So You Have an AI Idea – What’s Next? 【Happy Sushi Hour@Boston】
Are you an AI founder looking to build the next big thing — or an early-stage investor searching for the next breakout opportunity?
This event is your chance to discover exactly what it takes to launch an AI startup successfully — and what experienced founders and investors wish they knew before starting out.
Join us for an evening of:
📖 Exclusive insights from top investors, founders, and technologists about the challenges and lessons of launching an AI startup.
💡 A rare chance to learn about the Elev X! program — and ask anything you want during a dedicated session with NEC X team members.
📣 A chance to pitch your startup — step up and showcase your idea and traction to investors and ecosystem leaders!
🍣 Networking over sushi and drinks with a curated community of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders.
🔥 Fireside Chat
What Founders Wish They Knew Before Launching
From idea to impact: how bold AI founders and ecosystem builders make it happen
In this candid conversation, you'll hear from both sides of the early-stage journey — the founder building at the edge of innovation, and the accelerator partner helping them push through.
Expect honest insights, practical takeaways, and a rare glimpse into how founders and ecosystem builders work together to turn ideas into impact.
Join our Fireside Chat with
Sean (Shunsuke) Matsuoka- General Prognostics (GPx) / Co-Founder, CEO
Naoto Mizuguchi - NEC X / CFO
Kay Seo - NEC Laboratories America
🗓️ Agenda
5:30pm~5:45pm Registration & Networking
5:45pm~5:50pm Welcome
5:50pm~6:10pm Fireside Chat
6:10pm~6:20pm AMA
6:20pm~6:40pm Pitch
6:40pm~8:00pm Networking with sushi & drink
🤝 Connect with Founders & Investors Who Drive Innovation!
This event brings together bold AI founders and early-stage investors in one room — offering a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, spark partnerships, and build meaningful relationships that move startups forward and help investors discover what’s next.
✨ This Event Offers You 4 Key Opportunities - S, P, I & N!
🔹 Startup-Centric
Engage with fellow founders, gain valuable insights from seasoned investors, and connect with industry experts from leading companies.
🔹 Present Your Startup
Showcase your vision and traction in conversations with investors and ecosystem leaders.
🔹 Investor-Connected
Engage with a curated network of active investors to explore funding opportunities — connecting with angel investors and early-stage VCs who are scouting promising AI startups and committed to building long-term partnerships from day one.
🔹 Networking
Build meaningful relationships with highly curated participants, including investors, mentors, and fellow founders, fostering potential collaborations and investments.
📢 About Elev X!
Elev X! is NEC X’s venture studio program, dedicated to investing in and scaling early-stage tech startups. Backed by NEC, a global tech giant with over $20B in revenue, presence in 50+ countries, and 250+ subsidiaries, Elev X! provides hands-on support with world-class resources to propel startups from idea to impact.
💡 Why choose Elev X!?
🔹 Backed by NEC: 125 years of tech innovation, $8B in R&D, and 45,000+ patents
🔹 Hands-On Support: Beyond funding, we provide deep collaboration with NEC engineers and business experts
🔹 AI & Deep Tech Focused: Elev X! invests in AI-driven startups pushing the boundaries of innovation
🚀 Elev X!’s Partners - Top Ecosystem Players
✅ Alchemist Accelerator – A top accelerator for enterprise startups
✅ SVG Ventures | THRIVE – The leading Agri-Food Tech ecosystem
✅ Sand Hill Angels – Leading Silicon Valley angel investors
✅ Carbide Ventures – Early-stage VC led by entrepreneurs who built multiple unicorns
✅ ERA (Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator) – One of NYC’s top startup accelerators
✅ Translink Capital – A top-tier VC with deep global networks
and more!