C-level leaders from over 70 Unicorns and rising stars gather in Tokyo for Asia’s first ‘unicorn summit’

JStories – In what marked Asia’s first cross-border and unique gathering of unicorn leaders, greater than 200 startup founders, executives, and ecosystem supporters convened on the Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2025 on Could 7. The occasion introduced collectively C-level executives from over 70 present and next-generation unicorns from Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Held at Azabudai Hills in central Tokyo — simply at some point earlier than the official opening of SusHi Tech Tokyo, the town’s flagship startup showcase — the unique, invitation-only summit was co-organized by South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo and Startup Island Taiwan, with assist from a community of regional companions.

Attendees collect throughout the Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2025 at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo on Could 7 Picture by Moritz Brinkhoff | JStories (Identical under)

“Don’t you suppose one thing thrilling can occur when Asia’s high startup leaders come collectively and join?” mentioned Hochol Sung, Tokyo bureau chief of Chosun Ilbo, as he opened the summit. “That’s precisely the thought behind this gathering.”

Sung famous that regardless of the area’s speedy progress, “surprisingly, many unicorn CxOs in Asia nonetheless don’t know one another.”

Hochol Sung, Tokyo bureau chief of Chosun Ilbo, delivers opening remarks

South Korea led the biggest delegation, with greater than 30 growth-stage startups in attendance, together with 10 unicorns with valuations exceeding $1 billion—amongst them Ably, Dunamu, Karrot, Korea Credit score Knowledge, Megazone Cloud, Story Protocol, and Rebellions.

Japan’s cohort included deeptech unicorns equivalent to AI big Most well-liked Networks and materials tech hopeful TBM, together with roughly 20 rising startups seen as sturdy candidates for unicorn standing. 91APP, Taiwan’s main retail-tech agency, headlined a 20-startup Taiwanese delegation, a number of of that are eyeing IPOs on the Tokyo Inventory Change within the close to future.

Designed as a non-public discussion board for significant trade, the summit featured curated classes and open networking geared toward fostering regional collaboration. Notable attendees included Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s former Digital Minister, together with senior officers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities and the Korea Startup Discussion board.

Participants from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan—including former Taiwanese Digital Minister Audrey Tang (fourth from right, bottom right)—appear in scenes from the Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2025 at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo on May 7. The collage shows group photos, roundtable discussions, and networking among over 70 leading startups from across Asia — Members from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan—together with former Taiwanese Digital Minister Audrey Tang (fourth from proper, backside proper)—seem in scenes from the Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2025 at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo on Could 7. The collage reveals group images, roundtable discussions, and networking amongst over 70 main startups from throughout Asia

“This was past my expectations,” mentioned Sunghyun Park, CEO of Rebellions, a Korean AI chip unicorn startup. “It’s uncommon to collect this many mature startups from Japan, Taiwan, and Korea multi functional place. Many listed here are already on the billion-dollar stage, which makes this much more useful.”

Sunghyun Park, center, CEO of Korean AI chip startup Rebellions, speaks during the unicorn roundtable. He shares insights on Japan’s potential for energy-efficient AI infrastructure. — Sunghyun Park, heart, CEO of Korean AI chip startup Rebellions, speaks throughout the unicorn roundtable. He shares insights on Japan’s potential for energy-efficient AI infrastructure.

Park emphasised that Rebellions is actively eyeing Japan. “Japan is a big, structured market with rising demand for energy-efficient AI infrastructure. Our options are an ideal match. We’re trying to increase into information facilities and assist construct a semiconductor ecosystem linking Japan, Taiwan, and past.”

Johnwoo Lee, CEO of Korean actual property tech agency Rsquare, shared an analogous view: “Japan is among the world’s largest actual property markets. It’s aggressive and saturated—however that additionally means alternative. We’re very desirous about market entry quickly.”

Japanese startups, too, noticed worth within the summit’s cross-border format. “I didn’t need to miss this opportunity,” mentioned Tomoya Nakamura, Chief Information Officer at TBM. “This type of networking is extremely useful. It’s an awesome alternative for abroad startups to attach with Japanese buyers and companies.”

Tomoya Nakamura, center, Chief Knowledge Officer at Japanese deeptech firm TBM, speaks during the unicorn roundtable — Tomoya Nakamura, heart, Chief Information Officer at Japanese deeptech agency TBM, speaks throughout the unicorn roundtable

Could Kao, CFO of 91APP, appreciated the summit’s relaxed, open ambiance. “I believed it will be extra formal, however it wasn’t—and I appreciated that,” she mentioned. “It made it simpler to speak with different unicorn leaders. We’re all from completely different industries, and it’s essential keep open-minded. If it have been too formal, you’d miss these possibilities to attach personally.”

May Kao, CFO of Taiwan-based 91APP, shares insights during the Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2025 — Could Kao, CFO of Taiwan-based 91APP, shares insights throughout the Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2025

Some individuals got here with particular objectives. Hyjein Choi, a enterprise growth supervisor at Canon, mentioned, “I’m right here representing Korea, however on behalf of Canon, we’re trying to associate with sturdy Korean startups (to deliver into Japan). It is a nice occasion to construct these connections.”