THE BRIDGE

Startups

AdAsia unveils ad network and management tool, enables programmatic buying for Asia

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See the original story in Japanese. AdTech startup AdAsia Holdings (hereafter AdAsia), established in Singapore on April 7, has unveiled its service content. AdAsia has commenced provision of AdAsia Digital Platform capable of programmatic buying (auto-purchasing of advertisement frames based on data) and integrated report management system as well as AdAsia Ad Network which is an ad-network aggregating local media in the Southeast Asian region. With programmatic buying, finely detailed configuration of target audience for advertisement can be simplified by minimizing labor in the form of human operation as much as possible through linkage with the companies’ own websites, CRM (customer relationship management) or customer loyalty programs. Advertisers do not have to pay advertisement fees arising from visitors who are out of their target or who visits the websites accidentally. While every ad network such as Google or Facebook requires configuration of distribution conditions, target of advertisement or confirmation of performance reports, AdAsia Digital Platform automates these works in part. By providing services over the AdAsia Digital Platform which has such functions, the firm aims to differentiate AdAsia Ad Network from other conventional ad networks in terms of operational convenience. AdAsia Digital Platform has realized uniform management of performances over…

adasia-digital-platform_featuredimage

See the original story in Japanese.

AdTech startup AdAsia Holdings (hereafter AdAsia), established in Singapore on April 7, has unveiled its service content. AdAsia has commenced provision of AdAsia Digital Platform capable of programmatic buying (auto-purchasing of advertisement frames based on data) and integrated report management system as well as AdAsia Ad Network which is an ad-network aggregating local media in the Southeast Asian region.

With programmatic buying, finely detailed configuration of target audience for advertisement can be simplified by minimizing labor in the form of human operation as much as possible through linkage with the companies’ own websites, CRM (customer relationship management) or customer loyalty programs. Advertisers do not have to pay advertisement fees arising from visitors who are out of their target or who visits the websites accidentally.

While every ad network such as Google or Facebook requires configuration of distribution conditions, target of advertisement or confirmation of performance reports, AdAsia Digital Platform automates these works in part. By providing services over the AdAsia Digital Platform which has such functions, the firm aims to differentiate AdAsia Ad Network from other conventional ad networks in terms of operational convenience.

AdAsia Digital Platform has realized uniform management of performances over any ad network in addition to AdAsia Ad Network. In the future, a video ad network targeting smart TV viewers will be supported, which is currently in development by the firm.

As of launch date, AdAsia Digital Platform had already been scheduled for implementation in 30 companies including US automakers or major Japanese confectionery makers, and the firm plans to achieve sales of $10 million within 2016.

Translated by Taijiro Takeda
Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

adasia-digital-platform-diagram

Japan’s Ookami behind sports live app Player! raises seed round from Gree Ventures

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See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Ookami, which is behind sports live app named Player!, today announced that it had fundraised an undisclosed amount from Gree Ventures in its seed round. This follows previous angel rounds totaling 30 million yen (about $275,000) from Dai Tamesue (Japanese athlete), Uzabase, Yusuke Umeda (CEO of Uzabase), Tomohito Ebine (founder of Internet ad agency Opt) and Toshiaki Komatsu (co-founder of Photocreate), in June 2014 and March 2015. This fund will be spent for enhancement of the development system. Ookami started in April of 2014. A year later, in April of 2015, it had officially launched mobile app Player! for iOS. Although initially commenced as a sports news distribution platform, as repeating pivot, the app has evolved into a sport-focused social network platform distributing the progress or results of sports game live to enable users to share feelings with other audience users in real-time. In December 2015, the app won the title of App Store Best of 2015. In sports games on Player!, a baseball game between the Yomiuri Giants and the Hiroshima Carp teams for example, users can choose which team to back. By watching the progress of the game, users can chat…

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See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Ookami, which is behind sports live app named Player!, today announced that it had fundraised an undisclosed amount from Gree Ventures in its seed round. This follows previous angel rounds totaling 30 million yen (about $275,000) from Dai Tamesue (Japanese athlete), Uzabase, Yusuke Umeda (CEO of Uzabase), Tomohito Ebine (founder of Internet ad agency Opt) and Toshiaki Komatsu (co-founder of Photocreate), in June 2014 and March 2015. This fund will be spent for enhancement of the development system.

Ookami started in April of 2014. A year later, in April of 2015, it had officially launched mobile app Player! for iOS. Although initially commenced as a sports news distribution platform, as repeating pivot, the app has evolved into a sport-focused social network platform distributing the progress or results of sports game live to enable users to share feelings with other audience users in real-time. In December 2015, the app won the title of App Store Best of 2015.

In sports games on Player!, a baseball game between the Yomiuri Giants and the Hiroshima Carp teams for example, users can choose which team to back. By watching the progress of the game, users can chat in the comment window and enjoy the game with the same team’s fans. Detailed information on the progress of sports game is gained through reproduction of photos or texts with content-usage permitted from more than 150 sports media including Soccer King (by From One) or Gekisaka (by Kodansha). As for live broadcasting, although the latest version of Player! supports that technically, the broadcasting fee for sports games is generally quite expensive. Therefore, the company plans to secure video content through tie-up with companies that hold broadcasting rights in the future.

CEO of Ookami Taiyo Ogata commented on the app:

Concerning monetization, I think it is rather easy to connect the app with the sports game ticket business. On the other hand, connection with Toto (Japanese state-run sport promotion lottery) may not be so easy. […]

The average stay time for the app exceeds 15 minutes per use due to the content characteristics, and that is the advantage which overwhelms other mobile apps.

So far, Ookami has launched apps only for iOS in order to focus on interface design of the apps. However, it aims to launch Player! for PC and Android by the Rio de Janeiro Olympic games in August.

In this field, Softbank (TSE:9434) and its subsidiary Yahoo Japan (TSE:4689) had started a service with mobile app named Sponavi-Live since this March, which enables the viewing of live sports game broadcasting in seven genres at 3,000 yen (about $28) or 500 yen (about $4.6) only for Softbank mobile users at a monthly charge.

Translated by Taijiro Takeda
Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

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CEO of Ookami Taiyo Ogata (second from right, in front row) and members of his firm

Japan’s IoT-optimized cellular operator Soracom raises $22M series B for global expansion

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Japan’s Soracom, which offers mobile data communication over its platform, announced today the raising of $2.4 billion yen (about $22 million) in a series B round. In addition to World Innovation Lab (WiL) and Infinity Venture Partners (IVP) that participated in the previous round, several VC firms and other businesses joined this round although their names have not been disclosed. With this funding, the company garners a total of 3.1 billion yen (about $28 million) since its launch back in March of 2015. See also: Japan’s Soracom launches cellular network service for Internet of Things developers According to Soracom, they will use the funds centering on expansion over the global market, in particular catering toward the Europeans in their home markets where mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are more commonplace than in the US. In Japan, the dominant mobile network operator NTT docomo is dealing with Soracom for wholesale (L2 classification) as an MVNO. Soracom has been providing mobile network services called Soracom Air and Soracom Beam through use of NTT docomo’s mobile base stations in its home market. Soracom Air features a core network (packet switches, line management and band limits) and a support system (customer management or charge billing) that are proprietary developments as implemented on the Amazon…

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Image credit: Soracom

Japan’s Soracom, which offers mobile data communication over its platform, announced today the raising of $2.4 billion yen (about $22 million) in a series B round. In addition to World Innovation Lab (WiL) and Infinity Venture Partners (IVP) that participated in the previous round, several VC firms and other businesses joined this round although their names have not been disclosed. With this funding, the company garners a total of 3.1 billion yen (about $28 million) since its launch back in March of 2015.

See also:

According to Soracom, they will use the funds centering on expansion over the global market, in particular catering toward the Europeans in their home markets where mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are more commonplace than in the US. In Japan, the dominant mobile network operator NTT docomo is dealing with Soracom for wholesale (L2 classification) as an MVNO.

Soracom has been providing mobile network services called Soracom Air and Soracom Beam through use of NTT docomo’s mobile base stations in its home market. Soracom Air features a core network (packet switches, line management and band limits) and a support system (customer management or charge billing) that are proprietary developments as implemented on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. As for Soracom Beam, encryption, protocol conversion and data transfer to on-premise or cloud servers are being handled at the Soracom side.

Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

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Japan’s Sorabito gets $4.7M to enhance global marketplace of used heavy machinery

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See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Sorabito, the company behind the global marketplace for used construction machinery from Japan, has fundraised about 500 million yen (about $4.7 million) from several investors. This follows their previous 100 million yen (about $940,000) funding from GMO Venture Partners, Fumiaki Koizumi and Hidetoshi Takano back in September last year. In addition to these existing investors, Gree Ventures, JA Mitsui Leasing, Opt Ventures and SMBC Venture Capital joined this round. The Allstocker marketplace allows businesses to buy and sell used heavy construction and farm machinery of Japanese origin online. On top of the marketplace function, it offers a unique payment solution in partnership with SMBC, not to mention a global logistics system which enables delivery of the purchased heavy machinery from sellers to buyers around the world. Translated by Masaru Ikeda Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

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Image credit: Allstocker.com

See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Sorabito, the company behind the global marketplace for used construction machinery from Japan, has fundraised about 500 million yen (about $4.7 million) from several investors. This follows their previous 100 million yen (about $940,000) funding from GMO Venture Partners, Fumiaki Koizumi and Hidetoshi Takano back in September last year. In addition to these existing investors, Gree Ventures, JA Mitsui Leasing, Opt Ventures and SMBC Venture Capital joined this round.

The Allstocker marketplace allows businesses to buy and sell used heavy construction and farm machinery of Japanese origin online. On top of the marketplace function, it offers a unique payment solution in partnership with SMBC, not to mention a global logistics system which enables delivery of the purchased heavy machinery from sellers to buyers around the world.

Translated by Masaru Ikeda
Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

C Channel, video fashion media for women, secures funds from Tokyo broadcaster

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C Channel, which offers a video-based digital fashion media for young women under the same name, announced in late April that it has fundraised from TBS Television, a Tokyo-based private TV network company. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed but it is said to be a multi-million dollar investment according to sources. This follows their $4 million funding in a seed round back in April last year. C Channel initially started offering video clips on their platform but has recently shifted to the distributed content model, similar to news sites like NowThis. They are delivering clips via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, China’s Tudou and among others. The company claimed that they have surpassed 100 million monthly video plays in March thanks to the launch of a ‘how-to’ clip series featuring women’s favorite topics such as how to make up, style hair or cook. In partnership with TBS Television, C Channel is looking to offer video clips covering lifestyle news, entertainment gossips and gourmet updates for foodies as well as launching a cross-media marketing scheme that allows advertisers to expose their products both on the TV channel and the online video platform. C Channel recently partnered with Oookbee,…

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TBS headquarters  Image credit: Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)

C Channel, which offers a video-based digital fashion media for young women under the same name, announced in late April that it has fundraised from TBS Television, a Tokyo-based private TV network company. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed but it is said to be a multi-million dollar investment according to sources. This follows their $4 million funding in a seed round back in April last year.

C Channel initially started offering video clips on their platform but has recently shifted to the distributed content model, similar to news sites like NowThis. They are delivering clips via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, China’s Tudou and among others. The company claimed that they have surpassed 100 million monthly video plays in March thanks to the launch of a ‘how-to’ clip series featuring women’s favorite topics such as how to make up, style hair or cook.

In partnership with TBS Television, C Channel is looking to offer video clips covering lifestyle news, entertainment gossips and gourmet updates for foodies as well as launching a cross-media marketing scheme that allows advertisers to expose their products both on the TV channel and the online video platform.

C Channel recently partnered with Oookbee, a Thai startup providing e-publication and UGC (user generated content) in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile TBS Television has also announced a partnership with Thailand’s Amarin TV for production of several travelogue and shopping program series.

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C Channel

Japan’s answer to Airbnb, Hyakusenrenma, secures $13M in third funding round

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Hyakusenrenma, the Japanese startup behind vacation rental services such as Stay Japan and Tomarina, has secured about 1.4 billion yen (about $13 million) from AID Partners Capital Holdings (HK:8088), Tokyo-based railway/department store operator Keio Corporation (TSE:9008) and Cool Japan Fund. This follows the previous funding in a seed round from Silicon Valley-based World Innovation Lab (WiL for short) for 200 million yen in July of 2014, followed by an undisclosed amount of additional funding from Tokyo-based Internet service company Gaiax (TSE:3775) in November of 2015. The company said it will use the latest funds to turn their vacation rental sites into a multilingual environment, so foreign visitors to Japan can much easily access authentic travel destinations. Stay Japan, one of the company’s services, introduces vacant private houses and rooms to travelers searching for accommodations. Tomarina, another service, allows travelers to stay at a farmer’s / fisherman’s home, experiencing such jobs by participating in “farmstay” tourism programs under public sector auspices. It is said that shortage looms for short-term stay locations due to increased inbound tourism. The planned 2020 Olympics is adding further fuel to things. The Japanese government is looking to encourage “authorized” services like the abovementioned to counter this…

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From “Tomarina” website

Hyakusenrenma, the Japanese startup behind vacation rental services such as Stay Japan and Tomarina, has secured about 1.4 billion yen (about $13 million) from AID Partners Capital Holdings (HK:8088), Tokyo-based railway/department store operator Keio Corporation (TSE:9008) and Cool Japan Fund.

This follows the previous funding in a seed round from Silicon Valley-based World Innovation Lab (WiL for short) for 200 million yen in July of 2014, followed by an undisclosed amount of additional funding from Tokyo-based Internet service company Gaiax (TSE:3775) in November of 2015. The company said it will use the latest funds to turn their vacation rental sites into a multilingual environment, so foreign visitors to Japan can much easily access authentic travel destinations.

Stay Japan, one of the company’s services, introduces vacant private houses and rooms to travelers searching for accommodations. Tomarina, another service, allows travelers to stay at a farmer’s / fisherman’s home, experiencing such jobs by participating in “farmstay” tourism programs under public sector auspices.

It is said that shortage looms for short-term stay locations due to increased inbound tourism. The planned 2020 Olympics is adding further fuel to things. The Japanese government is looking to encourage “authorized” services like the abovementioned to counter this situation.

Cotobe, Japan’s answer to CrunchBase, aims to improve work environment at startups

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See the original story in Japanese. Net Jinzai Bank is a new business team within Japanese staff-dispatching and outsourcing company Saint Media, primarily offering an executive and talent search service for tech and IoT (Internet of Things) startups in Japan. On Wednesday, the company officially launched a startup valuation and scoring database site called Cotobe. It gathers and scores information about startups’ corporate values, and provides them as a list. This service is available via the website, and also as a mobile app for Android and iOS. The Cotobe site deals with listed and unlisted Japanese Internet companies as well as foreign companies run by Japanese entrepreneurs, gathers metrics like their amount of funding, annual sales, pageviews / unique visitors or the number of app downloads from publicly-available updates as well as the availability of stock options and average annual income by interviewing people involved. Then these metrics will be analyzed using a unique algorithm on the site so that users can easily compare startups at a glance. The breakdown of their targeted users is estimated to be job seekers (70%) and investors (30%), hence the service is seen being used for opportunities like finding new startups to work with…

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See the original story in Japanese.

Net Jinzai Bank is a new business team within Japanese staff-dispatching and outsourcing company Saint Media, primarily offering an executive and talent search service for tech and IoT (Internet of Things) startups in Japan. On Wednesday, the company officially launched a startup valuation and scoring database site called Cotobe. It gathers and scores information about startups’ corporate values, and provides them as a list. This service is available via the website, and also as a mobile app for Android and iOS.

The Cotobe site deals with listed and unlisted Japanese Internet companies as well as foreign companies run by Japanese entrepreneurs, gathers metrics like their amount of funding, annual sales, pageviews / unique visitors or the number of app downloads from publicly-available updates as well as the availability of stock options and average annual income by interviewing people involved. Then these metrics will be analyzed using a unique algorithm on the site so that users can easily compare startups at a glance. The breakdown of their targeted users is estimated to be job seekers (70%) and investors (30%), hence the service is seen being used for opportunities like finding new startups to work with or invest in.

Typical job seekers for startups in Japan may use a social recruiting service like Wantedly. According to the Cotobe team, in contrast to Wantedly focused on offering users with an intuitive approach by allowing them to feel the atmosphere and work environment of startups they are interested in working at, Cotobe can be defined as offering a data-proven standard in finding a new position. Especially for the convenience of job seekers, each profile of registered startups is linked to the one on Wantedly, if any.

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Considered an information resource for investments and funding updates on the startup landscape, the site plays a similar role as CrunchBase (US), CB Insights (US), Entrepredia (Japan), RocketPunch (Korea), Itjuzi (China), and 36kr’s database service (China).

Cotobe is provided free of charge, because it is part of activities to increase awareness of NET Jinzai Bank. Not just positive information for startups will be displayed on Cotobe so one can easily compare job information including average incomes from startups in the same industry. However, NET Jinzai Bank is going to publicize as much information as it can obtain, and contribute to improved status of startup workers by encouraging startup efforts to compete even under such an environment.

Translated by Taijiro Takeda
Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy and Masaru Ikeda

Japan’s social recruiting startup Wantedly unveils portfolio platform to attract creators

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See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Wantedly, the Japanese startup offering a social recruiting platform under the same name to connect startups with their potential employees, has launched a portfolio showcase platform called Case, aiming to connect creators and companies via products or artworks. Coinciding with the launch, products made by various startups or creative companies in Japan such as Party, Bascule, Bracket, 1->10design, Fablic and Vasily have as launch partners been displayed on the Wantedly website. Case allows users to team up and submit ‘projects.’ Any team already formed at Wantedly can submit projects as that team. When submitting projects, names of people concerned in the artworks or products can be put in the ‘credits.’ Although that is common practice in the advertisement field, names have not been visualized in product development so far. Visualization of names on Case will be appreciated by designers or engineers. Case aims to assist creators upon gaining inspiration or finding companies that provide excellent works through the displaying of products or artworks. However, there already have been many websites available for exhibition of creators’ portfolios or acquisition of inspiration. To distinguish Case itself as a later player from others, Wantedly will hold…

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See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Wantedly, the Japanese startup offering a social recruiting platform under the same name to connect startups with their potential employees, has launched a portfolio showcase platform called Case, aiming to connect creators and companies via products or artworks.

Coinciding with the launch, products made by various startups or creative companies in Japan such as Party, Bascule, Bracket, 1->10design, Fablic and Vasily have as launch partners been displayed on the Wantedly website.

Case allows users to team up and submit ‘projects.’ Any team already formed at Wantedly can submit projects as that team. When submitting projects, names of people concerned in the artworks or products can be put in the ‘credits.’ Although that is common practice in the advertisement field, names have not been visualized in product development so far. Visualization of names on Case will be appreciated by designers or engineers.

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Case aims to assist creators upon gaining inspiration or finding companies that provide excellent works through the displaying of products or artworks. However, there already have been many websites available for exhibition of creators’ portfolios or acquisition of inspiration. To distinguish Case itself as a later player from others, Wantedly will hold the key to success.

Previously on the Wantedly webpages, it was not easy for user companies to provide information about their products or artworks visually. By displaying their own products on Case, these companies can promote their activities more easily. On each company webpage at Case, a button for ‘view job’ is available, in addition to the follow button within Case. Accordingly, user companies will obtain more opportunities to acquire new customers or to recruit creators that match them.

Due to this launch, about 300 pieces of products were collected. The service plans to increase the number of users as targeting creators by having many opportunities to create products, and to attract 2,000 products within several months.

Translated by Taijiro Takeda
Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy and Masaru Ikeda

Tokyo-based Cluster secures $460K funding to develop VR platform for meet-ups

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Cluster, the Japanese startup behind a virtual reality(VR)-based event and environment platform under the same name, announced on Tuesday that it has fundraised 50 million yen (about US$460,000) from Skyland Ventures, East Ventures and several angel investors. Upon obtaining this funding, the company was rebranded from its previous name Fictbox. Skyland Ventures participated in the previous funding round in January. The firm apparently is targeting relative small event organizers that cannot afford to commit much money or withstand losses. The Cluster platform allows event organizers to hold meet-ups, events, and other gathering opportunities using VR without fear of booking a venue or paying a high rent. For participants, they can virtually participate in an event by wearing a headgear and communicate with each others, even from home. Thanks to recent advances in server integration technologies and a protocol optimized for Internet of Things (IoT), even if more than 1,000 connections are established simultaneously, users are unlikely to feel a heavy load on the system. via TechCrunch Japan Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

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Cluster, the Japanese startup behind a virtual reality(VR)-based event and environment platform under the same name, announced on Tuesday that it has fundraised 50 million yen (about US$460,000) from Skyland Ventures, East Ventures and several angel investors.

Upon obtaining this funding, the company was rebranded from its previous name Fictbox. Skyland Ventures participated in the previous funding round in January.

The firm apparently is targeting relative small event organizers that cannot afford to commit much money or withstand losses. The Cluster platform allows event organizers to hold meet-ups, events, and other gathering opportunities using VR without fear of booking a venue or paying a high rent. For participants, they can virtually participate in an event by wearing a headgear and communicate with each others, even from home.

Thanks to recent advances in server integration technologies and a protocol optimized for Internet of Things (IoT), even if more than 1,000 connections are established simultaneously, users are unlikely to feel a heavy load on the system.

via TechCrunch Japan

Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

If Conference 2016 in NYC connects Japan, US tech scenes

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This article is a contribution from New York-based journalist / translator Kasumi Abe. The Bridge reformatted and reproduced the article submitted to Nulab Blog, by courtesy of both Nulab and Abe. On 11 April, an event called If Conference (‘If Con’ for short) was held in New York City, aimed at connecting the tech scenes of Japan and the US. The venue was filled with some 250 visitors. The event got particularly lively in which many questions were thrown among the participants. Keynote 1: Pathway to Success in America for Japanese Companies If Con started from 12:30pm on 11 April, at Microsoft Technology Center in Times Square. First of all, William Lohse, who is founder / general partner of Social Starts and founder / CEO of Pivot Conference in addition to also being an investor, gave the keynote speech about tips for Japanese startups upon developing in the US and gaining success there. Lohse garnered much attention due to his familiarity with tech trends in both Japan and the US. Although it was a weekday and on a Monday afternoon to boot, the venue was filled to capacity from the onset! As he frequently flies back and forth between the…

This article is a contribution from New York-based journalist / translator Kasumi Abe. The Bridge reformatted and reproduced the article submitted to Nulab Blog, by courtesy of both Nulab and Abe.

nyc-if-conference-2016-1

On 11 April, an event called If Conference (‘If Con’ for short) was held in New York City, aimed at connecting the tech scenes of Japan and the US. The venue was filled with some 250 visitors. The event got particularly lively in which many questions were thrown among the participants.

Keynote 1: Pathway to Success in America for Japanese Companies

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If Con started from 12:30pm on 11 April, at Microsoft Technology Center in Times Square.

First of all, William Lohse, who is founder / general partner of Social Starts and founder / CEO of Pivot Conference in addition to also being an investor, gave the keynote speech about tips for Japanese startups upon developing in the US and gaining success there.

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Lohse garnered much attention due to his familiarity with tech trends in both Japan and the US. Although it was a weekday and on a Monday afternoon to boot, the venue was filled to capacity from the onset!

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As he frequently flies back and forth between the two countries as well as is renowned for being knowledgable about Japan’s tech scene, questions for the keynoter from the audience centered on Japanese entrepreneurs or Japan’s tech community within the US.

Nulab CEO Hashimoto presents “The Tech City Fukuoka”

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From 2pm, Nulab CEO Masanori Hashimoto took to the stage and introduced Japan’s Startup Visa system which has been newly implemented for issuance of visa for foreign entrepreneurs coming to the City of Fukuoka as the initial case for Japan, or the collaborative event between ‘tech’ and ‘creative’ called Myojo Waraku organized by Hashimoto and others.

See also:

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His speech peppered with jokes sometimes drew laughter from the audience, with active discussions taking place during Q&A afterwards. He appeared to be very nervous, but the staff was relieved that he was able to contribute to the promotion of Nulab and the City of Fukuoka.

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The Nulab CEO answered a question as to whether Myojowaraku will be held also in New York City or not:

The reason why we could carry out the event in Taiwan and London other than in Fukuoka was the support provided by the respective city. If New York City will support us, then I would like to hold it as well.

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In retrospect, he noted:

I was very nervous because it was my first speech in New York City, but receiving good responses to a story about Ramen noodle as an introduction of the City of Fukuoka allowed me to speak as usual after that.

Meanwhile, other sessions regarding ‘Tips to Work with International Startups in New York’ was held in another place within Microsoft Technology Center, and that enlivened the venue as well.

Panel Discussion: Global Macro Trends / Launching Products in Japan

From 3pm to 5pm, two large panel discussions were held. One was on the theme of ‘global macro trends’ as mulled by CEOs of New York-based Japanese / US startups or analysts. The other was about perspectives on business development into Japan, by CEOs of startups which had actually developed their business into Japan.

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Moderated by Ash Ryan (Developer Evangelist, Adobe), joining this panel were Ada Gries (CEO, OKPanda), Yoki Gibo (Director, Noom), and Odile Baneiflah (Head of International Operations, Meetup.com).

In another hall, several sessions having ‘Mental Game for Innovation’, ‘Structuring Your Startup for Success’ or ‘Trends in Japanese / US Startups’ as themes were held.

Keynote 2: How to Disrupt Personal Mobility Industry

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As a finale to the event, CEO of Silicon Valley-based Whill Satoshi Sugie gave an evening keynote speech about development and future of next-generation powered wheelchairs. This session was also very well attended, with standing audiences!

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Sugie shared the corporate philosophy of Whill which had just started in 2012 and episodes from the development of the Whill wheelchair. He concluded that what he wants to create is not just a powered wheelchair, but a personal mobility in a new category, which makes everyone want to ride it.

See also:

After 6pm, a networking event was held with light meals and drinks, where participants were asking speakers many questions, or discussing ideas among themselves.

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The visitors were mainly entrepreneurs or students, and the ratio of men to women looked nearly equal.

I obtained the impression of the event from one of the If Con organizers, Masato Okunishi, after this.

He said:

The event was successful thanks to a lot of participants, more than we had imagined. Through this event, we could sense afresh the necessity or importance of the need for such events or communities, even in New York City.

We had received many testimonials like “It was worthwhile to come here today.” From US tech-related people, it was highly evaluated with comments like ‘I could come in contact with Japanese things for the first time’ including Japan-originated or Japanese startups through this event.

From Japanese or Japan-related people living in the US, we heard their impressions that it was nice to attend such a local event in New York. The common point in both feedbacks was that it was a new type of event that was not to be found before.

As an ambition for the future, we want to have more New Yorkers know about Japanese / US startups, and also have the Japanese become familiar with the tech situation in New York. We are happy if the community of If Con or our regular meet-up event Japan NYC Startups will enhance the circumstances for Japanese / US startups in New York.

It is expected that the relationship on the tech side between Japan and New York, or the US overall will be strengthened further in the future.

Photos taken at If Conference 2016

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Light exercise during the intermission to become refreshed, with a cooldown to follow
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The participants are treated to various drinks and snacks from sponsoring companies, such as green tea by Ito-en, draft beer by Sapporo and baumkuchen by Baum’s Sho.

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Translated by Taijiro Takeda
Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy and Masaru Ikeda