This week’s Thursday Gathering is a special Global Connect ⚡️(Spark) Day in collaboration with NVIDIA, a global semiconductor leader and supporter of startups. Dive into cutting-edge AI, startup pitches, and real business matchmaking between startups and global enterprises.
Date and Time: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 16:00 to 20:00
Location: ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F SKYLOBBY
Admission: Free (registration required)
Registration & details are here
Event Highlights (In-person only):
15:55 – 20:00
Networking (All Evening)
Connect with innovators, startup founders, corporate leaders, and investors in a relaxed setting. Enjoy up to 3 complimentary beers or soft drinks while engaging in casual conversation or deep dives into new ideas. A special networking highlight from 18:35 includes food and the chance to meet many of the day’s speakers and guests.
More info
In Japanese & English
16:00 – 16:15
Opening Greetings
Hear from local and global leaders as we kick off Global Connect Day.
Speakers:
• Seitaro Hattori, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture
• Takeshi Izaki, Head of Enterprise Business, NVIDIA Japan
More info
In Japanese
16:20 – 17:10
NVIDIA Tech & Startup Support Talks
Two focused presentations from NVIDIA:
1. AI for Industry and Robotics – From Agentic AI to Digital Twins
Speaker: Masanori Umemoto, Manager of Robotics Business Development, NVIDIA Japan
2. NVIDIA’s Startup & VC Engagement Program
Speaker: Misaki Matsumoto, Head of Startup and VC Partnership, NVIDIA Japan
More info
In Japanese
17:15 – 18:25
Pitch Session – Global VCs & Local Innovators
VC Pitch Presentations
• Takeaki Doda, Head of Venture Capital Business Development, Google
• Shotaro Yamanaka, Principal, Salesforce Ventures
Startup Pitches from Fukuoka
• Daikichi Seki, CEO, aiESG
• James Hu, CEO, HMS
• Keita Shimomura, CEO, F.MED
• Eihiro Saishu, CEO, Groovenauts
• Yuichi Tominaga, Director of Technology Promotion, TriOrb
• Osamu Iizuka, CEO, Medmain
More info
In Japanese
19:10 – 19:30
How to Enjoy Thursday Gathering
New to Thursday Gathering? Learn how the event works, how to make meaningful connections, and how to get involved with the community.
Speaker: Yuta Moriyama, Venture Café Fukuoka
More info
In Japanese & English
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.