This week’s Thursday Gathering looks at how innovation is reshaping mobility, IoT, and food systems. Learn from a caregiving mobility pilot in Yokohama, discover the launch of a new IoT open innovation community in Kyushu, and hear from agri- and fisheries experts tackling food supply challenges. Network with startups, corporates, and researchers over drinks and conversation.
Date and Time: Thursday, Sep. 4, 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)
16:00 – 16:50
From Care to Innovation – Yokohama Mobility Pilot
Caregiving taxis—of which there are about 16,000 in Japan—face inefficiencies in booking and operations. Yokohama-based startup Japan Move, led by a Fukuoka-born founder, is piloting a digital platform that links care facilities, hospitals, and drivers to improve service and efficiency. This session explores how the Yokohama model could expand to Fukuoka and beyond, and how mobility innovation can evolve from a niche caregiving service into a broader open innovation opportunity.
More info – In Japanese
17:00 – 17:30
Introducing Social Startups Tackling Community Challenges – Fukuoka City Social Startup MeetUp @ Sub-session Area (Bar Area)
Fukuoka City actively supports social startups that address community and societal issues to help create a more sustainable and livable future. In this session, entrepreneurs working in diverse fields—including senior care, community resources, and agriculture—will present their projects and share the passion driving their work. Attendees can also explore booths to experience products firsthand and see how these ventures are tackling challenges through business.
Speakers include Junta Kunimura (OYASAI Inc.), Karen Hashimoto and Doukou Shibagaki (Camp女子 Inc.), Sae Yamauchi (SafeRide Inc.), and Ayaka Matsuo (Fukuoka City Startup Support Division)
More info – In Japanese
17:30 – 18:20
ifLink Kyushu Launch – Hands-On IoT Open Innovation
ifLink is an open community of more than 200 companies working to “democratize IoT” by lowering barriers to use and encouraging co-creation across industries. The new Kyushu chapter aims to connect enterprises, startups, and students in practical collaborations that go beyond borders. Hear from corporate DX leaders, educators, and practitioners about the frontlines of IoT open innovation and what the Kyushu community can contribute to global efforts.
More info – In Japanese
18:30 – 19:20
From Farm to Table – Strengthening Food Systems with AgriTech
Japan’s food supply has been shaken by price spikes in vegetables and rice, highlighting the fragility of existing systems. This panel brings together agri- and fisheries innovators to discuss how technology can build resilience from production to distribution. Welzo, an “agri-innovation” company tackling everything from cultivation to sales, is joined by Orbvision of Kagoshima, which runs a farmer-focused EC platform, and Geo Gastronomy, which develops digital tracking for seafood distribution. Together, they will share services and technologies that support producers, stabilize supply, and create sustainable food systems.
More info – In Japanese
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.