Thanks to the twelve international founders featured in our recent Startup Visa article for joining us last Friday evening at CIC Fukuoka for “International Startups in Fukuoka — Who’s Building What in 2025.”
International founders and attendees packed CIC Fukuoka for an evening of stories, insights, and networking.
Founders from Mexico, Indonesia, Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Russia, and beyond introduced companies spanning blockchain security, game development, PropTech, international recruitment, AI automation, ed-tech, retail tech, and more. The event featured rapid-fire two-minute presentations followed by a candid, wide-ranging discussion.
This gathering followed our full written profiles here:
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/startup-visa-2025/
Nick Szasz with Takaaki Umezawa – Chairperson, CIC Japan before the event began.
What We Heard — Candid Insights From the Founders
The open discussion revealed a surprisingly consistent set of themes across very different industries, nationalities, and business stages.
Community and networks matter more than anything
Many founders emphasized how important it is to build both a business network and a social one early on.
Take exceptional care of early customers
Earning trust quickly and developing a visible track record is essential in Japan’s relationship-driven market.
Founders shared what they’re building and the real challenges behind launching in a new city.
Fukuoka’s size is an advantage, not a limitation
Several described the ecosystem as open, approachable, and full of space for new ideas — “there’s still a lot left to build.”
Japan’s systems require patience, preparation, and stamina
From incorporation and taxes to city paperwork, founders repeatedly mentioned that six months is a realistic timeframe for many early processes.
Discussion touched on early customer trust, cultural adaptation, and the pace of doing business in Japan.
Corporate bank accounts are still a major hurdle
Multiple founders compared experiences and shared tips for navigating increasingly strict requirements.
Visa pressures are rising, and solutions vary
Some suggested that partnering with a Japanese co-founder can make Business Manager visa transitions smoother under current rules.
Banking, incorporation, and visa challenges drew the most discussion — and the most shared solutions.
Hiring Japanese staff is challenging but possible
Founders shared advice on recruiting new graduates and building mixed teams that can collaborate across cultures.
Creative founders described how Fukuoka’s lifestyle and scale influence their work and mindset.
A lively Q&A followed, with attendees asking about fundraising, hiring, and how to break into local networks.
The evening wrapped with Q&A before moving into an hour of informal networking.
Founders Featured at the Event
• Siyun Park – MenuMenu
• Georgii Plotnikov – Inferara
• Ruslan Kostenko – Lobster Lab
• Avian Vest – Kompjuut
• Hoonseok Lee – EVERYDAY
• Jose Maria Leon Azpiroz – Rewind Games
• Ara Ko – ARAHOME
• Sunny Lau – Bai Hai LLC
• Sharon Cheung – BIXLUX
• Gary Yeung – Commvia
• Veda Sadhak – Block Dance
• Viko Gara – Nosuta
Full bios, company links, and founder stories:
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/startup-visa-2025/
More Photos from the Event
We’ll definitely be hosting another edition of this event.
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