Japan’s Startup Ecosystem Get Together at Yokohama

**This is a hybrid physical and live, interactive online event. You can join either online or physically. For physically joining members, please show this event registration confirmation at the entrance of the venue**

Venue: Venture Cafe Yokohama Connect- 2 Chome-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, 220-0012, JP

Organizers: Venture Cafe Yokohama Connect X Founder Institute Japan X Co-CapitalX Openfor.co

Agenda:

1. Welcome and Host Organizations Introduction

2. Opening Keynote: AI Revolution: Why Now Is the Best Time to Build Startup!

3. Ecosystem Supporter shout-out with a self-intro on the stage pairing with a sentence of "How do you support startups"

4. Closing talk: Fostering a Collaborative Ecosystem

5. Networking, Drinks, and Socializing! 

Note: Door opening and networking will begin at 4:00 PM JST, with the session kicking off at 7:00 PM JST. Feel free to join us from 4:00 PM JST to network and connect before the session starts. The final hour will be dedicated to an engaging and informative session, where we’ll dive into valuable learning experiences!

Featured Panelists:

• Erdinç Ekinci , Co-Founder, and CEO of Openfor.co & Co-capital.co and Managing Director of Founder Institute Japan/Korea/Taiwan.

• Marcel Rasinger – Venture Cafe Tokyo

• TBD

🎤 Featured Speakers:

- Mahesh Kasar, SVP, SVP, Head of Sales, APAC & ANZ, Rakuten Symphony & Board of Director at Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA)

- Dr. Joe Hüg, Professor at iU 情報経営イノベーション専門職大学 Professional University of Information and Management for Innovation

- Krishan Caldwell, APAC Commercial Solutions Leader (Flexibility) at Kraken

- Todor Panev, Co-Founder, CBDO at TALNETS AG, Sindex, Sigoor AG

- TBD - Mentors from Founder Institute Japan, Korea, and Taiwan’s Chapter

Who Should Attend:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders

• Investors looking to tap into the Japanese startup ecosystem

• Ecosystem supporters including incubators, accelerators, mentors, and other industry players

• Anyone interested in the future of AI, startups, and innovation in Japan

What You Will Learn:

• Key challenges and opportunities in Japan's startup ecosystem

• How ecosystem supporters can contribute to startup growth

• Insights on attracting venture capitalists to Japanese startups

• How to make startups more attractive to global VCs

• The role of AI in scaling startups and fueling innovation

About the Ecosystem Organizations:

• Founder Institute: The Founder Institute is the world’s largest startup accelerator, helping entrepreneurs around the globe turn ideas into impactful technology companies. With over 8,000 alumni and $BN raised since 2009, there are programs in 200 cities in the world. FI’s mission is to empower entrepreneurs to build meaningful technology businesses.

• Venture Cafe Yokohama Connect-  Our vision is to connect Yokohama (& Japan) along with our global network - based individuals, communities and organizations into one tightly woven successful innovation network.

• Openfor.co: A “Global Partnership Accelerator” originated in Silicon Valley that combined with an online platform and marketplace for learning, building, launching, monetizing, and growing partner ecosystems and collaborative community around you for achieving effective marketing, sales, community building, GTM, fundraising, and many more.

• Co-Capital: Co-Capital is a VC that supports startups, investors, and governments by providing extensive networks, programs, and strategic guidance, helping them gain international traction, and funding opportunities through a collaborative ecosystem focusing on creating synergies among EdTech, Wellness, FinTech, and Deep Tech to foster a cohesive ecosystem where each sector supports and enhances the others with it's regional focus on East Asia to Silicon Valley.