![\"Thursday](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fn_tg40_2025_cl-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C787&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nEntrepreneurship meets digital transformation at this week\u2019s Thursday Gathering. Experience live pitches from the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Japan Kyushu finalists and discover how Kumamoto startups are driving AI and DX to the global stage.<\/p>\n
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Date and Time:<\/strong> Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, 16:00 to 20:00 15:55 \u2013 20:00 16:00 \u2013 16:50 Finalists: 17:00 \u2013 17:15 17:30 \u2013 17:50 18:30 \u2013 19:20 19:30 \u2013 20:20 Organized by<\/strong>: Venture Caf\u00e9 Fukuoka Entrepreneurship meets digital transformation at this week\u2019s Thursday Gathering. Experience live pitches from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29305,"featured_media":173236,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-173235","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","location-tenjin","event-type-community","event-type-seminar","en-US"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/173235","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=173235"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173235"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173235"}],"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
\nNetworking<\/strong>
\nEach Thursday Gathering includes dedicated networking time, with up to three complimentary drinks (beer or soft drinks). Meet speakers, entrepreneurs, and fellow attendees in a relaxed environment designed to spark conversation and collaboration.
\nMore info<\/a>: In English and Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Japan \u2013 Kyushu Regional Finals<\/strong>
\nHear live pitches from the \u201cChallenging Spirit\u201d category finalists as they compete to represent Kyushu at the national finals in Tokyo this December. A rare opportunity to see leading entrepreneurs from the region present their visions on stage.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Yuta Ibaraki, CEO, Anddotnet Inc.
\n\u2022 Kaoru Hattori, CEO, HATSUTORI Inc.
\n\u2022 Tetsuo Moriyama, President & CEO, Carbon Xtract Inc.
\nMore info<\/a>: In Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHow to Enjoy Thursday Gathering<\/strong>
\nAn interactive orientation session introducing the purpose and mission of Thursday Gathering, how the community is built, and ways to get the most value from attending. Ideal for first-time participants.
\nMore info<\/a>: In English & Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Japan \u2013 Kyushu Regional Finals (Part 2)<\/strong>
\nThe finalist presentations continue, followed by the announcement of the Kyushu representative advancing to the national competition in Tokyo.
\nFinalists and Judges: Same as above.
\nMore info<\/a>: In Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nKumamoto x DX x AI \u2013 Part 1: Pitch Event<\/strong>
\nFollowing Kumamoto\u2019s recent designation as a \u201cNEXT Global Startup Hub City,\u201d four startups present pitches on the theme of AI and digital transformation. This session highlights bold ideas and collaborations between Kumamoto and Fukuoka-based innovators.
\nMore info<\/a>: In Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nKumamoto x DX x AI \u2013 Part 2: Talk Session<\/strong>
\nA discussion session with entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders exploring how Kumamoto startups can leverage AI and DX to scale globally. Gain fresh insights into the future of innovation emerging from Kyushu.
\nMore info<\/a>: In Japanese<\/em><\/p>\n
\nLanguages<\/strong>: Japanese and\/or English (varies by session)
\n<\/strong>All sessions are in-person only. Pre-registration required via the event website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"