Celebrate one year of CIC Fukuoka with a special edition of Thursday Gathering featuring pitches, networking, and cross-sector conversations on the future of innovation in Japan. From academia and startups to major corporations, investors, and local governments, this event highlights the people and ideas building new connections across Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, and beyond.
Date and Time: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 16:00 to 20:00
Location: ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F SKY LOBBY
Admission: Free (registration required)
Registration & details: Event website (Japanese)
Event Highlights (In-person only):
16:00 to 16:25
Celebrating One Year of CIC Fukuoka: Opening Talk Connecting the CIC Community Across Fukuoka, Tokyo, and Osaka
Marking the first anniversary of CIC Fukuoka, this opening session reflects on the growth of its community and ecosystem over the past year. Hear special remarks from CIC Japan, followed by a cross-city talk with directors from Fukuoka, Tokyo, and Osaka. The session explores how the CIC network is connecting founders, cities, and new opportunities across Japan and Asia.
16:00 to 20:00
Demo Table: STARTUP ELITE Bootcamp Cohort 2 Showcase
Discover standout startups from the second cohort of STARTUP ELITE Bootcamp, a hands-on incubation program designed to support everything from idea development and product design to fundraising. Meet teams that have advanced through the program’s stage-based selection process and are now ready to present their businesses to the wider community.
16:00 to 20:00
Networking
Thursday Gathering’s signature networking space runs throughout the event, offering a relaxed setting to connect with fellow participants, speakers, and guest presenters. Complimentary beer or soft drinks are available, with up to three drinks per person. It is an ideal opportunity to continue conversations after sessions and spark new collaborations.
16:30 to 17:30
Academia Pitch: Cutting-Edge Research from OIST and Kyushu University
Researchers from leading institutions including OIST and Kyushu University present breakthrough work across six fields, from AI and life sciences to engineering and agriculture. This session explores how advanced research can lead to startup creation, industry collaboration, and real-world impact. It is a must for anyone interested in where science meets entrepreneurship.
16:30 to 17:45
Large Corporation Pitch: Kyushu vs. Kanto, New Business in Motion
Major companies from Kyushu and the Kanto region take the stage to share what kinds of business partners they are seeking and what forms of co-creation they hope to build. Featuring leaders from sectors such as rail, finance, aviation, and technology, this session offers a close look at how open innovation is taking shape inside Japan’s leading corporations.
17:00 to 20:00
Mentoring Table: Funding and Subsidy Consultation for Aspiring Founders and Startups by HelpTech
HelpTech offers guidance on a wide range of funding options, including loans, equity, subsidies, and grants. The company is especially known for its expertise in reskilling-related support and is seeing growing demand for advice on AI-related funding. On-site consultation is available without advance registration.
17:00 to 20:00
Mentoring Table: Startup Consultation by NCB Venture Capital
Meet Tomoki Kusaba, Manager at NCB Venture Capital, for startup consultation during this open mentoring session. Entrepreneurs and aspiring founders are welcome to stop by and discuss business ideas, fundraising, and growth opportunities.
17:30 to 18:00
Venture Capital Reverse Pitch: Investors from Japan and Abroad
What kind of startups are investors looking for right now? This session brings together domestic and international venture capital firms to share the technologies, sectors, and business models currently on their radar. With perspectives from Fukuoka, Osaka, Tokyo, and overseas, it offers practical insight for founders preparing for fundraising and strategic partnerships.
17:45 to 18:45
Local Government Pitch: 10 Cities Supporting Startups
Municipalities from Kyushu and across Japan present the challenges they are tackling and the future they hope to build together with startups. Learn about regional assets, demonstration fields, and public support systems that can help founders test ideas and grow new businesses. The session also highlights why these cities are becoming increasingly attractive places to launch and scale ventures.
18:00 to 19:30
Startup Pitch: Eight Startups from Kyushu, Okinawa, and Yamaguchi
Selected startups from across Kyushu, Okinawa, and Yamaguchi pitch their visions and ambitions for growth. Expect a wide range of innovation, including deep tech, agritech, and solutions to regional challenges. This high-energy session offers a vivid snapshot of the momentum building across western Japan’s startup ecosystem.
18:30 – 19:30
Manabu Hubs: Demo Day + Light Talk
Manabu Hubs is a premier cross-border incubator bridging the innovation corridors of Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.
With a track record of hosting over 100+ tech events in hubs like Taipei, Tokyo, and Fukuoka, we are dedicated to driving 20–30% revenue growth for startups scaling in the APAC region. We are back in the “Startup City” for our first Demo Day + Light Talk of 2026 and celebrating 1 year anniversary with our friends from Venture café!
Join us as we showcase high-growth startups and unveil the next generation of ecosystem management tools.
[Agenda]
18:30 PM | Opening & Vision: An introduction to the Manabu Hubs roadmap and the official launch of the Manabu.dev Smart Dashboard—our new SaaS solution for cohort evaluation and startups ecosystem tracking.
18:45 PM | Startup Pitch Sessions: 5 hand-picked startups will have 5 minutes to pitch, followed by a 2-minute rapid-fire Q&A. (To be announced soon!) * Focus Sectors: AI Solutions, No-Code, Robotics, DeepTech/GreenTech, ehealth and Global Infrastructure Tools.
19:30 PM | Session Conclusion + Networking. Connect with our private network of global founders, angels $ VCs, and senior advisors and developers! Don’t miss it !
Organized by Venture Café Fukuoka
Languages: Japanese and/or English (varies by session)
All sessions are in-person only. Pre-registration required via the event website.