![\"Thursday](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/fn_tg31_2025_cl.jpg?resize=1400%2C785&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nThis week\u2019s Thursday Gathering bridges two dynamic startup scenes\u2014Kumamoto and Fukuoka\u2014with a spotlight on food innovation and cross-regional collaboration. Plus, don\u2019t miss the return of F\u2605Pitch, featuring top startups from across Japan.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Date and Time:<\/strong> Thursday, July 17, 2025, 16:00 to 20:00 16:00\u201316:50 17:00\u201317:10 17:00 \u2013 17:30 17:30 – 18:20 18:30 – 20:00 Speakers: Organized by Venture Caf\u00e9 Fukuoka<\/strong> This week\u2019s Thursday Gathering bridges two dynamic startup scenes\u2014Kumamoto and Fukuoka…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29305,"featured_media":172094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-172093","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","location-tenjin","event-type-seminar","en-US"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/172093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/event"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29305"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172093"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nLocation:<\/strong> ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F SKYLOBBY<\/a>
\nAdmission:<\/strong> Free (registration required)
\nRegistration & details are here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nEvent Highlights (In-person only):<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nKumamoto x Fukuoka x FOOD \u2013 Pitch Session<\/strong>
\nTo mark Kumamoto\u2019s selection as a \u201cNEXT Global Hub City,\u201d this first-time pitch event brings together four startups exploring the future of food. Includes presentations and a collaborative segment with Fukuoka-based startups.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHow to enjoy Thursday Gathering @Sofa<\/strong>
\nNew here? This short and interactive session introduces Thursday Gathering\u2014its purpose, community, and how to connect with others. Ideal for first-timers or anyone curious about the weekly flow.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese and English<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWhy Start Now? A Student’s Leap into J-StarX and Entrepreneurship<\/strong>
\nJ-StarX is a global startup support program by Japan\u2019s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and JETRO. In this session, university student Nariaki Nishimura shares how participating in the program\u2019s \u201cZero to One\u201d track took him from no startup experience to launching his own venture. Learn about his eye-opening international experiences, the challenges and joys of creating something from scratch, and how J-StarX shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.
\nIdeal for those curious about startups, global expansion, or joining J-StarX.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nKumamoto x Fukuoka x FOOD \u2013 Talk Session<\/strong>
\nA deeper conversation with the founders behind the food-themed startups from Kumamoto and Fukuoka. Hear real stories, lessons learned, and how local innovators are reaching global markets.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nF\u2605PITCH Vol.2 \u2013 Global Connect Fukuoka Pitch Event<\/strong>
\nThe second edition of Fukuoka\u2019s flagship pitch event, featuring startup founders and support organizations from inside and outside the region. Expect high-energy pitches and special guests from the VC and accelerator scene.
\nMore info<\/a>
\nIn Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Julian Munro (NUNAI Inc.)
\n\u2013 Kohei Yamamoto (HMS Inc.)
\n\u2013 Ryoji Miyawaki (Aakel Technologies Inc.)
\n\u2013 Toshiyuki Yamamoto (Power Angels Inc.)
\n\u2013 Nobumichi Shinohara (aiESG Inc.)
\n\u2013 Masataka Miyake (U-DAKE Inc.)<\/p>\n
\nLanguages: Japanese and\/or English (varies by session)
\nAll sessions are in-person only. Pre-registration required via the event website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"