J-STORIES – Japan’s startup ecosystem is quickly advancing – together with help for entrepreneurs, funding from traders, authorities help, and infrastructure. But, it nonetheless grapples with challenges in boosting its prominence on the worldwide stage.
Each native and nationwide governments are actively enhancing the startup ecosystem by organizing worldwide networking occasions. These occasions join startups worldwide with traders, enterprise capitalists, and trade leaders, offering glorious alternatives for expertise scouting.
Fukuoka is famend because the birthplace of “tonkotsu ramen” (a creamy pork bone broth often served with lengthy, skinny noodles and topped with completely different elements). For over a decade, Fukuoka Metropolis has been devoted to supporting startups, and internet hosting networking occasions since 2018. This 12 months, impressed by Tokyo’s SusHI Tech, town determined to rename the occasion to emphasise ramen, which is alleged to have surpassed sushi in recognition amongst worldwide vacationers.
In an interview with J-Tales, Kei Kuramitsu, who oversees world startup initiatives for Fukuoka Metropolis, highlighted that the occasion takes place in an open area within the Tenjin space. Situated within the western a part of Fukuoka Metropolis, this vibrant space presents an ideal number of shops, bars, eating places, and leisure choices. This distinctive setting permits individuals from around the globe to mingle naturally with most people, setting it aside from different startup occasions. Kuramitsu emphasised that the worldwide attraction of ramen serves as a welcoming slogan, attracting many individuals from around the globe.
The occasion has not solely modified its identify however has additionally more and more targeted on networking with worldwide individuals. Along with native startups and traders, it welcomed startups from exterior town and across the globe. This system included pitch competitions performed in English and periods led by trade professionals. Staying true to the ramen theme, 4 famend native ramen outlets arrange stalls, making a vibrant area the place attendees might take pleasure in scrumptious ramen — a significant hit.
A worldwide occasion with worldwide individuals partaking in English
The occasion introduced collectively startups and representatives from government-backed startup help organizations and funds throughout numerous nations and areas, together with Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and Finland. With pitches and discussions performed primarily in English, it showcased a really world ambiance. Though some periods had been held in Japanese, nearly all of communication occurred in English with out the usage of interpreters.
Driving this initiative is Sōichirō Takashima, the mayor of Fukuoka, who declared town a “startup metropolis” in 2012. Initially targeted on elevating consciousness about startups, Takashima famous that after six years of ongoing alternate occasions, Fukuoka could now be dwelling to the biggest focus of problem-solving startups in Asia.
“This 12 months’s theme is “International.” I need to create an atmosphere the place startups can problem themselves globally with out having to go to Tokyo,” mentioned Mayor Takashima.
“Whereas smaller in scale than Tokyo’s SusHi Tech, it’s excelling in world attraction.”
Whereas Fukuoka’s RAMEN TECH could not match the dimensions of Tokyo’s SusHi Tech, it’s “excelling in world attraction,” because the RAMEN TECH workforce proudly famous. They emphasised that the occasion excels in vitality and attracts startup stakeholders from numerous elements of Asia.
Fukuoka Metropolis is devoted to constructing a sturdy world startup neighborhood, providing sensible help comparable to help with visa acquisition for overseas entrepreneurs and sources for hiring English-speaking expertise. This collaborative effort entails each town and native organizations.
Mayor Takashima additionally emphasised the distinctive benefits of fostering startups in Fukuoka, a metropolis that has struggled with water scarcity as a consequence of its lack of enormous rivers. As an illustration, in fields comparable to catastrophe and infrastructure tech — which incorporates monitoring water pipe leaks from satellites — Fukuoka actively helps and integrates superior applied sciences, positioning itself forward of different cities.
Quite a few world startups have united for this dynamic occasion
Over the course of the two-day periods, quite a few worldwide themes had been addressed. Discussions included sensible matters comparable to “Easy methods to nurture unicorns in Asia,” “How Asian startups appeal to investments from abroad VCs,” and “Ideas for abroad startups to interact in funding and collaboration in Japan.” Individuals from numerous nations shared insights on the help accessible of their respective nations and the present state of worldwide collaboration.
Notably, discussions highlighted startup help in nations like India, which boasts over 100 unicorns (valued at over $1 billion), and Singapore, which, regardless of having a inhabitants of solely about 5 million — roughly 40% of Tokyo’s — proudly hosts 30 unicorns. Attendees listened intently to insights relating to the efficient help techniques in these areas.
Regardless of going through challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Whoscall has efficiently superior its proof-of-concept trials and B2C service choices in Japan. Participation in RAMEN TECH has facilitated discussions about potential collaborations with Japanese corporations, clarifying pathways for B2B service enlargement.
“We intention to leverage the robust basis offered by native sponsors, together with banks and energy corporations related to RAMEN TECH, to introduce our options to the networks of native companies,” mentioned Wei-Chen Lo, head of Japanese operations, expressing optimism about future alternatives.
Translated by J-Tales (Anita De Michele, Lucas Maltzman, Mark Goldsmith)
High picture by Fukuoka Metropolis
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