Explore entrepreneurship, international careers, community building and the role of public art in shaping the city. This week’s program brings together student startup pitches, cross-cultural perspectives and a discussion on art, architecture and urban development.
Date and Time: Thursday, September 3, 2026, 16:00 to 20:00
Location: ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F SKYLOBBY
Admission: Free (registration required)
Registration & details: Event website (Japanese)
Event Highlights (In-person only):
16:00 – 16:50
Seeing the World Through Numbers: Secondary Markets and Thursday Gathering
Thursday Gathering student ambassador Aki explores the worlds of startups and investment through the lens of data. The first half focuses on the increasingly important secondary market, with an expert guest explaining its scale, its relationship to IPOs and its role in the startup ecosystem. The second half turns the spotlight on Thursday Gathering itself, using participation data and past themes to reveal how the community has grown and evolved.
16:00 – 20:00
Networking
Meet entrepreneurs, innovators, speakers and fellow participants throughout the evening. Up to three complimentary beers or soft drinks are available, providing a relaxed setting for conversation, post-session discussion and potential collaboration. It is also a valuable opportunity to connect directly with speakers and guests from the day’s sessions.
17:00 – 17:15
How to Enjoy Thursday Gathering
A short, interactive introduction to Venture Café Fukuoka’s signature weekly event. Learn about the community, its mission, how Thursday Gathering works and how meaningful connections can lead to new ideas and opportunities. A useful starting point for first-time visitors.
17:30 – 18:15
Meetup for Thursday Gathering Beginners!
Designed for newcomers, this meetup introduces Venture Café’s mission of “Connecting Innovators to Make Things Happen” and offers an easy way to meet other first-time participants. Learn how to make the most of Thursday Gathering, discover what the community has to offer and start building new connections from your very first visit.
17:30 – 18:20
Kyushu University QREC Students Pitch Event
Students from Kyushu University’s QREC Entrepreneurship Bootcamp will present business ideas developed through pitching, customer interviews and feedback. Three teams will showcase concepts including a speech-training device for people who stutter, a dysphagia-prevention kit for stroke patients and a generative AI-powered music creation support service. After Fukuoka, the students will continue their journey to Boston and Silicon Valley, where they will pitch in English, gather feedback and further develop their ideas.
18:00 – 19:00
New Perspectives Through Difference: What Does Global Talent Need to Thrive in Japan?
Current APU students share firsthand experiences of studying and living in a highly international environment. The session explores culture shock, changing values and the challenges of building a career in Japan, including the experience of an international student who arrived with no Japanese and went on to secure a position at a Japanese company. International professionals working in Japan will also share their perspectives on what helps foreign talent succeed and contribute in the workplace.
Sub-session Area: beside REC COFFEE
18:30 – 19:20
FACT TALK #010: Public Art and Urban Development
Ceramic artist and FACT member Makoto Kagoshima, architect Kenichiro Ide and design journalist Mirei Takahashi discuss the relationship between public art, people and the city. Taking “Mi volas paroli,” the wall artwork at ONE FUKUOKA BLDG., as a starting point, they will explore how art in public spaces can foster new connections and contribute to the creation of culture and value in the urban environment.
FACT, or Fukuoka Art Culture Talk, is a volunteer cultural initiative that aims to learn about, discuss and connect the diverse forms of culture that will play an important role in Fukuoka’s future.
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.