Japan Innovation Meetup - Bay Area Chapter

​Bridging Japan/Asia & Silicon Valley for Global Startup Success

​Join us for an exclusive gathering of Japanese startup founders, top-tier VCs, and AI and creative industry leaders in the Bay Area as we explore Japan’s evolving startup ecosystem and its growing connections to global markets.

​This event will spotlight Asia’s cutting-edge innovation across entertainment, content, anime, manga, and beyond, bringing together visionary founders and investors shaping the future of these industries. Additionally, we will explore the intersection of AI and creativity, where groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence meet Japan’s rich cultural and creative heritage.

​A unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and bridge Japan’s innovation with the global stage.

​📅 Date: Febuary 24, 2025 (Monday)

​⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Doors Open at 3:30 PM)

​📍 Location: Near Palo Alto (Details provided after registration)

​🗣 Language: English

​👥 Event Size: 40-50 attendees

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​Agenda

​• 3:30 PM – Doors Open

​• 4:00 PM – Welcome & Introduction

​• 4:10 PM – Panel Discussion: US VC Perspectives on Japan’s Startup Landscape

​Featuring leading investors, including Asu Capital Partners, sharing insights on opportunities and challenges for Japanese startups in the global market.

​Guests

​Peter Lai, Velo Labs

​Koki Tanaka, Incubate Fund

​• 5:00 PM – Panel Discussion: Leveraging Technology in the Content Industry – PMF of GenAI & Creativity

​Exploring how generative AI is transforming entertainment, content creation, and storytelling. Industry leaders will discuss the path to achieving product-market fit (PMF) for AI-powered creative products and the future of technology-driven content innovation.

​Guests

​Rissa Cao, COO of PixAI

​Shoko Ugaki, CEO of Orange Inc.

​Jiao Dong, CEO of NUVA Labs

​Akio Kodaira, Research Scientist of Luma AI

​Cory Li, CEO of Spellbrush

​Jackson Felty, CTO of iKHOR Labs

​• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM – Networking Session

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​Who Will/Should Attend?

​• Japanese startup founders

​• Leading Japanese VCs and Corporate VCs

​• Founders building products related to entertainment, content and AI

​• Founders interested in the Japanese startup ecosystem

​• Founders looking to expand into the Japanese market

​• Students and professionals in the Bay Area interested in Japan’s innovation scene

​🚀 Special Guest Speakers: Stay tuned—we’ll be announcing our lineup soon!

​🔹 Application Deadline: Friday, February 23, 2025 (Due to venue logistics, details will be shared with confirmed attendees after this date.)

​🍣 Food & Drinks: Indulge in a thoughtfully curated selection of authentic Asian cuisine and beverages throughout the event.

​About Asu Capital Partners

​Asu Capital Partners is a Tokyo-based seed-stage venture capital firm focused on the “Japan to Global” theme, investing in startups that leverage Japan’s strengths to drive global success.

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​Past Event Guests:

​Investors: a16z, Peak XV, Coatue Management, DST Global, Pear VC, Hongshan(previously Sequoia China), Warburg Pincus, Makers Fund, etc