A panoramic view of Tokyo at night illuminated by city lights.

IE Venture Day: Japan 2025

30 May 2025
15:30
2 Chome-15-45 Mita, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0073, Japón
IE Venture Day: Japan 2025

IE Venture Day: Japan 2025

On May 30th, 2025, Tokyo will become the epicenter of global innovation as IE University, in collaboration with Keio University, TechShake and South Summit, proudly presents IE Venture Day Japan.

This international event will bring together leading voices from Japan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem—founders, investors, academics, corporate leaders, and innovation experts—for a dynamic day of startup pitches, insightful conversations, and meaningful networking.

The program will include a startup competition featuring high-potential ventures from across the region, selected for their innovation, scalability, and relevance in addressing today’s most pressing challenges. The program will include a startup competition featuring high-potential ventures from across the region, selected for their innovation, scalability, and relevance in addressing today’s most pressing challenges. From over 40 applications, up to 5 startups will be selected as finalists to pitch in the Venture Day in front of a reknown jury of professionals and academics. They will be joined by 3 student startups from Keio University.

In addition to the pitch competition, attendees will enjoy inspiring keynote talks and panel discussions exploring the future of entrepreneurship, the impact of emerging technologies, and Japan’s growing role in shaping the global startup landscape.

Our vision for Venture Day Japan is to strengthen the country’s vibrant startup ecosystem by fostering collaboration, promoting international connections, and supporting early-stage ventures on their path to global growth. Whether you're a startup founder, investor, or simply passionate about innovation, this event is your gateway to new opportunities and bold ideas.

Find the event location on Google Maps.

PARTNERS

  • This image features the logo of IE University.
  • This image features the logo of Keio University.
  • A logo design featuring interconnected shapes symbolizing technology and innovation.
  • The image features the logo of South Summit, a startup and innovation event.

THE COMPETITION

  • 01.

    Who can participate in the competition? 

    • Tech Startups in Japan.
    • Key Verticals (e.g. AI, Fintech, Robotics).
  • 02.

    What are we looking for? 

    We are interested in supporting innovators and inclusive startups that use technology to address significant challenges faced in the public and private sectors across a wide range of areas and scales.

    Criteria to Apply

    • STARTUP

      Established startup or in the process of being established, based in Japan.

    • INNOVATION

      Innovation in the product/service, business model, and/or commercialization strategy.

    • SCALABILITY

      International commercial potential and a scalable business model.

    • TEAM

      Relevant combination of skills and experience.

    • MARKET

      Clear and significant market opportunity.

    • FUNDING STAGE

      Startups at the following funding stages: Seed and Pre-seed.

    Agenda

    30 minutes

    3:00 PM

    Registration

    5 minutes

    3:30 PM

    Program opening - IE University Alumni 

    10 minutes

    3:35 PM

    IE University & Keio University - Welcome Speech  

    • Paris de L´Etraz - Director Venture Lab, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center IE University
    • Masa InakageDean and Professor at Keio University
    15 minutes

    3:45 PM

    Keynote Speaker

    • Ikuo Hiraishi, CEO & Co-Founder Go Global Catalyst
    20 minutes

    4:00 PM

    Fireside Chat: The Japanese Startup Ecosystem

    • Kento Nakatsugawa, Head of Technology, AI, and Strategy, ICT
    • Tomoto "Terry" Terada, Director, Inclusion Japan Inc
    • Moderator - María Hernández, Associate Director, IE Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    40 minutes

    4:20 PM

    Startups Pitches

    25 minutes

    5:00 PM

    Panel Discussion - The Future of Work in Japan: How AI is Redefining Roles, Skills and Industry Trends

    • Lauren Nham - Central Production Team Investor, Toyota & MetaCap Venture.
    • Kiran Mysore, "Principal, UTEC – The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners & Investor.
    • Samuel Jeanblanc - Head of Partners & Alliances, Google Maps.
    • Moderator - Max Rascher - Co-Founder, Creativize & IE Professor.
    35 minutes

    5:25 PM

    Startup Pitches

    10 minutes

    6:00 PM

    Jury Deliberation

    • Chiamin Lai, General Partner, Firstlight Capital.
    • Lauren Nham, Principal, Metacap Ventures.
    • Kiran Mysore, Principal, UTEC – The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners.
    • Tomoto [Terry] Terada, Director, Inclusion Japan Inc, Co-Founder.
    • Masataka Wakamatsu, Venture Partner, Dentsu Ventures.    
    • Max Rascher, Co-Founder, Creativize & IE Professor.
    10 minutes

    6:10 PM

    Spotlight Talk: Cognitive offloading in the age of AI

    • Paris de l´Etraz, Director Venture Lab, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center IE University.
    15 minutes

    6:20PM

    Winners announcements, prizes & closing

    60 minutes

    6:35 PM

    End of event

    APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON MAY 13th!

    Up to 12 startups will make it to Semifinals and up to 4 will be selected as Finalists to pitch at the Venture Day on May 30th. 

    ORGANIZING TEAM

    Sign up to attend!

    IE Venture Day: Japan 2025 Tickets, Fri, May 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM

    PRIZES for winners

    • 01.

      Fast-track to South Summit preselection stage - South Summit Brazil or Madrid

    • 02.

      x4 Free Basic Tickets to South Summit Brazil or Madrid

    • 03.

      Scholarships for an IE Lifelong Learning Online Program (up to 4 people)

      x1 50% scholarship + x3 25% scholarships

      PRIZES for Finalists

      • 01.

        Scholarships for an IE Lifelong Learning Online Program (up to 4 people)

        • 1 scholarship covering 50% of the total cost.
        • 3 scholarships covering 25% of the total cost each.
      • 02.

        x4 Free Basic Tickets to South Summit Brazil or Madrid

      • 03.

        Scholarships for an IE Lifelong Learning Online Program (up to 4 people per team)

        Up to 4 scholarships covering 25% scholarships of the total cost each.

        Apply Now – Calling All Startups in Japan!