (15 min)
*Stories shared by subject-matter experts
– Group Discussions (40 min)
*Participants divided into English- and Japanese-speaking groups
– Sharing & Wrap-Up (10 min)
Speakers lineup coming soon!
[日本語]
Venture Café Global Gatheringでは、Glass Rockは日本と世界を繋ぐ「Collective Impact Lab」となります。ここでは、日本を拠点とする実践者と海外からの参加者が視点を共有・交換することで、ローカルとグローバルに共通するアジェンダを探究する貴重な機会を提供します。
ワークショップ形式の本セッションでは、防災、サーキュラーエコシステム、インクルージョン、アクセシビリティといったテーマを通じて、持続可能でレジリエントな都市のあり方を参加者とともに考えます。英語が苦手でも問題ありません。是非この機会に日本と世界の共通課題を探りましょう！
実施予定プログラム（日英バイリンガルで実施予定）
– イントロダクション（5分）
– アジェンダ・ピッチ（15分）
※各分野の実践者・専門家によるストーリー共有
– グループディスカッション（40分）
※日本語／英語の言語別グループに分かれて実施
– 共有・まとめ（10分）
登壇者は後日発表予定です。
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [ENG]
The Collective Impact Lab features a series of hands-on workshops that bring together Japan-based practitioners addressing social issues—centered around communities such as Glass Rock, Social Innovation Japan, and Socious—alongside international participants who are engaged in or exploring social impact.
Using Tokyo as a living context, participants will connect local practice with global perspectives through practitioner-led agenda pitches and bilingual group discussions across three themes: Urban Sustainability, Wellbeing in an Aging Society, and Opportunity in Contemporary Society.
Rather than prescribing solutions, the session emphasizes co-discovering Common Agendas and planting the seeds for international collective impact initiatives that can continue within existing ecosystems beyond the event.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [JPN]
Collective Impact Labでは、一連のワークショップを通じて、社会課題に取り組む日本の実践者と共に、国際的に社会的インパクトに関わる、もしくは関心を持つ参加者を結びつけます。
東京という“生きた舞台”を活用し、参加者は実践者によるアジェンダ・ピッチや、日英両言語で行うグループディスカッションを通じて、地域での実践と世界的な視点をつなげることができます。ディスカッションは都市の持続可能性（Urban Sustainability）、高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイング（Wellbeing in an Aging Society）、現代社会における新たな機会（Opportunity in Contemporary Society）という3つのテーマに沿って行われます。
本セッションでは、解決策を提示するのではなく、共通のアジェンダを共に発見すること、そしてイベント後も既存のエコシステムの中で継続可能な国際的なコレクティブ・インパクトの種をまくことに重点を置いています。
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: MassRobotics, ARIA, Robotics X Tokyo
Language: English
Global Robotics Frontiers: An Intercontinental Dialogue on Collective Impact
Session Description:
What happens when you put the world’s brightest robotics minds from the US, UK, and Japan on one stage? You get a masterclass in the future of technology. Join us for an exhilarating deep-dive into the world of robots, featuring Mike Sudano (WOVEN by Toyota), Jenny Read (ARIA), and Russell Nickerson (MassRobotics). We’re exploring everything from the robots that will run our future cities to the breakthrough research changing the game in Europe and the startup ecosystems exploding in North America. If you want to see how “Collective Impact” is literally being built in real-time, this is the session for you!
Session Speaker(s):
- Jenny Read, Programme Director at ARIA
- Mike Sudano, Senior Robotics Operations Engineer at WOVEN by Toyota
- Russell Nickerson, Engagement Liaison at MassRobotics
- Tetsuya Ogata, Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering at Waseda University
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Venture Café Global Institute
Language: English
Welcome to the Venture Café Global Gathering, where innovation ecosystem leaders from cities around the world come together in Tokyo to share lessons from building and sustaining vibrant entrepreneurial communities.
What began in Boston in 2009 has grown into a global network that has activated over 24 cities and counting, engaging more than 850,000 innovators, entrepreneurs, and community builders. At the core of this network are local leaders who design inclusive spaces, convene diverse stakeholders, and strengthen innovation ecosystems in their cities while remaining deeply connected globally.
In this session, Venture Café Directors and partners will share real-world case studies and personal stories from their local ecosystems, illustrating how community-led innovation not only strengthens cities, but also meaningfully impacts individual lives. These stories highlight founders who found their first collaborators, researchers who discovered new pathways, and community members who unlocked opportunities through connection.
What you will learn
- How strong innovation ecosystems are built by prioritizing community, trust, and consistent convening before infrastructure or scale
- How a shared global framework enables local ownership, allowing each city to adapt innovation practices to its unique context
- Why inclusion across sectors, founders, researchers, corporates, and creatives strengthens ecosystem resilience and impact
- How consistency and long-term commitment build credibility and momentum within local innovation communities
- How cities learn faster and grow stronger by sharing lessons, models, and connections across a global network
- How intentional community building can lead to tangible, life-changing outcomes for individuals within innovation ecosystems
Join us for an engaging, cross-city conversation on community-led ecosystem building. Learn how to engage with Venture Café chapters around the world and apply these global lessons to spark new partnerships, opportunities, and ideas in your own ecosystem.
Speaker:
- Alejandra Buendia ｜ Director −Venture Café Monterrey
- Alex Cheung ｜ Director −Venture Café Cambridge
- Andrew Ruffler ｜ Director −Venture Café Manchester
- Claudia Cavalluzzo ｜ Director −Venture Café Edinburgh
- Dominika Duda ｜ Program Director −Venture Café Warsaw
- Ewa Geresz ｜ Director −Venture Café Berlin
- Liam Ward ｜ Director −Venture Café London
- Sarah Waschler ｜ Experience and Event Manager – Venture Café Phoenix
- Ryusuke Komura ｜ Exective Director −Venture Café Tokyo
Moderator:
- Nathan Plummer, General Manager, Venture Café Global Institute
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Disrupting Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
As the global AI narrative moves beyond generative models toward embodied intelligence, Japan stands at a critical strategic crossroads.
Join Tim Romero (Disrupting Japan), Chiamin Lai (Managing Partner, Firstlight Capital) and Kaname Hayashi (CEO, Groove X) for a high-level examination of why Japan is uniquely positioned to lead the “Physical AI” epoch. Drawing from their analysis of Japan’s labor demographics and industrial assets, they will discuss the convergence of high-precision hardware with autonomous software systems.
This session explores the shifting competitive landscape between the US, China, and Japan, offering a strategic outlook on how Japan can leverage its “on-site” technological legacy to solve the world’s most pressing structural challenges.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Hualien Venture Studio
Language: English
Session Description:
How can local food culture become a platform for innovation that improves human wellbeing, strengthens farm-to-table economies, and reduces environmental impact? This panel brings together health, hospitality, venture building, and culinary ecosystem leaders to share pilots and partnership models turning gastronomy travel into measurable outcomes for people and resilient food systems.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer:
Language: English
Session Description:
Are you on a mission to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world impact?
This session brings together perspectives from Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F), Renaissance Philanthropy (RenPhil), SRI International and RI Bio, exploring how cutting-edge scientific research can move beyond discovery to create real-world impact.
Through discussions that bridge science and business, as well as academia and startups, the session will examine how globally connected ecosystems and cross-sector collaboration can support the translation of research into innovation and societal value—aligned with the broader vision of the Global Startup Campus Initiative led by the Cabinet Office.
Join us to be part of a global collective dedicated to driving positive change through the power of science and innovation.
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Venture Café Global Institute
Language: English
In this session, the following 4 companies will take the stage to present on the cutting edge of social transformation enabled by AI and data technologies.
- eftax Co., Ltd.
- Digirow Inc.
- Asilla
- Green AI Co., Ltd.
Healthcare, Food Diversity, Security, and environment & sustainability while each company tackles a distinct domain, they share a common goal: using technology to eliminate inefficiencies and dependency on individuals within social infrastructure and business operations, creating more sustainable and reliable systems.
AI is no longer merely an efficiency tool; it is becoming a force that enhances decision-making quality and accelerates solutions to societal challenges. This session will unravel how AI is taking root in the field and generating value, through concrete use cases and real-world implementation stories from each company.
What is the next standard emerging across industries and domains?
This thought-provoking session explores the current state and future of AI×social implementation.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: Japanese/日本語
Session Description:
エンジニアはいかにAIとデータをビジネス成長につなげるのか？
― 行動から成果へ：成功するイノベーターからの知見 ―
エンジニアがAIやデータをどのように“行動”へ落とし込み、ビジネス成長につなげていくのかをテーマに議論します。
一問一答形式ではなく、登壇者同士の対話を通じて、実際の取り組みや具体的な事例を交えながら、現場での意思決定や考え方を共有していきます。
AI・データ活用に取り組むエンジニアや、現場をリードする立場の方が、次のアクションを考えるきっかけやヒントとなるセッションです。
ENG：
The solution architect of the future” – Skills solution specialists and sales engineers will need in 2026 and beyond
This session explores how engineers can turn AI and data into action and connect them to real business growth.
Rather than a simple Q&A format, the discussion will be driven by dialogue among the speakers, incorporating real initiatives and concrete examples to share practical perspectives on decision-making in the field.
It is designed for engineers working with AI and data, as well as those leading teams on the ground, to provide insights and inspiration for their next actions.
Session Speaker(s):
- Masatoshi Tanaka | Senior Architect, Consulting Services Department at Red Hat
- Katsutoshi Kojima at IBM
- … and more
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Glass Rock x Social Innovation Japan x Socious
Language: 日英 | English & Japanese
[ENG] 日本語が下に続きます
During the Venture Café Global Gathering, Glass Rock will serve as the Collective Impact Lab, providing a unique opportunity to explore local and global common agendas through the exchange of perspectives between Japan-based practitioners and international participants.
In this workshop-style session, participants will explore wellbeing in an aging society, a social challenge Japan is among the first to face, through healthcare and medical innovation.
RUN ORDER
– Introduction (5 min)
– Agenda Pitches (15 min)
*Stories shared by subject-matter experts
– Group Discussions (40 min)
*Participants divided into English- and Japanese-speaking groups
– Sharing & Wrap-Up (10 min)
Speakers lineup coming soon!
[日本語]
Venture Café Global Gatheringでは、Glass Rockは日本と世界を繋ぐ「Collective Impact Lab」となります。ここでは、日本を拠点とする実践者と海外からの参加者が視点を共有・交換することで、ローカルとグローバルに共通するアジェンダを探究する貴重な機会を提供します。
高齢化という課題は、日本が世界に先駆けて直面している社会課題のひとつです。ワークショップ形式の本セッションでは、参加者は高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイングを、医療・ヘルスケアのイノベーションを通じて探究します。英語が苦手でも問題ありません。是非この機会に日本と世界の共通課題を探りましょう！
実施予定プログラム（日英バイリンガルで実施予定）
– イントロダクション（5分）
– アジェンダ・ピッチ（15分）
※各分野の実践者・専門家によるストーリー共有
– グループディスカッション（40分）
※日本語／英語の言語別グループに分かれて実施
– 共有・まとめ（10分）
登壇者は後日発表予定です。
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [ENG]
The Collective Impact Lab features a series of hands-on workshops that bring together Japan-based practitioners addressing social issues—centered around communities such as Glass Rock, Social Innovation Japan, and Socious—alongside international participants who are engaged in or exploring social impact.
Using Tokyo as a living context, participants will connect local practice with global perspectives through practitioner-led agenda pitches and bilingual group discussions across three themes: Urban Sustainability, Wellbeing in an Aging Society, and Opportunity in Contemporary Society.
Rather than prescribing solutions, the session emphasizes co-discovering Common Agendas and planting the seeds for international collective impact initiatives that can continue within existing ecosystems beyond the event.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [日本語]
Collective Impact Labでは、一連のワークショップを通じて、社会課題に取り組む日本の実践者と共に、国際的に社会的インパクトに関わる、もしくは関心を持つ参加者を結びつけます。
東京という“生きた舞台”を活用し、参加者は実践者によるアジェンダ・ピッチや、日英両言語で行うグループディスカッションを通じて、地域での実践と世界的な視点をつなげることができます。ディスカッションは都市の持続可能性（Urban Sustainability）、高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイング（Wellbeing in an Aging Society）、現代社会における新たな機会（Opportunity in Contemporary Society）という3つのテーマに沿って行われます。
本セッションでは、解決策を提示するのではなく、共通のアジェンダを共に発見すること、そしてイベント後も既存のエコシステムの中で継続可能な国際的なコレクティブ・インパクトの種をまくことに重点を置いています。
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Startup Lady
Language: English
Session Description:
Startup Lady connects women entrepreneurs and women leaders in Japan and around the world, working closely with government bodies, corporations, and startups to create environments where people can challenge themselves beyond borders.
In this session, we will share:
– The leadership skills and mindset required of women leaders in the next generation Cross-border initiatives and practices implemented by Startup Lady
– The potential of collaboration between government and global ecosystems
Through concrete examples, we will discuss not only theory but also the real challenges and opportunities observed through hands-on experience. This session will offer insights into the future of cross-border business and the evolving role of women leaders in a global context.
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: CIC Japan Desk x JETRO
Language: English
Session Description:
Hear from founders who have navigated international market entry through JETRO’s global programs, sharing authentic stories of both successes and setbacks from their expansion journeys.
This panel explores the real challenges, failures, and breakthrough moments of cross-border growth from building cross-cultural teams and adapting business models to leveraging ecosystem support. Whether you’re planning international expansion or supporting global innovators, walk away with honest insights from entrepreneurs who’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t) in new markets.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
This is the moment we’ve been building toward! Join us for an electric countdown as we prepare to crown the next global innovation champion. We’ll introduce the “All-Star” judging panel, reveal the 18 cities represented on stage, and get the crowd ready for the highest-stakes pitch event in Tokyo. From the flow of the lightning rounds to the criteria that will determine the winner, we’re setting the fuse for an afternoon of disruptive ideas and global breakthroughs. The countdown ends here, don’t miss the spark that starts the showdown!
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: TOKYO GLOBAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE (TGIC)
Language: English
Session Description:
Before the global spotlight turns to Pitch2Tokyo, we begin with a special showcase from Japan’s university startup ecosystem.
Taking the stage is the winner of a national university-level startup pitch competition: TOKYO GLOBAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE（TGIC), a team representing the next generation of entrepreneurial talent emerging from campuses across Japan. Built on curiosity, ambition, and the courage to take ideas beyond the classroom, this startup reflects the growing role of universities as engines of innovation and real-world impact.
This moment celebrates the journey from student-led idea to global-stage opportunity, and highlights how Japan’s universities are cultivating founders ready to engage with the world.
As a warm-up to Pitch2Tokyo, this showcase sets the tone for what’s ahead: bold thinking, fresh perspectives, and founders prepared to turn possibility into action on a global scale.
Company:
- Hey Ho
In recent years, “time poverty” has emerged as a growing social issue. As our lives become increasingly complex, many people constantly feel they “don’t have enough time,” often missing moments that truly matter. Hey-Ho is a C2C platform that connects those who want to help with those who need support, while ensuring trust through mutual identity verification and community-based evaluations. By sharing everyday burdens, Hey-Ho aims to create communities where saying “Can you help me for a moment?” feels natural and welcomed.
近年、「時間貧困」という社会問題が拡大しています。私たちの生活がより複雑化する中で、多くの人が常に「時間がない」と感じ、本来大切にしたかった瞬間を逃してきたのではないでしょうか。Hey-Hoは、「助けたい人」と「助けを必要とする人」を、相互の本人確認とコミュニティ評価によって信頼性を担保しながらつなぐC2Cプラットフォームです。日常の負担を分かち合い、「ちょっと助けて」が当たり前に言える街へ。
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: Universal Studios Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
Universal Studio Japan's Journey toward becoming the world's No.1 theme park | DX: Designing and Implementing Seamless Online–Offline Integration
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) takes on the digital transformation of theme parks.
Explore how USJ designs and connects systems, data, and on-site operations in a real, high-traffic environment
This session will highlight the realities behind creating frictionless guest experiences, promoting in-house development, building global co-creation frameworks, and delivering hands-on, tangible development in practice.
日本語：
USJが挑む世界No.1への道 – オンラインとオフラインをつなぐ設計と実装
ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン（USJ）が挑むテーマパークのDX。リアルで高トラフィックな空間、システム・データ・現場運用をどう設計し、どう “つなぐ” のか。
フリクションレスなゲスト体験、内製化の推進、グローバルの共創体制、そして“手触り感”のある開発のリアルに迫ります。
Session Speaker(s):
- Yukihiko Shimamura at USJ LLC
- Tetsuya Takahashi, Digital Technology Vice President at USJ LLC
- Yuuka Motobayashi, Digital & Technology, PMO Lead & Program Manager
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English & Japanese | 日英
Session Description:
This event features a dynamic pitch session where companies take the stage for rapid 5-minute pitches to introduce their business, share current career opportunities, and highlight what makes working with them unique. It’s a fast-paced way to discover who’s hiring and what they’re building.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and engage directly with hiring stakeholders and decision-makers from tech companies and global brands actively seeking tech professionals. While not all participating companies are technology companies, every organization is looking to hire tech talent and the innovators shaping the future.
日本語
本イベントでは、企業が登壇し、5分間のショートピッチを通じて自社の事業内容や現在の採用ポジション、そして働く魅力を紹介します。テンポよく進むセッションの中で、「どの企業が採用しているのか」「何を生み出しているのか」を効率的に知ることができます。
参加者は、テック企業やグローバルブランドで採用を担当するキーパーソンや意思決定者と直接交流できる貴重な機会を得られます。参加企業のすべてがテック企業というわけではありませんが、いずれの企業もテック人材、そして次世代のイノベーターを求めています。
Session Speaker(s):
- Fabien Brogard Cipriani, CEO at Hireplanner.com
- … and More
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
MEET THE 2026 COHORT: https://venturecafeglobal.org/global-gathering-2026/pitch2tokyo-2026-finalists/
18 Cities. 18 Founders. One Global Winner. The road to Tokyo has been long, but the destination is finally here. We’ve scoured the Venture Café global network to find the most audacious founders building for the future, and on February 19th, the “Final 18” take the main stage. This is #Pitch2Tokyo: where global winners from Tokyo, Cambridge, Warsaw, Phoenix, London and beyond collide for the chance to scale their business globally from Japan. No fluff, just high-growth startups pitching to a panel of distinguished judges.
Pitch2Tokyo General Overview:
4:50pm - Welcome and Judge Introduction(s)
5:00pm - Tokyo Global Innovation Challenge University Pitch Winner - Hey Ho
5:05pm - Pitch2Tokyo Group 1
5:58pm - Pitch2Tokyo Group 2
6:51pm - Pitch2Tokyo Group 3
7:40pm - Judge Time**
**Sessions will be going taking place during this time
8:30pm - Pitch2Tokyo Winner Announcement
Pitch2Tokyo Run-Order:
Block 1 – ACCESSIBILITY
5:05pm: Precious Adeyemi - Beeva AI (Berlin)
5:11pm: Ayan Sakenov - LOOQ (Yokohama)
5:17pm: Hyeongseok Jeon - Morai (Seoul)
5:23pm: Shota Imamura - Nefront (Tokyo)
5:29pm: Travis Ralph-Donaldson - Niter Ltd (Speech Labs) (Manchester)
5:35pm: Jeremy Chow - Tactus (Cambridge)
Followed by 12 minutes of Q&A
Block 2 – SUSTAINABILITY
5:58pm: Ryo Sasamoto - AirMembrane (Tsukuba)
6:04pm: Anaut Patterson Mendiola - Blue Reef Algae (San Sebastian)
6:10pm: Xiaoyan Ma - Danu Robotics Ltd (Edinburgh)
6:16pm: Monika Radomska - EcoBean (Warsaw)
6:22pm: Dennis Ilic - eMotion Fleet (Fukuoka)
6:28pm: Seishiro Tsukuda - Wada Food Tech (Osaka)
Followed by 12 minutes of Q&A
Block 3 – WELL-BEING
6:51pm: Yasmin Baba - Amilis (London)
6:57pm: Bianca Wang - Earthling BioMed (Hualien)
7:03pm: Kira Burns - Gravitrex (Phoenix)
7:09pm: Yo Amakusa - iBody (Nagoya)
7:15pm: Keisuke Ito - nonat (Gifu)
7:21pm: Dan Cabral - XiA'H (Monterrey)
Followed by 12 minutes of Q&A
JUDGES for Pitch2Tokyo 2026
Takaaki Umezawa, Japan Chairperson at Cambridge Innovation Center
Chase Changhee Seon, Co-Founder at umoh.io
Daiki Sato, Partner at KPMG Japan
Keiichiro Nishi, Senior Vice President at Fujitsu
Mikiya Endo, Principal at D4V
Ryan Nakata, General Manager at Alumni Ventures
Schyler Alexandra Cole, Entrepreneur in Residence at Value Create Ventures
Taisuke "Alex" Odajima, CEO at EDGEof INNOVATION LLC
Will Horyn, Principal at Geodesic Capital
Yu Li Shein, Director, Founders Institute Japan
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Cambridge Innovation Center
Language: English
As global knowledge and trade flows are being reshaped, maintaining an innovation edge increasingly depends on strong, trusted links between like-minded ecosystems.
This panel explores how Japan and Europe can deepen cross-border collaboration by connecting science-driven innovation hubs and translating research excellence into shared economic and societal value. The discussion will highlight priority areas of Europe for cooperation with Japan, from advanced technologies to applied research and industrial innovation, and examine how aligned values, open exchange, and long-term partnerships can strengthen resilience, competitiveness, and leadership in a rapidly evolving global innovation landscape.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Reinventing the Giants: How Japan’s Leading Corporations Are Transforming Legacy into Innovation
Session Description:
Innovation is no longer the domain of startups alone. In this session, we explore how Japanese corporate giants such as Toyota and Fujitsu are reinventing themselves for a new era of innovation.
Through initiatives like Toyota’s Woven City, a real-world living laboratory, and Fujitsu’s Uvance Innovation Studio, an open collaboration hub connecting corporations with startups and partners, these companies demonstrate how legacy organizations can adapt, experiment, and co-create in a rapidly changing environment.
Drawing on tangible, ongoing case studies, the session will examine how Japan’s traditionally closed, internal development culture is shifting toward more open, experimental, and collaborative innovation models. Participants will gain practical insights into corporate transformation, open innovation, and real-world experimentation and how these approaches help long-established companies remain competitive and future-ready.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Glass Rock x Social Innovation Japan x Socious
Language: 日英 | English & Japanese
Session Description:
[ENG] 日本語が下に続きます
During the Venture Café Global Gathering, Glass Rock will serve as the Collective Impact Lab, providing a unique opportunity to explore local and global common agendas through the exchange of perspectives between Japan-based practitioners and international participants.
In this workshop-style session, participants will explore how AI and emerging technologies can be leveraged to promote accessibility, cultural diversity, and gender equality. They will apply these tools to build inclusive and equitable societies in a globalizing world.
RUN ORDER
– Introduction (5 min)
– Agenda Pitches (15 min)
*Stories shared by subject-matter experts
– Group Discussions (40 min)
*Participants divided into English- and Japanese-speaking groups
– Sharing & Wrap-Up (10 min)
Speakers lineup coming soon!
[日本語]
Venture Café Global Gatheringでは、Glass Rockは日本と世界を繋ぐ「Collective Impact Lab」となります。ここでは、日本を拠点とする実践者と海外からの参加者が視点を共有・交換することで、ローカルとグローバルに共通するアジェンダを探究する貴重な機会を提供します。
本ワークショップ形式のセッションでは、参加者はアクセシビリティ、多文化共生、ジェンダー平等の推進に取り組むために、どのようにAIや最先端技術を活用できるかを模索し、グローバル化する世界で包摂的かつ公平な社会の構築を目指します。
実施予定プログラム（日英バイリンガルで実施予定）
– イントロダクション（5分）
– アジェンダ・ピッチ（15分）
※各分野の実践者・専門家によるストーリー共有
– グループディスカッション（40分）
※日本語／英語の言語別グループに分かれて実施
– 共有・まとめ（10分）
登壇者は後日発表予定です。
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [ENG]
The Collective Impact Lab features a series of hands-on workshops that bring together Japan-based practitioners addressing social issues—centered around communities such as Glass Rock, Social Innovation Japan, and Socious—alongside international participants who are engaged in or exploring social impact.
Using Tokyo as a living context, participants will connect local practice with global perspectives through practitioner-led agenda pitches and bilingual group discussions across three themes: Urban Sustainability, Wellbeing in an Aging Society, and Opportunity in Contemporary Society.
Rather than prescribing solutions, the session emphasizes co-discovering Common Agendas and planting the seeds for international collective impact initiatives that can continue within existing ecosystems beyond the event.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [JPN]
Collective Impact Labでは、一連のワークショップを通じて、社会課題に取り組む日本の実践者と共に、国際的に社会的インパクトに関わる、もしくは関心を持つ参加者を結びつけます。
東京という“生きた舞台”を活用し、参加者は実践者によるアジェンダ・ピッチや、日英両言語で行うグループディスカッションを通じて、地域での実践と世界的な視点をつなげることができます。ディスカッションは都市の持続可能性（Urban Sustainability）、高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイング（Wellbeing in an Aging Society）、現代社会における新たな機会（Opportunity in Contemporary Society）という3つのテーマに沿って行われます。
本セッションでは、解決策を提示するのではなく、共通のアジェンダを共に発見すること、そしてイベント後も既存のエコシステムの中で継続可能な国際的なコレクティブ・インパクトの種をまくことに重点を置いています。
Session Speaker(s):
- TBA
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: Skillhouse
Language: English
Session Description:
どれほど高いスキルを持つITプロフェッショナルでも、面接に進めないケースは少なくありません。その原因は、スキル不足ではなく、外資系・グローバル企業が求める視点で、自分の価値を履歴書に落とし込めていないことにあります。
本セッションは、日本人ITエンジニアを対象に、履歴書を「面接につながる武器」へと変えるための実践的なコーチングセッションです。外資系・グローバル企業への応募で実際に何が評価されるのかを解説し、成功事例に基づくベストプラクティス、よくある失敗、そして効果が実証されている戦略を共有します。
国際企業の採用担当が履歴書をどのようにチェックしているのか、最初の数秒で何を見ているのか、そして単なる職務内容の羅列ではなく、スキル・成果・ビジネスへの貢献度をどのように伝えるべきかを学びます。エンジニアの専門領域を問わず、すぐに実践できる具体的なアドバイスにフォーカスした内容です。
優れたIT人材が、必ずしも正当に評価されるとは限りません。しかし、このセッションがその状況を変えるきっかけになります。このコーチングセッションを通じて、自分の強みを効果的に伝えられるようになり、面接機会を増やし、グローバルな採用市場で自信を持って挑めるようになります。
ENG:
3 Seconds to Pass or Fail : How to Write a Resume That Wins Interviews at Gaishikei & Global Tech Companies
Event the most skilled IT professionals struggle to get interviews — not because they lack expertise, but because their resumes fail to communicate their value in a way global and gaishikei companies expect.
This practical coaching session is designed to help Japanese IT professionals transform their resumes into interview-winning tools. We will break down what actually works when applying to gaishikei and global brands, sharing real-world best practices, common mistakes, and proven strategies used by successful candidates.
You will learn how recruiters at international companies review resumes, what they look for in the first few seconds, and how to clearly sell your skills, achievements, and impact — not just list responsibilities. The session focuses on actionable guidance you can apply immediately, regardless of your technical specialization.
The best IT experts don’t always get the job — but that’s about to change. This coaching event will help you position yourself effectively, increase your interview opportunities, and compete with confidence in the global job market.
Session Speaker(s):
- TBA
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Founders Institute
Language: English
Session Description:
Raising capital in Japan as a foreign founder is very different from fundraising in the US or Southeast Asia. Beyond traction and pitch decks, Japanese investors place strong emphasis on trust, long-term vision, local credibility, and founder commitment. Many great startups struggle simply because they don’t understand how investment decisions are actually made in Japan.
This session breaks down how foreign founders can successfully raise investment in Japan — what Japanese VCs and angels look for, common mistakes to avoid, and practical ways to position your startup for the Japanese market. You’ll walk away with clear, actionable insights to build relationships, credibility, and real momentum in Japan’s startup ecosystem.
日程：February 19, 2026
会場：Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
主催： KPMG
言語：日本語
セッション概要:
ディープテック・スタートアップのためのグローバル成長戦略
― UKに見るイノベーション・エコシステム ―
スタートアップが大きく成長するためには海外展開を見据えた事業展開が必要となります。英国におけるエコシステムや投資トレンドも踏まえて、日本から世界を目指すために必要なものを議論いたします。
[ENG]
Global Growth Strategies for Deep Tech Startups
— Insights from the UK Innovation Ecosystem —
For startups to reach their full potential, a business strategy built for international expansion is nonnegotiable. This session dives into the essential requirements for taking Japanese innovation to the world stage. By analyzing the current startup ecosystem and investment trends within the United Kingdom, we will discuss exactly what it takes to succeed in the global arena.
Speaker:
- 駐日英国大使館 德永 蛍（British Embassy Tokyo, Tokunaga hotaru）
- IQ Capital Ventur ベンチャーパートナー 上前田 直樹（IQ Capital Venture Partner, Kamimaeda Naoki）
- 京都大学イノベーションキャピタル 代表取締役社長 楠美 公（Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co.,Ltd., Kusumi ko）
- 有限責任 あずさ監査法人 常務執行役員 阿部 博（KPMG AZSA LLC Executive Officer, Partner, Abe Hiroshi）
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
How to Adapt Your Cybersecurity Strategy in the Age of AI – Strategy Tips for Companies of All Sizes – From Startups to Large Enterprises
As AI rapidly transforms how organizations build and scale technology, it is also reshaping the cybersecurity threat landscape. This session explores how companies of all sizes—from startups to large enterprises—can adapt their cybersecurity strategies to stay resilient in the age of AI.
Through practical insights and real-work experiences, we will discuss how AI impacts both attacks and defenses, what risks organizations should prioritize today, and how to design a security strategy that scales with growth. Whether you’re building from scratch or evolving an existing security framework, this session offers actionable guidance to help you make smarter, future-ready security decisions.
日本語:
AI時代にどうサイバーセキュリティ戦略を進化させるか― スタートアップから大企業まで、あらゆる規模の企業向け戦略のヒント ―
AIの急速な進化は、企業がテクノロジーを構築・拡張する方法を大きく変えると同時に、サイバーセキュリティの脅威環境そのものを再定義しています。本セッションでは、スタートアップから大企業まで、あらゆる規模の企業が「AI時代」においてどのようにサイバーセキュリティ戦略を適応・強化していくべきかを探ります。
実践的な知見や実際の現場経験をもとに、AIが攻撃と防御の両面にどのような影響を与えているのか、今優先的に取り組むべきリスクは何か、そして企業の成長に合わせて拡張可能なセキュリティ戦略をどのように設計すべきかを議論します。ゼロから体制を構築する企業にも、既存のセキュリティフレームワークを進化させたい企業にも、将来を見据えた、より賢いセキュリティ意思決定につながる具体的なヒントを提供します。
Session Speaker(s):
- Evangeline Chong, Account Executive at Skillhouse Staffing Solutions K.K.
- Sachiko Hasumi, Director of Cybersecurity at Starbucks
- Lalatiana Todic, Head of security at Bayer
- Yu Nakamura, Independant at Security Consultant
- Luke Chatelain, Cybersecurity Manager at Rakuten
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Business in Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
Collaborating With Japan: Decision Making, Trust, and Partners
Japan can be a strong market, but the way decisions move and trust is built can surprise global teams. This panel shares what works – and what fails – when you localize, choose partners, and work with customers and corporates in Japan.
“Collective Impact” is the Global Gathering theme. In Japan, impact often starts with collaboration: you rarely move fast alone. Progress depends on how well you work with customers, local partners, and trusted advisors, and how well you adapt to local context without losing your core value.
In this 40-minute panel hosted by Jason Ball (Business In Japan), speakers from product, design, marketing, and cross-border startup support compare notes from both the global and local side. We will discuss what outsiders often misunderstand about Japan decision making, how trust and relationships are evaluated, the value of local partners (access, context, and credibility), and how to work with corporates without becoming “just the product” – including when it is smarter to pause or walk away. Expect practical patterns and real examples, not big claims.
TAKEAWAYS (4)
- How Japan decision making often works in practice, and what global teams misread
- What “trust” looks like on the ground, and how it is built (or lost)
- Why local partners matter – and how to set expectations and work well together
- How to collaborate with big corporates while protecting value, including exit signals when it is not working
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: CIC Catalyst
Language: English
Session Description:
Panel: Superintelligence × New Energy: The Cognitive Powerhouse Recharging Mobility’s Future
What happens when mobility is no longer constrained by today’s intelligence or energy systems? In this global conversation, we explore how superintelligent AI, fusion energy, solid-state batteries, and radically efficient compute could converge to redefine transportation — not incrementally, but structurally.
What we’ll explore:
- Where frontier tech becomes a future mobility narrative.
- Superintelligence in mobility: AI systems that go beyond autonomy to predict, coordinate, and orchestrate entire mobility ecosystems.
- Energy beyond the grid: fusion, next-generation power concepts, and what abundant or cheaper energy would unlock globally.
- Solid-state battery breakthroughs: higher energy density, faster charging, improved safety, and extended range at scale.
- Compute as energy infrastructure: low-power GPUs and deep chip-level AI as a hidden lever of future mobility efficiency.
- Japan’s strategic edge: materials science, precision manufacturing, and system integration as pillars of global leadership.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: Le Wagon Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
AI agents are already reshaping how teams design and launch campaigns.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build an AI agent that can plan and run a mini marketing campaign using n8n and Slack, no technical skills needed.
Who is this event for?
This session is for you if you’re a marketer, product manager, entrepreneur, or simply curious about AI, automation, and no-code tools. All levels are welcome!
What you’ll learn
– AI agents basics and how to orchestrate them in a no-code way with n8n
– How to trigger a marketing campaign from a simple Slack message
– Starter best practices: prompts, workflows, and the essential tool checklist
– Current limitations and what to explore next
Session Speaker(s):
- Gary Yau, Teacher, Le Wagon Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: Japanese / 日本語
Session Description:
イノベーション文化で実現する、テックチームの継続的な成長
― 持続的成長を実現するテックリーダーと組織文化 ―
変化の速い開発現場で、イノベーションを生み出し続けるチームは何が違うのか。
Red Hat、Alibaba Cloud、USJ——異なるカルチャーを持つ3社のエンジニアリング／プロジェクトの現場から、意思決定の考え方、チームの動かし方、挑戦を後押しする仕組みを紐解きます。 イノベーションの裏側にある、各社のカルチャーや意思決定の背景に触れながら、日々の開発やプロジェクト推進を考えるための視点を得られるセッションです。
ENG:
Driving Continuous Innovation in Tech Teams Through a Culture of Innovation – Insights from Tech Leaders and Organizations Achieving Sustainable Growth
What sets teams that continue to innovate apart in fast-changing development environments?
Drawing from the engineering and project delivery frontlines of three organizations with very different cultures—Red Hat, Alibaba Cloud, and USJ—this session explores how decisions are made, how teams are led, and what enables people to take on new challenges. By examining the cultures and decision-making contexts behind innovation at each company, participants will gain new perspectives to reflect on their own day-to-day development and project execution.
Session Speaker(s):
- Masae KUDO at HirePlanner.com
- Yuhei Miki, Senior Director Solution Architecture Department at RedHat
- Susumi Nitsuma, Business Development Director at Alibaba
- Tetsuya Takahashi, Digital Technology Vice President at Universal Studio Japan
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
Babson College Entrepreneurship Professor Yasuhiro “Yasu” Yamakawa shares the counterintuitive mantra behind resilient innovators that “Failure is Good” when you turn it into momentum. Drawing on two decades of teaching and field research, plus his track record as Co‑founder and first Executive Director who launched Venture Café Tokyo, Yasu will show how to create cultures that normalize pre‑mortems, set acceptable loss, and cycle Act → Learn → Build → Repeat.
Come ready to reframe risk, unlock bolder experiments, and leave with practical moves your team can use the very next day!
Session Speaker(s):
- Dr. Yasuhiro Yamakawa, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College
Date: February 19, 2026
Location:Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Program Partner: Osaka x Innovation Dojo x CIC
Language: English
Session Description:
When people talk about innovation in Japan, the conversation almost always gravitates toward Tokyo. Yet the Kansai region, including the designated “startup cities” of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, represents a major economy in its own right, with its own decision-makers, institutions, and ways of getting things done.
This session moves beyond high-level partnerships to examine how global innovation and cross-border programs actually operate on the ground in Kansai. Drawing on real examples, the panel will share insights from multiple execution layers, including:
- Regional innovation hubs and platforms
- City-led startup and inbound programs
- Innovation program, HR, and business development service providers
- Overseas universities that have established business development and engagement functions in Japan
The discussion is designed for both global and Japanese audiences who want a practical understanding of what is really happening in Kansai, and for those interested in connecting with the people and organisations actively making global innovation work beyond Tokyo.
Speaker:
- Joshua Flannery, Founder & CEO, Innovation Dojo Japan
- Marisa Watanabe
- Junik Bae
- Ryusuke Komura, Executive Director, Venture Café Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room B
Session Organizer:
Language: English
Session Description:
Join us for a fireside chat exploring how technology strengthens community building and fuels innovation.
For more than 25 years, Venture Café and Cambridge Innovation Center have built powerful innovation communities around the world. This experience has shaped a deep understanding of what enables meaningful connection and long term engagement, and how technology can extend that impact.
Led by Radek Pryka, CIC’s Chief Technology Officer, and Andreas Stillman, Venture Café Global Institute’s Global Community Director, this conversation will unveil the journey behind GatherUs, a new startup technology being revealed during this session. Built from decades of hands on community building, GatherUs reflects real world lessons on how to make gatherings more welcoming, connected, and sustainable.
Together, they will explore how technology can enhance in person and hybrid experiences, transform events into ongoing communities, and help organizers focus less on administration and more on relationships.
Using their experience building GatherUs, they’ll share lessons on how to navigate technical challenges, prioritize features and functionalities for MVP, and make important technical decision.
Whether you are a founder, organizer, or community builder, this session offers practical insights and inspiration for using technology thoughtfully to cultivate belonging and lasting connection.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: CIC
Language: English
Session Description:
As startups transition from founder-led ventures to institutionalized organizations, governance becomes a critical driver of performance, resilience, and strategic coherence.
This session examines startup governance as an institutional design problem and addresses:
- How governance structures evolve across growth stages
- The relationship between governance quality and strategic execution
- Board composition, control rights, and leadership accountability
- Practical governance models for early and mid-stage startups
Led jointly by two strategy and organizational design specialists, this session integrates empirical insights with practitioner frameworks to support sustainable startup growth.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: CampusAI
Language: English
Session Description:
As AI tools rapidly reshape the workplace, a critical gap has emerged: while technology advances fast, most everyday workers are left without practical, accessible training to use AI confidently in their roles. In this session, Aureliusz Górski, Founder and CEO of CampusAI, explores why AI adoption is failing at the human level—and what organizations can do about it.
Drawing on CampusAI’s experience working with professionals across non-technical roles like marketing, HR, sales, and operations, Aureliusz will share how immersive, hands-on learning environments can turn AI from an abstract concept into a daily productivity partner. He’ll introduce a new approach to AI upskilling that combines real-world use cases, social learning, and continuous experimentation—designed specifically for people who are not engineers, but are expected to work alongside AI.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to build a Human + AI readiness culture, practical strategies for closing the AI skills gap in their organizations, and insight into why democratizing AI education is essential for the future of work.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
The Global Gathering 2026 concludes its competitive program with the official announcement of the #Pitch2Tokyo champion. Following a rigorous evaluation by our panel of industry experts and investors, we will recognize the startup that best exemplifies the spirit of "Collective Impact" and demonstrates the highest potential for cross-border integration. This session serves as a celebration of international entrepreneurial excellence and a formal closing to the day’s main stage activities, highlighting the strategic partnership between Venture Café Global, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the international innovation community.
Session Speaker(s):
- Takaaki Umezawa, Chairman, CIC Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
Don’t go anywhere! We are wrapping up an incredible day in Toranomon with a celebration you won’t want to miss. After a day of world-class pitches and deep-dives, we’re coming together for one final high-energy wrap-up. Be the first to hear the news, celebrate our community’s success, and find out what’s next for Venture Café. See you at the finish line!
Session Speaker(s):
- Ryusuke Komura, Executive Director, Venture Café Tokyo
Yo Max Amakusa – CEO, iBody Inc. Max has extensive experience in business development, and marketing gained during his tenure at Sumitomo Pharma. He later joined Ambicion, a biotech startup originating from RIKEN, where he served as an executive officer and led its business strategy. In March 2020, he was appointed CEO of iBody Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in cutting-edge monoclonal antibody discovery technology. He holds an MBA from Bond University, earned in 2016.
Dan Cabral es estudiante de Médico Cirujano en el Tec de Monterrey, con formación en biociencias y emprendimiento científico-tecnológico. Con más de cinco años de experiencia en investigación y cuatro en emprendimiento, ha liderado proyectos en biología molecular, microbiología y biotecnología. Ademas de participar en diversas iniciativas que promueven el emprendimiento científico. Es CEO y co-founder de XiA’H, startup biotecnológica que desarrolla transforma plantas en ingredientes funcionales a partir de biotecnología. XiA’H ha sido reconocida nacional e internacionalmente, encontrándose en una etapa de expansión e impacto a nivel global y siendo referente de innovación base científico-tecnológica. Dan refleja cómo la diversidad, la curiosidad y el aprendizaje continuo pueden convertirse en motores de innovación multidisciplinaria. @dan-cp en LinkedIn (: Preferred pronouns: they/them
Bing Chomprasob leads the Forum’s strategy and engagement with government, business, academia and civil society in Japan. He is responsible for advancing the Forum’s mission and strategic priorities in Japan, while shaping the country’s contributions to regional and global agendas through high-impact collaborations and multi-stakeholder initiatives. Previously, Bing Chomprasob served as Deputy Head for Regional Agenda, Asia Pacific at the World Economic Forum, where he managed the Forum’s relationships with governments and public institutions across the Asia Pacific region, including ASEAN. He also led global education and skills initiatives within the Forum’s Centre for New Economy and Society. Prior to joining the Forum, Bing Chomprasob worked with various international development organizations including USAID, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation where he focused on building public-private partnerships to address global challenges spanning education, workforce development, sustainability, and the circular economy. He holds a Master of Science degree in Urbanization and Development from the London School of Economics and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Studies from the University of California, Irvine.
Jeremy Chow is the founder of Tactus, where he has designed and developed a wearable device that translates music into vibrations, making music more inclusive and accessible for the Deaf community. What began in Boston has since grown into a global venture, with active involvement in innovation ecosystems across Tokyo and Hong Kong. His passion for sound, design, and human connection drives his mission to make sensory experiences more inclusive for everyone.
Hiyama is an Executive Officer and General Manager of the Regional Co-Creation Department at Club Tourism International Inc. Club Tourism is a travel company whose core customer base is active seniors, focusing on creating social connections and a sense of purpose through travel. Building on this expertise, Hiyama works to advance sustainable tourism destination development by harnessing the power of community collaboration.
Yukihiko Ito founded ASTERISK Inc. in New York at the age of 23, focusing on innovative real estate investment and management since 2006. Specializing in enhancing the soft values of real estate, he has catered to global investors and HNW individuals since 2008 and is a pioneer in Japan's real estate and hospitality sectors. In 2018, Ito established GOYOH Inc., a PropTech startup offering ESG real estate solutions via the 'EaSyGo' platform, focusing on creating soft value and social impact. Ito also serves on the CRREM Global Scientific & Investors Committee.
As the founder of KANAI&CO, he supports foreign entrepreneurs launching startups in Japan by bridging cultural, regulatory, and funding gaps — especially at the PMF stage.
With senior leadership experience at Goldman Sachs, Arthur Andersen, and Deloitte, and as a USCPA, he offers a unique cross-border approach to startup growth and public funding.
Key achievements include:
– ¥48M JFC loan & ¥40M subsidy for Israeli AI startup SivanS Lab
– ¥15M JFC loan & multiple grants advised for Chinese-led healthtech startup IWG Inc.
His expertise spans subsidies, loans, strategic planning, and market entry execution. He is committed to empowering global founders to succeed in Japan’s evolving startup ecosystem.
Amelia Kinooka is an English-Danish-Japanese mixed ambassador for Venture Cafe Tokyo and YOKOHAMA CONNECT, and a member of the Global Shapers Yokohama Hub. Having graduated with a bilingual diploma from the IB Program in high school, her passions include psychology, environmental science, and various DEI topics. She is currently taking a gap year and exploring internships after having been traveling around Europe for 5 months.
As the Founder and CEO of Flora, Anna Kreshchenko brings a unique blend of high-performance discipline and entrepreneurial vision to Japan’s startup ecosystem. Originally from Ukraine, Anna was a world-class athlete who set a record as the youngest-ever participant in the World Karate Championship at 16. After moving to Japan in 2017 to pursue her studies, she launched Flora in 2020, quickly establishing herself as a leading innovator. Beyond her role at Flora, she contributes to regional policy as a member of the Kyoto Prefecture Comprehensive Plan Formulation Committee. Anna’s impact has been recognized globally by Forbes Asia and Forbes Japan (30 Under 30 and \"Next 100\") and as one of the Women in Tech 30.
Anna graduated from the Faculty of International Relations, Odessa National University of Ukraine. In 2017, she came to Japan as a MEXT scholar and enrolled in Kyoto University, Faculty of Law. Anna founded Flora in December 2020 to improve women\'s physical and mental wellbeing with the help of cutting-edge technology. Anna was awarded the Special Award as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, selected as Forbes Japan “Next 100” and Forbes Asia & Japan 30 under 30 in 2024.
He began his career in the overseas division of a major manufacturing company, gaining international experience in Singapore and Myanmar. In 2017, he joined Fujitsu, where he has been involved in launching new FinTech solutions while driving DX (Digital Transformation) and SX (Sustainability Transformation) initiatives. Since 2025, he has been part of the Uvance Innovation Studio (UIS), working to foster innovation that transcends organizational and industry boundaries.
Amy is the Founder and CEO of Danu Robotics, a company developing advanced vision-guided robotic systems for waste-sorting, quality control, and automated waste auditing. With a background in environmental technology and artificial intelligence, she focuses on creating practical, high-impact automation solutions that improve safety, material recovery, and operational efficiency within the waste-management sector.
Tatsuo is a communication designer specialized in sports industry. As co-founder and board member of Japan Sports Analyst Association, he created the annual flagship conference event ‘Sports Analytics Japan (SAJ)’ in 2014. The event has been growing and becoming one of the most influential conferences in sports community in Japan and aiming to develop the event as a leading sports analytics conference in Asia. He also created a space to share values, with the concept of jumping out of the sports community – a meet-up space dubbed “HiVE” in SAJ2020 to aim it will become a multi-cultural interactive festival.
Until the end of 2021, he was serving as Project Director of International Communications at Tokyo 2020, where he was leading the international communications team to convey the message from Tokyo 2020 to global audience. Before joining Tokyo 2020 on May 2016, he had been working for Japan Swimming National team as a Public Relations manager where he took part in number of international competitions including FINA World Championships and the Olympic Games with the national team.
He received Master of Arts degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Indiana State University.
Takako Ohyama is an entrepreneur and sustainability strategist based in Japan. She works across food, the circular economy, and place-based innovation, leading projects such as ELAB, NOM³, and the off-grid retreat brand awake. She also advises Vegalta Sendai on sustainability initiatives that connect sports, data, and local communities. Her focus is on turning sustainability into scalable business models and experiences that people genuinely want to be part of.
Yuji Otsuki is the CEO of FerroptoCure, a biotechnology company developing innovative anticancer therapies based on ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by oxidative stress. With a background in life science and translational research, he focuses on advancing drug development and building external collaborations to translate cutting-edge science into first-in-class therapeutic solutions for patients with unmet medical needs.
My early career work with rockstars took me on a journey that led to Austin over a decade ago. Here, I found a new mission in Austin\'s other leading industry, tech. After a stint in grad school immersing myself in the world\'s innovation ecosystems and paying my dues in Boston\'s Kendall Square, I\'ve fully leaned into my mission to connect innovators to make things happen. I collaborate with stakeholders in cities across the planet to grow innovation ecosystems that enable and empower the next generation of tech rockstars to improve the world through innovation.
I am a social impact leader, mentor, and spiritual changemaker devoted to shaping a future that truly serves children, youth, and women. With decades of lived experience across leadership, community work, and inner inquiry, I strive to bridge the worlds of purpose and practice with clarity and compassion. I have been involved with initiatives focused on youth and women’s empowerment, regenerative community building, and values-based leadership. My work emphasizes long-term transformation—restoring dignity to caregiving, re-centering women as nurturers and leaders, and supporting young people to build lives that excite them rather than confine them. Guided by the belief that the world changes through clarity, openness, integrity, compassion, and joy, I endeavor to bring a grounded, heart-led approach to everything I do. My spiritual journey—including a deeply formative pilgrimage to Mount Kailash—continues to inform my inquiry into identity, service, and conscious living. At this stage of my life, I see myself not as slowing down, but as stepping into custodianship—holding space, sharing wisdom, and helping the next generation lead with courage, humility, and care.
Miwa Sasaki is the ASCENT Program Manager, Japan at Renaissance Philanthropy. In this role, she supports the design and delivery of ASCENT, a government-backed initiative advancing ARPA-style research and science commercialization in Japan.
Miwa works at the core of the program, coordinating workshops, events, and international collaborations, including the delivery of Japan’s BiTS cohorts to develop future Venture Directors, the execution of challenge-driven research programs, and the operation of an international fellowship program. She collaborates closely with researchers, universities, government partners, and global counterparts to ensure smooth program delivery and meaningful ecosystem impact.
As the Founder and CEO of An-Nahal, Yu Shinagawa is at the forefront of bridging the gap between diversity and organizational growth. Since 2019, she has empowered corporations to embrace D&I through strategic talent development, while simultaneously building pathways for international students and foreign entrepreneurs to thrive in Japan. Yu’s career spans a unique intersection of global impact and local action—having collaborated on projects with the World Bank, managed refugee employment initiatives in the NPO sector, and led global HR development for major firms. Today, she is a driving force in making the startup ecosystem more inclusive, equitable, and globally competitive.
Green AI : Global Manager Takamiya Corporation : CEO Itochu Corporation : Chemical Dept 10years TBM : Global Business Dept 2years
竹田 元生（たけだ もとき） 株式会社WAVE1 取締役副社長 消防士の父を持ち、日本の防災制度と現場の乖離を原体験とする。国内最大級の消防メーカーで消防車両・設備の生産企画やBCP策定を歴任後、米国消防規格NFPAやインシデント・コマンド・システム（ICS）を研究。現在は株式会社WAVE1取締役副社長として、建物・エリア単位の防災力を定量化・スコア化し、防災を「コスト」から「社会的インパクトと投資価値を生む意思決定基盤」へ転換する取り組みを推進している。
Experienced sustainable Design director with a demonstrated history of working in the design industry. With many years of experience in the planning and design and implementation of various large and small scale projects from innovative design, architectural, interior to smart urban concept in various fields. Furthermore, directly involved in the consultation of entrepreneurs and innovative technology solutions, and Sustainable innovation centers concentrating on sustainable design, helping to innovate and develop modern design solutions. I am interested in getting to know like minded professionals from various fields, and networking in the current design world. I am passionately in love with design innovation in modern ecosystem, and universal design patterns.
Hotaru is an Investment Advisor at the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade, where she drives collaboration between the UK and Japan’s startup ecosystems. As Scale-up Lead at the British Embassy in Tokyo, she supports ambitious Japanese startups and scaleups as they enter and expand in the UK, connecting them with industry leaders and innovation networks to accelerate global success. Previously, Hotaru served at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she negotiated international investment treaties to advance both inward and outward investment opportunities. 駐日英国大使館にて、英国政府ビジネス・通商省（Department for Business and Trade）の対英投資業務を担当。英国・日本間のスタートアップエコシステム強化を推進し、特にディープテック領域において日本発スタートアップおよびスケールアップの英国進出を支援。産業界のキープレイヤーやイノベーションネットワークとの連携を通じ、事業展開の後押しを行っている。以前は外務省経済連携課に在籍し、国際投資協定の交渉を担当。日本企業の海外展開および国外からの投資促進に向けた制度整備に従事。
Bianca Wang Ph.D., Basic Medical Sciences (NCKU) Preclinical Manager, Original Biomedicals Co., Ltd. CTO, PASS Biomed Co., Ltd. Clinical & QA Manager, Maxima Biotech Inc.
Seira Yun is the Founder and CEO of Socious, a decentralized ecosystem helping changemakers with funding, talent, and connections. Seira is a serial impact entrepreneur and an impact angel investor with years of experience in the impact sector, leading teams within the ICRC, UNHCR, and social ventures. Drawing from personal experiences as a migrant, an individual with autism, and a proud pansexual queer, Seira is driven to make the world a better place through social innovation. As a full-stack developer with a Master\'s degree in Social Innovation from the University of Cambridge, Seira enjoys blending technology with purpose. Upon exiting his first social venture in 2021, he founded Socious. He is also a board member at TELL, a suicide prevention non-profit.
The Venture Café Global Gathering this year brings together innovators from ecosystems around the world to discover the Tokyo ecosystem, forge powerful connections, and showcase groundbreaking ideas. Expert speakers, selected pitch participants, partners and individuals from each Venture Café, spanning 15 cities worldwide, will converge in Tokyo on February 19th, 2026 to build an innovation community on a global scale. Venture Café teams will be applying years of first-hand experience as Innovation Ecosystem Activators locally, to maximize the impact of ecosystems converging globally. Our unique method of building strong communities is proven to generate new business opportunities and sustained collaboration.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
The Collider – Our Weekly Ritual, Globally Amplified
If you’ve been to a Thursday Gathering, you know the vibe. Now, imagine that energy, that talent, and those connections amplified across 80+ countries and three venues. This is the Global Gathering 2026, and Hall B is the “Collider” where it all happens.
We live by a simple truth: “Isolation is the Enemy of Innovation – Collaboration is its Greatest Ally.” We’ve stripped away the corporate barriers to create the ultimate marketplace of ideas:
- The Global Town Square: Last year, we hosted innovators from 80 different countries. This year, we’re pushing that boundary even further.
- Demo & Community Tables: This isn’t just “networking”; it’s hands-on. Meet the builders at our demo tables and connect with community leaders who are actually moving the needle. Come meet:
- Business in Japan
- Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)
- Design Thinking Japan
- Founder Institute Japan
- Harrietts
- Osaka Startup Ecosytem
- Pitch2Tokyo Participants
- Pulsar Innovations
- Social Innovation Japan
- Socious
- Startup Lady
- Takeoff Tokyo
- Tokyo Global Innovation Challenge
- Venture Café Global Institute
- XPRIZE
- …and more
- Founders, VCs, & Talent: Whether you’re one of our 18 #Pitch2Tokyo finalists or a founder looking for an adventurous VC or fresh tech talent, this is the room where “Glocal” happens.
From 13:30 to 21:00, Hall B is the Thursday Gathering you love, just on a massive, global scale.
Session Speaker(s):
- The Community (You!)
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: VCGI
Language: English
Session Description:
Don’t miss the spark that starts it all! Venture Café Global GM Nathan Plummer & Kristen Plymale of Global Expansion takes the stage for a rapid-fire, 5-minute welcome that will set your pulse racing for the day ahead. He’s distilling the power of our worldwide innovation network into one powerful message on Collective Impact. Be there at the start to hear how this Gathering is designed to be the ultimate launchpad for your next big partnership.
Session Speaker(s):
- Nathan Plummer, General Manager – Venture Café Global Institute (VCGI)
- Kristen Plymale, Global Growth Director – Venture Café Global Institute (VCGI)
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Plug and Play Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
By sharing the potential of Japan’s startup ecosystem from an international perspective and integrating investment and innovation insights, this session aims to advance cross-border open innovation and generate new collaborative opportunities to address market challenges, including the implementation of emerging and sustainable technologies.
There will be 3 Different Topics:
- Inside Japan’s Startup Ecosystem: What Makes it Different ? What Makes it Global ?
- Phillip Vincent | Managing Partner, APAC CEO, Plug and Play Japan
- Why Japan? Why Now? : The Rise of Japan as a Destination for Investment
- Jingqian Ma | Partner, Head of Ventures, Plug and Play Japan
- Showcasing Open Innovation: Breaking Down Barriers to ESG Implementation – Innovative Approaches for Breakthroughs
- Yukihiko Ito | Founder & CEO, GOYOH
- Keiichiro Yano | Co-Founder & CEO, Carbontribe
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: VCGI
Language: English
Session Description:
What does it mean to be a glocal leader? Featuring Global Shapers Community from World Economic Forum
We live in a rapidly changing world one where complex challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty are deeply interconnected across borders, yet felt most acutely at the local level. Addressing these challenges requires a new kind of leadership: individuals who can think globally, act locally, and bridge communities across cultures and geographies. These leaders are often called “glocal leaders.” But what does it really mean to be one?
In this panel discussion, members of the Global Shapers Community, a global youth leadership network of the World Economic Forum spanning over 155 countries and 500 hubs worldwide, come together to explore the meaning and significance of glocal leadership in today’s world and especially as we look toward the 2030 era.
Drawing from their experiences tackling local challenges in Japan while staying connected to a global network, the panelists will share:
- How global perspectives and networks can strengthen local problem-solving
- Essential factors to being a glocal leader
- How YOU can take your first step toward becoming a glocal leader
This session is designed especially for emerging changemakers who are curious about global leadership, community impact, and how international networks can empower local action. Through real stories, interactive discussion, and audience engagement, participants will gain both inspiration and practical insights into how they can grow as leaders and bring global learnings back to their own communities.
Join us to rethink leadership not as something distant or abstract, but as a mindset and practice that starts right where you are.
Session Speaker(s):
- Bing Chomprasob – Chief Representative Officer, Japan at the World Economic Forum
- Midori Usa – Global Shapers Community, Yokohama Hub, Shaper
- Natsuhiko Yamada – Pediatrician and AI Researcher at National Center for Child Health and Development, Master of Public Health Student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Shaper and Project Lead at Global Shapers Community, Tokyo Hub 2
- Amelia Kinooka – Global Shapers Community, Yokohama Hub, Shaper
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
Unlocking the Gathering: How to Make the Most of Today 🚀 New to Venture Café? Or just overwhelmed by the massive lineup today? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Join us for this high-energy interactive session where we reveal the “secret sauce” of our global community. We’ll show you how to navigate our three venues like a pro, who you need to meet, and how to turn a simple “hello” into a global partnership. It’s the ultimate crash course in enjoying the Global Gathering come see why this is the heartbeat of Tokyo’s innovation scene and how the theme of “Collective Impact” can carry you on your way.
Session Speaker(s):
- Ryusuke Komura, Executive Director at Venture Café Tokyo
- Tatsuo Ogura, Co-Project Manager at Global Gathering 2026
- Takuo Urushihara, Program Manager at Venture Café Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
Located within CIC Tokyo, this specialized networking environment is designed for high-stakes connectivity between the world’s leading tech organizations and premier bilingual talent. While maintaining the high energy of our global network, the Tech & Talent Commons prioritizes meaningful, outcome-driven interactions. Following our Reverse Pitch sessions, where companies articulate their identity and contribution to Collective Impact, this space provides the professional infrastructure for in-depth technical dialogue and strategic hiring. By bridging the gap between corporate vision and technical execution, we ensure that both organizations and talent find the alignment necessary for long-term success in the Japanese and global markets.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Language: English & Japanese
Session Description:
Opening Address – Tokyo’s Vision for a Global Innovation Hub We are honored to welcome a representative from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) to provide an opening address. As a cornerstone partner of the Global Gathering 2026, TMG will share insights into Tokyo’s strategic initiatives to foster a “Global Innovation City.” This session will highlight the government’s commitment to supporting international founders and creating a seamless “soft-landing” environment for high-impact startups entering the Japanese market.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Language: English
Session Description:
Designing the Innovation Stack for Global Impact
In an era where innovation knows no borders, the most transformative breakthroughs emerge when bold ideas are supported by well-designed innovation ecosystems that connect people, resources, and opportunity at the right moments. Join Tim Rowe, Founder of CIC & Venture Café, alongside Muji Ahmedi of ARIA and Joanna Gruau of Station F, for a forward-looking conversation on how to intentionally design environments that move innovation from ambition to impact.
Tim will draw on Venture Café and CIC’s global experience activating open, inclusive innovation communities that lower barriers, spark serendipity, and accelerate collaboration across sectors. Muji will share insights from ARIA, the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency, where small, empowered teams and carefully curated networks of researchers, operators, and partners are designed to tackle high-risk, high-reward challenges that traditional systems struggle to address. Joanna will bring lessons from Station F, Europe's largest startup campus, on how density, program design, and international partnerships help founders rapidly test, grow, and scale companies into global markets.
Together, the speakers will explore how ecosystem architecture, operational models, and community dynamics intersect – and why innovation communities are often the connective tissue that turns breakthrough ideas into real-world outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- What “Ecosystem Design” Looks Like in Practice: Learn how CIC, ARIA, and Station F intentionally structure space, programs, and incentives to support different stages of innovation – from early experimentation to global scale.
- How Mission-Driven Networks Enable Breakthrough Science: Understand how ARIA builds focused, time-bound communities around ambitious missions, empowering Programme Directors and teams with autonomy, speed, and access to the right collaborators.
- Why Density and Community Matter for Startup Growth: Gain insights from Station F on how colocating startups, corporates, investors, and global partners creates momentum, accelerates learning, and opens international pathways.
- Connecting Local Innovation to Global Impact:Explore how innovation communities rooted in place – Tokyo, Paris, London, Boston -can plug into global networks to share talent, capital, and opportunity across borders.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
Ready to find your next big mission in tech? We are starting the day with a high-energy welcome from Fabien Brogard Cipriani, Founder & CEO of HirePlanner, as he unlocks the secrets to making the most of the Global Gathering!
This session is your ultimate "How-To" for the Tech & Talent Commons at CIC Tokyo. Fabien will give you the inside scoop on the companies pitching, the best networking spots, and how to stand out in the bilingual tech scene. Whether you’re a developer, an architect, or a visionary leader, don’t miss this chance to jumpstart a day of discovery and growth. Your future starts here, let’s kick things off!
日本語
テック業界における無限のチャンスに満ちたエキサイティングな一日に、皆さまにご参加いただけることを大変嬉しく思います。このオープニング・セッションは、情熱的なプロフェッショナルと先進的な企業をつなぐ旅の始まりです。
このセッションでは、HirePlannerの創設者兼CEOであるFabien Brogard Ciprianiが、当日のイベントの概要を説明し、キャリアフェアをナビゲートする方法を共有し、主要なセッションとネットワーキングの機会を紹介します。新たなキャリアパスを模索するため、あるいは次の優秀な人材に出会うため、イノベーション、コラボレーション、成長の世界に飛び込むチャンスです。
共につながり、探求し、テックの未来を発見することで、スタートを切りましょう。
Session Speaker(s):
- Fabien Brogard Cipriani, Founder & CEO, Hireplanner.com
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Venture Café Fukuoka
Language: English
Session Description:
What happens when a city center becomes a campus?
In the heart of Fukuoka, the ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. stands alongside an intersection as more than a landmark. It is a new gravity field where enterprises, academia, investors, government and entrepreneurs collide.
Through the lens of an academic framework, we explore how this unique collaboration design embodies a true “Knowledge Co-creation Space.”
Join Fukuoka’s top innovation catalysts as we decode the blueprint that defines the future of our district to connect your dreams.
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: BCC, MAFF, CIC
Language: English
Session Description:
This panel explores how a multidisciplinary mix of policy, science, deep tech, and gastronomy is shaping the future of food. The conversation will look at how innovation can advance health, well-being, and sustainability while protecting what truly matters: food as a delicious, joyful, and deeply human experience. From cutting-edge technologies to cultural traditions and shared tables, the session asks how we can build food systems that are smarter and more resilient, without losing the pleasure, meaning, and community that make eating one of our most powerful social acts.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Social Innovation Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
We are honored to launch the Glass Rock venue with an opening session led by Robin Lewis, Co-founder of Social Innovation Japan. This plenary serves as the strategic orientation for our "Social Innovation & Global Impact Commons." Robin will frame the day’s dialogue around the concept of "Common Agendas"—the critical issues that intersect at both the local and global levels. This session is designed for policymakers, corporate CSR leads, and social entrepreneurs who are dedicated to the methodology of Collective Impact. Attendees will gain insights into how we can move beyond individual initiatives toward high-level partnerships that prioritize systemic change and sustainable food systems.
Session Speaker(s):
- Robin Lewis, Co-Founder at Social Innovation Japan
- Seira Yun, Founder at Socious
- Representative at Glass Rock
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo - American Room
Session Organizer: CIC Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
TBA
Session Speaker(s):
- TBA
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
The solution architect of the future” – Skills solution specialists and sales engineers will need in 2026 and beyond
As AI, cloud, and hybrid environments continue to reshape technology landscapes, the role of the solution architect is evolving faster than ever. This session explores what it truly means to be a solution architect in 2026 and beyond—where technical excellence must be combined with collaboration, customer-centric thinking, and strong decision-making skills.
Through real-world digital transformation case studies, we will examine how solution architects are navigating growing system complexity, shifting from technology-driven designs to architectures rooted in customer value and business outcomes. The discussion will also highlight why AI literacy is becoming essential, and how generative AI and automation can support better design choices, faster execution, and more informed decisions.
Designed for architects, senior engineers, and technology leaders, this session offers practical insights and a forward-looking perspective on the skills and mindset needed to stay relevant in the years ahead.
日本語
未来のソリューションアーキテクト
ー 2026年以降、ソリューションスペシャリスト／セールスエンジニアに求められるスキルとはー
AI、クラウド、ハイブリッド環境がテクノロジーの姿を大きく変え続ける中で、ソリューションアーキテクトの役割はこれまでになく急速に進化しています。本セッションでは、2026年以降においてソリューションアーキテクトであるとはどういうことかを掘り下げ、技術力に加えて、コラボレーション力、顧客中心の思考、そして的確な意思決定力がいかに重要になるかを探ります。
実際のデジタルトランスフォーメーション事例を通じて、ソリューションアーキテクトが増大するシステムの複雑性にどのように向き合い、技術主導の設計から顧客価値やビジネス成果を軸としたアーキテクチャへと移行しているのかを考察します。また、AIリテラシーがなぜ今後不可欠となるのか、そして生成AIや自動化が、より良い設計判断、迅速な実行、そして質の高い意思決定をどのように支援するのかについても取り上げます。
本セッションは、ソリューションアーキテクト、シニアエンジニア、テクノロジーリーダーを対象に、これからの時代に求められるスキルやマインドセットについて、実践的な示唆と将来を見据えた視点を提供します。
Session Speaker(s):
- Fabien Brogard Cipriani, Founder & CEO at Hireplanner.com
- Shingo Kitayama, Principal Solution Architect at RedHat
- Leo Linder at Emerge AI
- Atsuya Yamakawa at Workato
- … and More
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Glass Rock x Social Innovation Japan x Socious
Language: 日英 | English & Japanese
Session Description:
[ENG] 日本語が下に続きます
During the Venture Café Global Gathering, Glass Rock will serve as the Collective Impact Lab, providing a unique opportunity to explore local and global common agendas through the exchange of perspectives between Japan-based practitioners and international participants.
In this workshop-style session, participants will explore how to build sustainable and resilient cities through disaster preparedness, circular ecosystems, inclusion, and accessibility.
RUN ORDER
– Introduction (5 min)
– Agenda Pitches (15 min)
*Stories shared by subject-matter experts
– Group Discussions (40 min)
*Participants divided into English- and Japanese-speaking groups
– Sharing & Wrap-Up (10 min)
Speakers lineup coming soon!
[日本語]
Venture Café Global Gatheringでは、Glass Rockは日本と世界を繋ぐ「Collective Impact Lab」となります。ここでは、日本を拠点とする実践者と海外からの参加者が視点を共有・交換することで、ローカルとグローバルに共通するアジェンダを探究する貴重な機会を提供します。
ワークショップ形式の本セッションでは、防災、サーキュラーエコシステム、インクルージョン、アクセシビリティといったテーマを通じて、持続可能でレジリエントな都市のあり方を参加者とともに考えます。英語が苦手でも問題ありません。是非この機会に日本と世界の共通課題を探りましょう！
実施予定プログラム（日英バイリンガルで実施予定）
– イントロダクション（5分）
– アジェンダ・ピッチ（15分）
※各分野の実践者・専門家によるストーリー共有
– グループディスカッション（40分）
※日本語／英語の言語別グループに分かれて実施
– 共有・まとめ（10分）
登壇者は後日発表予定です。
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [ENG]
The Collective Impact Lab features a series of hands-on workshops that bring together Japan-based practitioners addressing social issues—centered around communities such as Glass Rock, Social Innovation Japan, and Socious—alongside international participants who are engaged in or exploring social impact.
Using Tokyo as a living context, participants will connect local practice with global perspectives through practitioner-led agenda pitches and bilingual group discussions across three themes: Urban Sustainability, Wellbeing in an Aging Society, and Opportunity in Contemporary Society.
Rather than prescribing solutions, the session emphasizes co-discovering Common Agendas and planting the seeds for international collective impact initiatives that can continue within existing ecosystems beyond the event.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [JPN]
Collective Impact Labでは、一連のワークショップを通じて、社会課題に取り組む日本の実践者と共に、国際的に社会的インパクトに関わる、もしくは関心を持つ参加者を結びつけます。
東京という“生きた舞台”を活用し、参加者は実践者によるアジェンダ・ピッチや、日英両言語で行うグループディスカッションを通じて、地域での実践と世界的な視点をつなげることができます。ディスカッションは都市の持続可能性（Urban Sustainability）、高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイング（Wellbeing in an Aging Society）、現代社会における新たな機会（Opportunity in Contemporary Society）という3つのテーマに沿って行われます。
本セッションでは、解決策を提示するのではなく、共通のアジェンダを共に発見すること、そしてイベント後も既存のエコシステムの中で継続可能な国際的なコレクティブ・インパクトの種をまくことに重点を置いています。
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: MassRobotics, ARIA, Robotics X Tokyo
Language: English
Global Robotics Frontiers: An Intercontinental Dialogue on Collective Impact
Session Description:
What happens when you put the world’s brightest robotics minds from the US, UK, and Japan on one stage? You get a masterclass in the future of technology. Join us for an exhilarating deep-dive into the world of robots, featuring Mike Sudano (WOVEN by Toyota), Jenny Read (ARIA), and Russell Nickerson (MassRobotics). We’re exploring everything from the robots that will run our future cities to the breakthrough research changing the game in Europe and the startup ecosystems exploding in North America. If you want to see how “Collective Impact” is literally being built in real-time, this is the session for you!
Session Speaker(s):
- Jenny Read, Programme Director at ARIA
- Mike Sudano, Senior Robotics Operations Engineer at WOVEN by Toyota
- Russell Nickerson, Engagement Liaison at MassRobotics
- Tetsuya Ogata, Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering at Waseda University
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Venture Café Global Institute
Language: English
Welcome to the Venture Café Global Gathering, where innovation ecosystem leaders from cities around the world come together in Tokyo to share lessons from building and sustaining vibrant entrepreneurial communities.
What began in Boston in 2009 has grown into a global network that has activated over 24 cities and counting, engaging more than 850,000 innovators, entrepreneurs, and community builders. At the core of this network are local leaders who design inclusive spaces, convene diverse stakeholders, and strengthen innovation ecosystems in their cities while remaining deeply connected globally.
In this session, Venture Café Directors and partners will share real-world case studies and personal stories from their local ecosystems, illustrating how community-led innovation not only strengthens cities, but also meaningfully impacts individual lives. These stories highlight founders who found their first collaborators, researchers who discovered new pathways, and community members who unlocked opportunities through connection.
What you will learn
- How strong innovation ecosystems are built by prioritizing community, trust, and consistent convening before infrastructure or scale
- How a shared global framework enables local ownership, allowing each city to adapt innovation practices to its unique context
- Why inclusion across sectors, founders, researchers, corporates, and creatives strengthens ecosystem resilience and impact
- How consistency and long-term commitment build credibility and momentum within local innovation communities
- How cities learn faster and grow stronger by sharing lessons, models, and connections across a global network
- How intentional community building can lead to tangible, life-changing outcomes for individuals within innovation ecosystems
Join us for an engaging, cross-city conversation on community-led ecosystem building. Learn how to engage with Venture Café chapters around the world and apply these global lessons to spark new partnerships, opportunities, and ideas in your own ecosystem.
Speaker:
- Alejandra Buendia ｜ Director −Venture Café Monterrey
- Alex Cheung ｜ Director −Venture Café Cambridge
- Andrew Ruffler ｜ Director −Venture Café Manchester
- Claudia Cavalluzzo ｜ Director −Venture Café Edinburgh
- Dominika Duda ｜ Program Director −Venture Café Warsaw
- Ewa Geresz ｜ Director −Venture Café Berlin
- Liam Ward ｜ Director −Venture Café London
- Sarah Waschler ｜ Experience and Event Manager – Venture Café Phoenix
- Ryusuke Komura ｜ Exective Director −Venture Café Tokyo
Moderator:
- Nathan Plummer, General Manager, Venture Café Global Institute
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Disrupting Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
As the global AI narrative moves beyond generative models toward embodied intelligence, Japan stands at a critical strategic crossroads.
Join Tim Romero (Disrupting Japan), Chiamin Lai (Managing Partner, Firstlight Capital) and Kaname Hayashi (CEO, Groove X) for a high-level examination of why Japan is uniquely positioned to lead the “Physical AI” epoch. Drawing from their analysis of Japan’s labor demographics and industrial assets, they will discuss the convergence of high-precision hardware with autonomous software systems.
This session explores the shifting competitive landscape between the US, China, and Japan, offering a strategic outlook on how Japan can leverage its “on-site” technological legacy to solve the world’s most pressing structural challenges.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Hualien Venture Studio
Language: English
Session Description:
How can local food culture become a platform for innovation that improves human wellbeing, strengthens farm-to-table economies, and reduces environmental impact? This panel brings together health, hospitality, venture building, and culinary ecosystem leaders to share pilots and partnership models turning gastronomy travel into measurable outcomes for people and resilient food systems.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer:
Language: English
Session Description:
Are you on a mission to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world impact?
This session brings together perspectives from Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F), Renaissance Philanthropy (RenPhil), SRI International and RI Bio, exploring how cutting-edge scientific research can move beyond discovery to create real-world impact.
Through discussions that bridge science and business, as well as academia and startups, the session will examine how globally connected ecosystems and cross-sector collaboration can support the translation of research into innovation and societal value—aligned with the broader vision of the Global Startup Campus Initiative led by the Cabinet Office.
Join us to be part of a global collective dedicated to driving positive change through the power of science and innovation.
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Venture Café Global Institute
Language: English
In this session, the following 4 companies will take the stage to present on the cutting edge of social transformation enabled by AI and data technologies.
- eftax Co., Ltd.
- Digirow Inc.
- Asilla
- Green AI Co., Ltd.
Healthcare, Food Diversity, Security, and environment & sustainability while each company tackles a distinct domain, they share a common goal: using technology to eliminate inefficiencies and dependency on individuals within social infrastructure and business operations, creating more sustainable and reliable systems.
AI is no longer merely an efficiency tool; it is becoming a force that enhances decision-making quality and accelerates solutions to societal challenges. This session will unravel how AI is taking root in the field and generating value, through concrete use cases and real-world implementation stories from each company.
What is the next standard emerging across industries and domains?
This thought-provoking session explores the current state and future of AI×social implementation.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: Japanese/日本語
Session Description:
エンジニアはいかにAIとデータをビジネス成長につなげるのか？
― 行動から成果へ：成功するイノベーターからの知見 ―
エンジニアがAIやデータをどのように“行動”へ落とし込み、ビジネス成長につなげていくのかをテーマに議論します。
一問一答形式ではなく、登壇者同士の対話を通じて、実際の取り組みや具体的な事例を交えながら、現場での意思決定や考え方を共有していきます。
AI・データ活用に取り組むエンジニアや、現場をリードする立場の方が、次のアクションを考えるきっかけやヒントとなるセッションです。
ENG：
The solution architect of the future” – Skills solution specialists and sales engineers will need in 2026 and beyond
This session explores how engineers can turn AI and data into action and connect them to real business growth.
Rather than a simple Q&A format, the discussion will be driven by dialogue among the speakers, incorporating real initiatives and concrete examples to share practical perspectives on decision-making in the field.
It is designed for engineers working with AI and data, as well as those leading teams on the ground, to provide insights and inspiration for their next actions.
Session Speaker(s):
- Masatoshi Tanaka | Senior Architect, Consulting Services Department at Red Hat
- Katsutoshi Kojima at IBM
- … and more
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Glass Rock x Social Innovation Japan x Socious
Language: 日英 | English & Japanese
[ENG] 日本語が下に続きます
During the Venture Café Global Gathering, Glass Rock will serve as the Collective Impact Lab, providing a unique opportunity to explore local and global common agendas through the exchange of perspectives between Japan-based practitioners and international participants.
In this workshop-style session, participants will explore wellbeing in an aging society, a social challenge Japan is among the first to face, through healthcare and medical innovation.
RUN ORDER
– Introduction (5 min)
– Agenda Pitches (15 min)
*Stories shared by subject-matter experts
– Group Discussions (40 min)
*Participants divided into English- and Japanese-speaking groups
– Sharing & Wrap-Up (10 min)
Speakers lineup coming soon!
[日本語]
Venture Café Global Gatheringでは、Glass Rockは日本と世界を繋ぐ「Collective Impact Lab」となります。ここでは、日本を拠点とする実践者と海外からの参加者が視点を共有・交換することで、ローカルとグローバルに共通するアジェンダを探究する貴重な機会を提供します。
高齢化という課題は、日本が世界に先駆けて直面している社会課題のひとつです。ワークショップ形式の本セッションでは、参加者は高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイングを、医療・ヘルスケアのイノベーションを通じて探究します。英語が苦手でも問題ありません。是非この機会に日本と世界の共通課題を探りましょう！
実施予定プログラム（日英バイリンガルで実施予定）
– イントロダクション（5分）
– アジェンダ・ピッチ（15分）
※各分野の実践者・専門家によるストーリー共有
– グループディスカッション（40分）
※日本語／英語の言語別グループに分かれて実施
– 共有・まとめ（10分）
登壇者は後日発表予定です。
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [ENG]
The Collective Impact Lab features a series of hands-on workshops that bring together Japan-based practitioners addressing social issues—centered around communities such as Glass Rock, Social Innovation Japan, and Socious—alongside international participants who are engaged in or exploring social impact.
Using Tokyo as a living context, participants will connect local practice with global perspectives through practitioner-led agenda pitches and bilingual group discussions across three themes: Urban Sustainability, Wellbeing in an Aging Society, and Opportunity in Contemporary Society.
Rather than prescribing solutions, the session emphasizes co-discovering Common Agendas and planting the seeds for international collective impact initiatives that can continue within existing ecosystems beyond the event.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [日本語]
Collective Impact Labでは、一連のワークショップを通じて、社会課題に取り組む日本の実践者と共に、国際的に社会的インパクトに関わる、もしくは関心を持つ参加者を結びつけます。
東京という“生きた舞台”を活用し、参加者は実践者によるアジェンダ・ピッチや、日英両言語で行うグループディスカッションを通じて、地域での実践と世界的な視点をつなげることができます。ディスカッションは都市の持続可能性（Urban Sustainability）、高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイング（Wellbeing in an Aging Society）、現代社会における新たな機会（Opportunity in Contemporary Society）という3つのテーマに沿って行われます。
本セッションでは、解決策を提示するのではなく、共通のアジェンダを共に発見すること、そしてイベント後も既存のエコシステムの中で継続可能な国際的なコレクティブ・インパクトの種をまくことに重点を置いています。
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Startup Lady
Language: English
Session Description:
Startup Lady connects women entrepreneurs and women leaders in Japan and around the world, working closely with government bodies, corporations, and startups to create environments where people can challenge themselves beyond borders.
In this session, we will share:
– The leadership skills and mindset required of women leaders in the next generation Cross-border initiatives and practices implemented by Startup Lady
– The potential of collaboration between government and global ecosystems
Through concrete examples, we will discuss not only theory but also the real challenges and opportunities observed through hands-on experience. This session will offer insights into the future of cross-border business and the evolving role of women leaders in a global context.
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: CIC Japan Desk x JETRO
Language: English
Session Description:
Hear from founders who have navigated international market entry through JETRO’s global programs, sharing authentic stories of both successes and setbacks from their expansion journeys.
This panel explores the real challenges, failures, and breakthrough moments of cross-border growth from building cross-cultural teams and adapting business models to leveraging ecosystem support. Whether you’re planning international expansion or supporting global innovators, walk away with honest insights from entrepreneurs who’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t) in new markets.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
This is the moment we’ve been building toward! Join us for an electric countdown as we prepare to crown the next global innovation champion. We’ll introduce the “All-Star” judging panel, reveal the 18 cities represented on stage, and get the crowd ready for the highest-stakes pitch event in Tokyo. From the flow of the lightning rounds to the criteria that will determine the winner, we’re setting the fuse for an afternoon of disruptive ideas and global breakthroughs. The countdown ends here, don’t miss the spark that starts the showdown!
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: TOKYO GLOBAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE (TGIC)
Language: English
Session Description:
Before the global spotlight turns to Pitch2Tokyo, we begin with a special showcase from Japan’s university startup ecosystem.
Taking the stage is the winner of a national university-level startup pitch competition: TOKYO GLOBAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE（TGIC), a team representing the next generation of entrepreneurial talent emerging from campuses across Japan. Built on curiosity, ambition, and the courage to take ideas beyond the classroom, this startup reflects the growing role of universities as engines of innovation and real-world impact.
This moment celebrates the journey from student-led idea to global-stage opportunity, and highlights how Japan’s universities are cultivating founders ready to engage with the world.
As a warm-up to Pitch2Tokyo, this showcase sets the tone for what’s ahead: bold thinking, fresh perspectives, and founders prepared to turn possibility into action on a global scale.
Company:
- Hey Ho
In recent years, “time poverty” has emerged as a growing social issue. As our lives become increasingly complex, many people constantly feel they “don’t have enough time,” often missing moments that truly matter. Hey-Ho is a C2C platform that connects those who want to help with those who need support, while ensuring trust through mutual identity verification and community-based evaluations. By sharing everyday burdens, Hey-Ho aims to create communities where saying “Can you help me for a moment?” feels natural and welcomed.
近年、「時間貧困」という社会問題が拡大しています。私たちの生活がより複雑化する中で、多くの人が常に「時間がない」と感じ、本来大切にしたかった瞬間を逃してきたのではないでしょうか。Hey-Hoは、「助けたい人」と「助けを必要とする人」を、相互の本人確認とコミュニティ評価によって信頼性を担保しながらつなぐC2Cプラットフォームです。日常の負担を分かち合い、「ちょっと助けて」が当たり前に言える街へ。
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: Universal Studios Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
Universal Studio Japan's Journey toward becoming the world's No.1 theme park | DX: Designing and Implementing Seamless Online–Offline Integration
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) takes on the digital transformation of theme parks.
Explore how USJ designs and connects systems, data, and on-site operations in a real, high-traffic environment
This session will highlight the realities behind creating frictionless guest experiences, promoting in-house development, building global co-creation frameworks, and delivering hands-on, tangible development in practice.
日本語：
USJが挑む世界No.1への道 – オンラインとオフラインをつなぐ設計と実装
ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン（USJ）が挑むテーマパークのDX。リアルで高トラフィックな空間、システム・データ・現場運用をどう設計し、どう “つなぐ” のか。
フリクションレスなゲスト体験、内製化の推進、グローバルの共創体制、そして“手触り感”のある開発のリアルに迫ります。
Session Speaker(s):
- Yukihiko Shimamura at USJ LLC
- Tetsuya Takahashi, Digital Technology Vice President at USJ LLC
- Yuuka Motobayashi, Digital & Technology, PMO Lead & Program Manager
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English & Japanese | 日英
Session Description:
This event features a dynamic pitch session where companies take the stage for rapid 5-minute pitches to introduce their business, share current career opportunities, and highlight what makes working with them unique. It’s a fast-paced way to discover who’s hiring and what they’re building.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and engage directly with hiring stakeholders and decision-makers from tech companies and global brands actively seeking tech professionals. While not all participating companies are technology companies, every organization is looking to hire tech talent and the innovators shaping the future.
日本語
本イベントでは、企業が登壇し、5分間のショートピッチを通じて自社の事業内容や現在の採用ポジション、そして働く魅力を紹介します。テンポよく進むセッションの中で、「どの企業が採用しているのか」「何を生み出しているのか」を効率的に知ることができます。
参加者は、テック企業やグローバルブランドで採用を担当するキーパーソンや意思決定者と直接交流できる貴重な機会を得られます。参加企業のすべてがテック企業というわけではありませんが、いずれの企業もテック人材、そして次世代のイノベーターを求めています。
Session Speaker(s):
- Fabien Brogard Cipriani, CEO at Hireplanner.com
- … and More
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
MEET THE 2026 COHORT: https://venturecafeglobal.org/global-gathering-2026/pitch2tokyo-2026-finalists/
18 Cities. 18 Founders. One Global Winner. The road to Tokyo has been long, but the destination is finally here. We’ve scoured the Venture Café global network to find the most audacious founders building for the future, and on February 19th, the “Final 18” take the main stage. This is #Pitch2Tokyo: where global winners from Tokyo, Cambridge, Warsaw, Phoenix, London and beyond collide for the chance to scale their business globally from Japan. No fluff, just high-growth startups pitching to a panel of distinguished judges.
Pitch2Tokyo General Overview:
4:50pm - Welcome and Judge Introduction(s)
5:00pm - Tokyo Global Innovation Challenge University Pitch Winner - Hey Ho
5:05pm - Pitch2Tokyo Group 1
5:58pm - Pitch2Tokyo Group 2
6:51pm - Pitch2Tokyo Group 3
7:40pm - Judge Time**
**Sessions will be going taking place during this time
8:30pm - Pitch2Tokyo Winner Announcement
Pitch2Tokyo Run-Order:
Block 1 – ACCESSIBILITY
5:05pm: Precious Adeyemi - Beeva AI (Berlin)
5:11pm: Ayan Sakenov - LOOQ (Yokohama)
5:17pm: Hyeongseok Jeon - Morai (Seoul)
5:23pm: Shota Imamura - Nefront (Tokyo)
5:29pm: Travis Ralph-Donaldson - Niter Ltd (Speech Labs) (Manchester)
5:35pm: Jeremy Chow - Tactus (Cambridge)
Followed by 12 minutes of Q&A
Block 2 – SUSTAINABILITY
5:58pm: Ryo Sasamoto - AirMembrane (Tsukuba)
6:04pm: Anaut Patterson Mendiola - Blue Reef Algae (San Sebastian)
6:10pm: Xiaoyan Ma - Danu Robotics Ltd (Edinburgh)
6:16pm: Monika Radomska - EcoBean (Warsaw)
6:22pm: Dennis Ilic - eMotion Fleet (Fukuoka)
6:28pm: Seishiro Tsukuda - Wada Food Tech (Osaka)
Followed by 12 minutes of Q&A
Block 3 – WELL-BEING
6:51pm: Yasmin Baba - Amilis (London)
6:57pm: Bianca Wang - Earthling BioMed (Hualien)
7:03pm: Kira Burns - Gravitrex (Phoenix)
7:09pm: Yo Amakusa - iBody (Nagoya)
7:15pm: Keisuke Ito - nonat (Gifu)
7:21pm: Dan Cabral - XiA'H (Monterrey)
Followed by 12 minutes of Q&A
JUDGES for Pitch2Tokyo 2026
Takaaki Umezawa, Japan Chairperson at Cambridge Innovation Center
Chase Changhee Seon, Co-Founder at umoh.io
Daiki Sato, Partner at KPMG Japan
Keiichiro Nishi, Senior Vice President at Fujitsu
Mikiya Endo, Principal at D4V
Ryan Nakata, General Manager at Alumni Ventures
Schyler Alexandra Cole, Entrepreneur in Residence at Value Create Ventures
Taisuke "Alex" Odajima, CEO at EDGEof INNOVATION LLC
Will Horyn, Principal at Geodesic Capital
Yu Li Shein, Director, Founders Institute Japan
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Cambridge Innovation Center
Language: English
As global knowledge and trade flows are being reshaped, maintaining an innovation edge increasingly depends on strong, trusted links between like-minded ecosystems.
This panel explores how Japan and Europe can deepen cross-border collaboration by connecting science-driven innovation hubs and translating research excellence into shared economic and societal value. The discussion will highlight priority areas of Europe for cooperation with Japan, from advanced technologies to applied research and industrial innovation, and examine how aligned values, open exchange, and long-term partnerships can strengthen resilience, competitiveness, and leadership in a rapidly evolving global innovation landscape.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Reinventing the Giants: How Japan’s Leading Corporations Are Transforming Legacy into Innovation
Session Description:
Innovation is no longer the domain of startups alone. In this session, we explore how Japanese corporate giants such as Toyota and Fujitsu are reinventing themselves for a new era of innovation.
Through initiatives like Toyota’s Woven City, a real-world living laboratory, and Fujitsu’s Uvance Innovation Studio, an open collaboration hub connecting corporations with startups and partners, these companies demonstrate how legacy organizations can adapt, experiment, and co-create in a rapidly changing environment.
Drawing on tangible, ongoing case studies, the session will examine how Japan’s traditionally closed, internal development culture is shifting toward more open, experimental, and collaborative innovation models. Participants will gain practical insights into corporate transformation, open innovation, and real-world experimentation and how these approaches help long-established companies remain competitive and future-ready.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Glass Rock
Session Organizer: Glass Rock x Social Innovation Japan x Socious
Language: 日英 | English & Japanese
Session Description:
[ENG] 日本語が下に続きます
During the Venture Café Global Gathering, Glass Rock will serve as the Collective Impact Lab, providing a unique opportunity to explore local and global common agendas through the exchange of perspectives between Japan-based practitioners and international participants.
In this workshop-style session, participants will explore how AI and emerging technologies can be leveraged to promote accessibility, cultural diversity, and gender equality. They will apply these tools to build inclusive and equitable societies in a globalizing world.
RUN ORDER
– Introduction (5 min)
– Agenda Pitches (15 min)
*Stories shared by subject-matter experts
– Group Discussions (40 min)
*Participants divided into English- and Japanese-speaking groups
– Sharing & Wrap-Up (10 min)
Speakers lineup coming soon!
[日本語]
Venture Café Global Gatheringでは、Glass Rockは日本と世界を繋ぐ「Collective Impact Lab」となります。ここでは、日本を拠点とする実践者と海外からの参加者が視点を共有・交換することで、ローカルとグローバルに共通するアジェンダを探究する貴重な機会を提供します。
本ワークショップ形式のセッションでは、参加者はアクセシビリティ、多文化共生、ジェンダー平等の推進に取り組むために、どのようにAIや最先端技術を活用できるかを模索し、グローバル化する世界で包摂的かつ公平な社会の構築を目指します。
実施予定プログラム（日英バイリンガルで実施予定）
– イントロダクション（5分）
– アジェンダ・ピッチ（15分）
※各分野の実践者・専門家によるストーリー共有
– グループディスカッション（40分）
※日本語／英語の言語別グループに分かれて実施
– 共有・まとめ（10分）
登壇者は後日発表予定です。
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [ENG]
The Collective Impact Lab features a series of hands-on workshops that bring together Japan-based practitioners addressing social issues—centered around communities such as Glass Rock, Social Innovation Japan, and Socious—alongside international participants who are engaged in or exploring social impact.
Using Tokyo as a living context, participants will connect local practice with global perspectives through practitioner-led agenda pitches and bilingual group discussions across three themes: Urban Sustainability, Wellbeing in an Aging Society, and Opportunity in Contemporary Society.
Rather than prescribing solutions, the session emphasizes co-discovering Common Agendas and planting the seeds for international collective impact initiatives that can continue within existing ecosystems beyond the event.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT LAB [JPN]
Collective Impact Labでは、一連のワークショップを通じて、社会課題に取り組む日本の実践者と共に、国際的に社会的インパクトに関わる、もしくは関心を持つ参加者を結びつけます。
東京という“生きた舞台”を活用し、参加者は実践者によるアジェンダ・ピッチや、日英両言語で行うグループディスカッションを通じて、地域での実践と世界的な視点をつなげることができます。ディスカッションは都市の持続可能性（Urban Sustainability）、高齢化社会におけるウェルビーイング（Wellbeing in an Aging Society）、現代社会における新たな機会（Opportunity in Contemporary Society）という3つのテーマに沿って行われます。
本セッションでは、解決策を提示するのではなく、共通のアジェンダを共に発見すること、そしてイベント後も既存のエコシステムの中で継続可能な国際的なコレクティブ・インパクトの種をまくことに重点を置いています。
Session Speaker(s):
- TBA
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: Skillhouse
Language: English
Session Description:
どれほど高いスキルを持つITプロフェッショナルでも、面接に進めないケースは少なくありません。その原因は、スキル不足ではなく、外資系・グローバル企業が求める視点で、自分の価値を履歴書に落とし込めていないことにあります。
本セッションは、日本人ITエンジニアを対象に、履歴書を「面接につながる武器」へと変えるための実践的なコーチングセッションです。外資系・グローバル企業への応募で実際に何が評価されるのかを解説し、成功事例に基づくベストプラクティス、よくある失敗、そして効果が実証されている戦略を共有します。
国際企業の採用担当が履歴書をどのようにチェックしているのか、最初の数秒で何を見ているのか、そして単なる職務内容の羅列ではなく、スキル・成果・ビジネスへの貢献度をどのように伝えるべきかを学びます。エンジニアの専門領域を問わず、すぐに実践できる具体的なアドバイスにフォーカスした内容です。
優れたIT人材が、必ずしも正当に評価されるとは限りません。しかし、このセッションがその状況を変えるきっかけになります。このコーチングセッションを通じて、自分の強みを効果的に伝えられるようになり、面接機会を増やし、グローバルな採用市場で自信を持って挑めるようになります。
ENG:
3 Seconds to Pass or Fail : How to Write a Resume That Wins Interviews at Gaishikei & Global Tech Companies
Event the most skilled IT professionals struggle to get interviews — not because they lack expertise, but because their resumes fail to communicate their value in a way global and gaishikei companies expect.
This practical coaching session is designed to help Japanese IT professionals transform their resumes into interview-winning tools. We will break down what actually works when applying to gaishikei and global brands, sharing real-world best practices, common mistakes, and proven strategies used by successful candidates.
You will learn how recruiters at international companies review resumes, what they look for in the first few seconds, and how to clearly sell your skills, achievements, and impact — not just list responsibilities. The session focuses on actionable guidance you can apply immediately, regardless of your technical specialization.
The best IT experts don’t always get the job — but that’s about to change. This coaching event will help you position yourself effectively, increase your interview opportunities, and compete with confidence in the global job market.
Session Speaker(s):
- TBA
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Founders Institute
Language: English
Session Description:
Raising capital in Japan as a foreign founder is very different from fundraising in the US or Southeast Asia. Beyond traction and pitch decks, Japanese investors place strong emphasis on trust, long-term vision, local credibility, and founder commitment. Many great startups struggle simply because they don’t understand how investment decisions are actually made in Japan.
This session breaks down how foreign founders can successfully raise investment in Japan — what Japanese VCs and angels look for, common mistakes to avoid, and practical ways to position your startup for the Japanese market. You’ll walk away with clear, actionable insights to build relationships, credibility, and real momentum in Japan’s startup ecosystem.
日程：February 19, 2026
会場：Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
主催： KPMG
言語：日本語
セッション概要:
ディープテック・スタートアップのためのグローバル成長戦略
― UKに見るイノベーション・エコシステム ―
スタートアップが大きく成長するためには海外展開を見据えた事業展開が必要となります。英国におけるエコシステムや投資トレンドも踏まえて、日本から世界を目指すために必要なものを議論いたします。
[ENG]
Global Growth Strategies for Deep Tech Startups
— Insights from the UK Innovation Ecosystem —
For startups to reach their full potential, a business strategy built for international expansion is nonnegotiable. This session dives into the essential requirements for taking Japanese innovation to the world stage. By analyzing the current startup ecosystem and investment trends within the United Kingdom, we will discuss exactly what it takes to succeed in the global arena.
Speaker:
- 駐日英国大使館 德永 蛍（British Embassy Tokyo, Tokunaga hotaru）
- IQ Capital Ventur ベンチャーパートナー 上前田 直樹（IQ Capital Venture Partner, Kamimaeda Naoki）
- 京都大学イノベーションキャピタル 代表取締役社長 楠美 公（Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co.,Ltd., Kusumi ko）
- 有限責任 あずさ監査法人 常務執行役員 阿部 博（KPMG AZSA LLC Executive Officer, Partner, Abe Hiroshi）
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: English
Session Description:
How to Adapt Your Cybersecurity Strategy in the Age of AI – Strategy Tips for Companies of All Sizes – From Startups to Large Enterprises
As AI rapidly transforms how organizations build and scale technology, it is also reshaping the cybersecurity threat landscape. This session explores how companies of all sizes—from startups to large enterprises—can adapt their cybersecurity strategies to stay resilient in the age of AI.
Through practical insights and real-work experiences, we will discuss how AI impacts both attacks and defenses, what risks organizations should prioritize today, and how to design a security strategy that scales with growth. Whether you’re building from scratch or evolving an existing security framework, this session offers actionable guidance to help you make smarter, future-ready security decisions.
日本語:
AI時代にどうサイバーセキュリティ戦略を進化させるか― スタートアップから大企業まで、あらゆる規模の企業向け戦略のヒント ―
AIの急速な進化は、企業がテクノロジーを構築・拡張する方法を大きく変えると同時に、サイバーセキュリティの脅威環境そのものを再定義しています。本セッションでは、スタートアップから大企業まで、あらゆる規模の企業が「AI時代」においてどのようにサイバーセキュリティ戦略を適応・強化していくべきかを探ります。
実践的な知見や実際の現場経験をもとに、AIが攻撃と防御の両面にどのような影響を与えているのか、今優先的に取り組むべきリスクは何か、そして企業の成長に合わせて拡張可能なセキュリティ戦略をどのように設計すべきかを議論します。ゼロから体制を構築する企業にも、既存のセキュリティフレームワークを進化させたい企業にも、将来を見据えた、より賢いセキュリティ意思決定につながる具体的なヒントを提供します。
Session Speaker(s):
- Evangeline Chong, Account Executive at Skillhouse Staffing Solutions K.K.
- Sachiko Hasumi, Director of Cybersecurity at Starbucks
- Lalatiana Todic, Head of security at Bayer
- Yu Nakamura, Independant at Security Consultant
- Luke Chatelain, Cybersecurity Manager at Rakuten
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Session Organizer: Business in Japan
Language: English
Session Description:
Collaborating With Japan: Decision Making, Trust, and Partners
Japan can be a strong market, but the way decisions move and trust is built can surprise global teams. This panel shares what works – and what fails – when you localize, choose partners, and work with customers and corporates in Japan.
“Collective Impact” is the Global Gathering theme. In Japan, impact often starts with collaboration: you rarely move fast alone. Progress depends on how well you work with customers, local partners, and trusted advisors, and how well you adapt to local context without losing your core value.
In this 40-minute panel hosted by Jason Ball (Business In Japan), speakers from product, design, marketing, and cross-border startup support compare notes from both the global and local side. We will discuss what outsiders often misunderstand about Japan decision making, how trust and relationships are evaluated, the value of local partners (access, context, and credibility), and how to work with corporates without becoming “just the product” – including when it is smarter to pause or walk away. Expect practical patterns and real examples, not big claims.
TAKEAWAYS (4)
- How Japan decision making often works in practice, and what global teams misread
- What “trust” looks like on the ground, and how it is built (or lost)
- Why local partners matter – and how to set expectations and work well together
- How to collaborate with big corporates while protecting value, including exit signals when it is not working
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: CIC Catalyst
Language: English
Session Description:
Panel: Superintelligence × New Energy: The Cognitive Powerhouse Recharging Mobility’s Future
What happens when mobility is no longer constrained by today’s intelligence or energy systems? In this global conversation, we explore how superintelligent AI, fusion energy, solid-state batteries, and radically efficient compute could converge to redefine transportation — not incrementally, but structurally.
What we’ll explore:
- Where frontier tech becomes a future mobility narrative.
- Superintelligence in mobility: AI systems that go beyond autonomy to predict, coordinate, and orchestrate entire mobility ecosystems.
- Energy beyond the grid: fusion, next-generation power concepts, and what abundant or cheaper energy would unlock globally.
- Solid-state battery breakthroughs: higher energy density, faster charging, improved safety, and extended range at scale.
- Compute as energy infrastructure: low-power GPUs and deep chip-level AI as a hidden lever of future mobility efficiency.
- Japan’s strategic edge: materials science, precision manufacturing, and system integration as pillars of global leadership.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: Le Wagon Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
AI agents are already reshaping how teams design and launch campaigns.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to build an AI agent that can plan and run a mini marketing campaign using n8n and Slack, no technical skills needed.
Who is this event for?
This session is for you if you’re a marketer, product manager, entrepreneur, or simply curious about AI, automation, and no-code tools. All levels are welcome!
What you’ll learn
– AI agents basics and how to orchestrate them in a no-code way with n8n
– How to trigger a marketing campaign from a simple Slack message
– Starter best practices: prompts, workflows, and the essential tool checklist
– Current limitations and what to explore next
Session Speaker(s):
- Gary Yau, Teacher, Le Wagon Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – NIJI Session Room
Session Organizer: HirePlanner.com
Language: Japanese / 日本語
Session Description:
イノベーション文化で実現する、テックチームの継続的な成長
― 持続的成長を実現するテックリーダーと組織文化 ―
変化の速い開発現場で、イノベーションを生み出し続けるチームは何が違うのか。
Red Hat、Alibaba Cloud、USJ——異なるカルチャーを持つ3社のエンジニアリング／プロジェクトの現場から、意思決定の考え方、チームの動かし方、挑戦を後押しする仕組みを紐解きます。 イノベーションの裏側にある、各社のカルチャーや意思決定の背景に触れながら、日々の開発やプロジェクト推進を考えるための視点を得られるセッションです。
ENG:
Driving Continuous Innovation in Tech Teams Through a Culture of Innovation – Insights from Tech Leaders and Organizations Achieving Sustainable Growth
What sets teams that continue to innovate apart in fast-changing development environments?
Drawing from the engineering and project delivery frontlines of three organizations with very different cultures—Red Hat, Alibaba Cloud, and USJ—this session explores how decisions are made, how teams are led, and what enables people to take on new challenges. By examining the cultures and decision-making contexts behind innovation at each company, participants will gain new perspectives to reflect on their own day-to-day development and project execution.
Session Speaker(s):
- Masae KUDO at HirePlanner.com
- Yuhei Miki, Senior Director Solution Architecture Department at RedHat
- Susumi Nitsuma, Business Development Director at Alibaba
- Tetsuya Takahashi, Digital Technology Vice President at Universal Studio Japan
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
Babson College Entrepreneurship Professor Yasuhiro “Yasu” Yamakawa shares the counterintuitive mantra behind resilient innovators that “Failure is Good” when you turn it into momentum. Drawing on two decades of teaching and field research, plus his track record as Co‑founder and first Executive Director who launched Venture Café Tokyo, Yasu will show how to create cultures that normalize pre‑mortems, set acceptable loss, and cycle Act → Learn → Build → Repeat.
Come ready to reframe risk, unlock bolder experiments, and leave with practical moves your team can use the very next day!
Session Speaker(s):
- Dr. Yasuhiro Yamakawa, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College
Date: February 19, 2026
Location:Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room A
Program Partner: Osaka x Innovation Dojo x CIC
Language: English
Session Description:
When people talk about innovation in Japan, the conversation almost always gravitates toward Tokyo. Yet the Kansai region, including the designated “startup cities” of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, represents a major economy in its own right, with its own decision-makers, institutions, and ways of getting things done.
This session moves beyond high-level partnerships to examine how global innovation and cross-border programs actually operate on the ground in Kansai. Drawing on real examples, the panel will share insights from multiple execution layers, including:
- Regional innovation hubs and platforms
- City-led startup and inbound programs
- Innovation program, HR, and business development service providers
- Overseas universities that have established business development and engagement functions in Japan
The discussion is designed for both global and Japanese audiences who want a practical understanding of what is really happening in Kansai, and for those interested in connecting with the people and organisations actively making global innovation work beyond Tokyo.
Speaker:
- Joshua Flannery, Founder & CEO, Innovation Dojo Japan
- Marisa Watanabe
- Junik Bae
- Ryusuke Komura, Executive Director, Venture Café Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Breakout Room B
Session Organizer:
Language: English
Session Description:
Join us for a fireside chat exploring how technology strengthens community building and fuels innovation.
For more than 25 years, Venture Café and Cambridge Innovation Center have built powerful innovation communities around the world. This experience has shaped a deep understanding of what enables meaningful connection and long term engagement, and how technology can extend that impact.
Led by Radek Pryka, CIC’s Chief Technology Officer, and Andreas Stillman, Venture Café Global Institute’s Global Community Director, this conversation will unveil the journey behind GatherUs, a new startup technology being revealed during this session. Built from decades of hands on community building, GatherUs reflects real world lessons on how to make gatherings more welcoming, connected, and sustainable.
Together, they will explore how technology can enhance in person and hybrid experiences, transform events into ongoing communities, and help organizers focus less on administration and more on relationships.
Using their experience building GatherUs, they’ll share lessons on how to navigate technical challenges, prioritize features and functionalities for MVP, and make important technical decision.
Whether you are a founder, organizer, or community builder, this session offers practical insights and inspiration for using technology thoughtfully to cultivate belonging and lasting connection.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: CIC Tokyo – American Room
Session Organizer: CIC
Language: English
Session Description:
As startups transition from founder-led ventures to institutionalized organizations, governance becomes a critical driver of performance, resilience, and strategic coherence.
This session examines startup governance as an institutional design problem and addresses:
- How governance structures evolve across growth stages
- The relationship between governance quality and strategic execution
- Board composition, control rights, and leadership accountability
- Practical governance models for early and mid-stage startups
Led jointly by two strategy and organizational design specialists, this session integrates empirical insights with practitioner frameworks to support sustainable startup growth.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: CampusAI
Language: English
Session Description:
As AI tools rapidly reshape the workplace, a critical gap has emerged: while technology advances fast, most everyday workers are left without practical, accessible training to use AI confidently in their roles. In this session, Aureliusz Górski, Founder and CEO of CampusAI, explores why AI adoption is failing at the human level—and what organizations can do about it.
Drawing on CampusAI’s experience working with professionals across non-technical roles like marketing, HR, sales, and operations, Aureliusz will share how immersive, hands-on learning environments can turn AI from an abstract concept into a daily productivity partner. He’ll introduce a new approach to AI upskilling that combines real-world use cases, social learning, and continuous experimentation—designed specifically for people who are not engineers, but are expected to work alongside AI.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to build a Human + AI readiness culture, practical strategies for closing the AI skills gap in their organizations, and insight into why democratizing AI education is essential for the future of work.
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
The Global Gathering 2026 concludes its competitive program with the official announcement of the #Pitch2Tokyo champion. Following a rigorous evaluation by our panel of industry experts and investors, we will recognize the startup that best exemplifies the spirit of "Collective Impact" and demonstrates the highest potential for cross-border integration. This session serves as a celebration of international entrepreneurial excellence and a formal closing to the day’s main stage activities, highlighting the strategic partnership between Venture Café Global, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the international innovation community.
Session Speaker(s):
- Takaaki Umezawa, Chairman, CIC Tokyo
Date: February 19th, 2026
Session Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B – Main Room
Session Organizer: Venture Café Tokyo
Language: English
Session Description:
Don’t go anywhere! We are wrapping up an incredible day in Toranomon with a celebration you won’t want to miss. After a day of world-class pitches and deep-dives, we’re coming together for one final high-energy wrap-up. Be the first to hear the news, celebrate our community’s success, and find out what’s next for Venture Café. See you at the finish line!
Session Speaker(s):
- Ryusuke Komura, Executive Director, Venture Café Tokyo
Yo Max Amakusa – CEO, iBody Inc. Max has extensive experience in business development, and marketing gained during his tenure at Sumitomo Pharma. He later joined Ambicion, a biotech startup originating from RIKEN, where he served as an executive officer and led its business strategy. In March 2020, he was appointed CEO of iBody Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in cutting-edge monoclonal antibody discovery technology. He holds an MBA from Bond University, earned in 2016.
Dan Cabral es estudiante de Médico Cirujano en el Tec de Monterrey, con formación en biociencias y emprendimiento científico-tecnológico. Con más de cinco años de experiencia en investigación y cuatro en emprendimiento, ha liderado proyectos en biología molecular, microbiología y biotecnología. Ademas de participar en diversas iniciativas que promueven el emprendimiento científico. Es CEO y co-founder de XiA’H, startup biotecnológica que desarrolla transforma plantas en ingredientes funcionales a partir de biotecnología. XiA’H ha sido reconocida nacional e internacionalmente, encontrándose en una etapa de expansión e impacto a nivel global y siendo referente de innovación base científico-tecnológica. Dan refleja cómo la diversidad, la curiosidad y el aprendizaje continuo pueden convertirse en motores de innovación multidisciplinaria. @dan-cp en LinkedIn (: Preferred pronouns: they/them
Bing Chomprasob leads the Forum’s strategy and engagement with government, business, academia and civil society in Japan. He is responsible for advancing the Forum’s mission and strategic priorities in Japan, while shaping the country’s contributions to regional and global agendas through high-impact collaborations and multi-stakeholder initiatives. Previously, Bing Chomprasob served as Deputy Head for Regional Agenda, Asia Pacific at the World Economic Forum, where he managed the Forum’s relationships with governments and public institutions across the Asia Pacific region, including ASEAN. He also led global education and skills initiatives within the Forum’s Centre for New Economy and Society. Prior to joining the Forum, Bing Chomprasob worked with various international development organizations including USAID, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation where he focused on building public-private partnerships to address global challenges spanning education, workforce development, sustainability, and the circular economy. He holds a Master of Science degree in Urbanization and Development from the London School of Economics and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Studies from the University of California, Irvine.
Jeremy Chow is the founder of Tactus, where he has designed and developed a wearable device that translates music into vibrations, making music more inclusive and accessible for the Deaf community. What began in Boston has since grown into a global venture, with active involvement in innovation ecosystems across Tokyo and Hong Kong. His passion for sound, design, and human connection drives his mission to make sensory experiences more inclusive for everyone.
Hiyama is an Executive Officer and General Manager of the Regional Co-Creation Department at Club Tourism International Inc. Club Tourism is a travel company whose core customer base is active seniors, focusing on creating social connections and a sense of purpose through travel. Building on this expertise, Hiyama works to advance sustainable tourism destination development by harnessing the power of community collaboration.
Yukihiko Ito founded ASTERISK Inc. in New York at the age of 23, focusing on innovative real estate investment and management since 2006. Specializing in enhancing the soft values of real estate, he has catered to global investors and HNW individuals since 2008 and is a pioneer in Japan's real estate and hospitality sectors. In 2018, Ito established GOYOH Inc., a PropTech startup offering ESG real estate solutions via the 'EaSyGo' platform, focusing on creating soft value and social impact. Ito also serves on the CRREM Global Scientific & Investors Committee.
As the founder of KANAI&CO, he supports foreign entrepreneurs launching startups in Japan by bridging cultural, regulatory, and funding gaps — especially at the PMF stage.
With senior leadership experience at Goldman Sachs, Arthur Andersen, and Deloitte, and as a USCPA, he offers a unique cross-border approach to startup growth and public funding.
Key achievements include:
– ¥48M JFC loan & ¥40M subsidy for Israeli AI startup SivanS Lab
– ¥15M JFC loan & multiple grants advised for Chinese-led healthtech startup IWG Inc.
His expertise spans subsidies, loans, strategic planning, and market entry execution. He is committed to empowering global founders to succeed in Japan’s evolving startup ecosystem.
Amelia Kinooka is an English-Danish-Japanese mixed ambassador for Venture Cafe Tokyo and YOKOHAMA CONNECT, and a member of the Global Shapers Yokohama Hub. Having graduated with a bilingual diploma from the IB Program in high school, her passions include psychology, environmental science, and various DEI topics. She is currently taking a gap year and exploring internships after having been traveling around Europe for 5 months.
As the Founder and CEO of Flora, Anna Kreshchenko brings a unique blend of high-performance discipline and entrepreneurial vision to Japan’s startup ecosystem. Originally from Ukraine, Anna was a world-class athlete who set a record as the youngest-ever participant in the World Karate Championship at 16. After moving to Japan in 2017 to pursue her studies, she launched Flora in 2020, quickly establishing herself as a leading innovator. Beyond her role at Flora, she contributes to regional policy as a member of the Kyoto Prefecture Comprehensive Plan Formulation Committee. Anna’s impact has been recognized globally by Forbes Asia and Forbes Japan (30 Under 30 and \"Next 100\") and as one of the Women in Tech 30.
Anna graduated from the Faculty of International Relations, Odessa National University of Ukraine. In 2017, she came to Japan as a MEXT scholar and enrolled in Kyoto University, Faculty of Law. Anna founded Flora in December 2020 to improve women\'s physical and mental wellbeing with the help of cutting-edge technology. Anna was awarded the Special Award as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, selected as Forbes Japan “Next 100” and Forbes Asia & Japan 30 under 30 in 2024.
He began his career in the overseas division of a major manufacturing company, gaining international experience in Singapore and Myanmar. In 2017, he joined Fujitsu, where he has been involved in launching new FinTech solutions while driving DX (Digital Transformation) and SX (Sustainability Transformation) initiatives. Since 2025, he has been part of the Uvance Innovation Studio (UIS), working to foster innovation that transcends organizational and industry boundaries.
Amy is the Founder and CEO of Danu Robotics, a company developing advanced vision-guided robotic systems for waste-sorting, quality control, and automated waste auditing. With a background in environmental technology and artificial intelligence, she focuses on creating practical, high-impact automation solutions that improve safety, material recovery, and operational efficiency within the waste-management sector.
Tatsuo is a communication designer specialized in sports industry. As co-founder and board member of Japan Sports Analyst Association, he created the annual flagship conference event ‘Sports Analytics Japan (SAJ)’ in 2014. The event has been growing and becoming one of the most influential conferences in sports community in Japan and aiming to develop the event as a leading sports analytics conference in Asia. He also created a space to share values, with the concept of jumping out of the sports community – a meet-up space dubbed “HiVE” in SAJ2020 to aim it will become a multi-cultural interactive festival.
Until the end of 2021, he was serving as Project Director of International Communications at Tokyo 2020, where he was leading the international communications team to convey the message from Tokyo 2020 to global audience. Before joining Tokyo 2020 on May 2016, he had been working for Japan Swimming National team as a Public Relations manager where he took part in number of international competitions including FINA World Championships and the Olympic Games with the national team.
He received Master of Arts degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Indiana State University.
Takako Ohyama is an entrepreneur and sustainability strategist based in Japan. She works across food, the circular economy, and place-based innovation, leading projects such as ELAB, NOM³, and the off-grid retreat brand awake. She also advises Vegalta Sendai on sustainability initiatives that connect sports, data, and local communities. Her focus is on turning sustainability into scalable business models and experiences that people genuinely want to be part of.
Yuji Otsuki is the CEO of FerroptoCure, a biotechnology company developing innovative anticancer therapies based on ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by oxidative stress. With a background in life science and translational research, he focuses on advancing drug development and building external collaborations to translate cutting-edge science into first-in-class therapeutic solutions for patients with unmet medical needs.
My early career work with rockstars took me on a journey that led to Austin over a decade ago. Here, I found a new mission in Austin\'s other leading industry, tech. After a stint in grad school immersing myself in the world\'s innovation ecosystems and paying my dues in Boston\'s Kendall Square, I\'ve fully leaned into my mission to connect innovators to make things happen. I collaborate with stakeholders in cities across the planet to grow innovation ecosystems that enable and empower the next generation of tech rockstars to improve the world through innovation.
I am a social impact leader, mentor, and spiritual changemaker devoted to shaping a future that truly serves children, youth, and women. With decades of lived experience across leadership, community work, and inner inquiry, I strive to bridge the worlds of purpose and practice with clarity and compassion. I have been involved with initiatives focused on youth and women’s empowerment, regenerative community building, and values-based leadership. My work emphasizes long-term transformation—restoring dignity to caregiving, re-centering women as nurturers and leaders, and supporting young people to build lives that excite them rather than confine them. Guided by the belief that the world changes through clarity, openness, integrity, compassion, and joy, I endeavor to bring a grounded, heart-led approach to everything I do. My spiritual journey—including a deeply formative pilgrimage to Mount Kailash—continues to inform my inquiry into identity, service, and conscious living. At this stage of my life, I see myself not as slowing down, but as stepping into custodianship—holding space, sharing wisdom, and helping the next generation lead with courage, humility, and care.
Miwa Sasaki is the ASCENT Program Manager, Japan at Renaissance Philanthropy. In this role, she supports the design and delivery of ASCENT, a government-backed initiative advancing ARPA-style research and science commercialization in Japan.
Miwa works at the core of the program, coordinating workshops, events, and international collaborations, including the delivery of Japan’s BiTS cohorts to develop future Venture Directors, the execution of challenge-driven research programs, and the operation of an international fellowship program. She collaborates closely with researchers, universities, government partners, and global counterparts to ensure smooth program delivery and meaningful ecosystem impact.
As the Founder and CEO of An-Nahal, Yu Shinagawa is at the forefront of bridging the gap between diversity and organizational growth. Since 2019, she has empowered corporations to embrace D&I through strategic talent development, while simultaneously building pathways for international students and foreign entrepreneurs to thrive in Japan. Yu’s career spans a unique intersection of global impact and local action—having collaborated on projects with the World Bank, managed refugee employment initiatives in the NPO sector, and led global HR development for major firms. Today, she is a driving force in making the startup ecosystem more inclusive, equitable, and globally competitive.
Green AI : Global Manager Takamiya Corporation : CEO Itochu Corporation : Chemical Dept 10years TBM : Global Business Dept 2years
竹田 元生（たけだ もとき） 株式会社WAVE1 取締役副社長 消防士の父を持ち、日本の防災制度と現場の乖離を原体験とする。国内最大級の消防メーカーで消防車両・設備の生産企画やBCP策定を歴任後、米国消防規格NFPAやインシデント・コマンド・システム（ICS）を研究。現在は株式会社WAVE1取締役副社長として、建物・エリア単位の防災力を定量化・スコア化し、防災を「コスト」から「社会的インパクトと投資価値を生む意思決定基盤」へ転換する取り組みを推進している。
Experienced sustainable Design director with a demonstrated history of working in the design industry. With many years of experience in the planning and design and implementation of various large and small scale projects from innovative design, architectural, interior to smart urban concept in various fields. Furthermore, directly involved in the consultation of entrepreneurs and innovative technology solutions, and Sustainable innovation centers concentrating on sustainable design, helping to innovate and develop modern design solutions. I am interested in getting to know like minded professionals from various fields, and networking in the current design world. I am passionately in love with design innovation in modern ecosystem, and universal design patterns.
Hotaru is an Investment Advisor at the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade, where she drives collaboration between the UK and Japan’s startup ecosystems. As Scale-up Lead at the British Embassy in Tokyo, she supports ambitious Japanese startups and scaleups as they enter and expand in the UK, connecting them with industry leaders and innovation networks to accelerate global success. Previously, Hotaru served at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she negotiated international investment treaties to advance both inward and outward investment opportunities. 駐日英国大使館にて、英国政府ビジネス・通商省（Department for Business and Trade）の対英投資業務を担当。英国・日本間のスタートアップエコシステム強化を推進し、特にディープテック領域において日本発スタートアップおよびスケールアップの英国進出を支援。産業界のキープレイヤーやイノベーションネットワークとの連携を通じ、事業展開の後押しを行っている。以前は外務省経済連携課に在籍し、国際投資協定の交渉を担当。日本企業の海外展開および国外からの投資促進に向けた制度整備に従事。
Bianca Wang Ph.D., Basic Medical Sciences (NCKU) Preclinical Manager, Original Biomedicals Co., Ltd. CTO, PASS Biomed Co., Ltd. Clinical & QA Manager, Maxima Biotech Inc.
Seira Yun is the Founder and CEO of Socious, a decentralized ecosystem helping changemakers with funding, talent, and connections. Seira is a serial impact entrepreneur and an impact angel investor with years of experience in the impact sector, leading teams within the ICRC, UNHCR, and social ventures. Drawing from personal experiences as a migrant, an individual with autism, and a proud pansexual queer, Seira is driven to make the world a better place through social innovation. As a full-stack developer with a Master\'s degree in Social Innovation from the University of Cambridge, Seira enjoys blending technology with purpose. Upon exiting his first social venture in 2021, he founded Socious. He is also a board member at TELL, a suicide prevention non-profit.