![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/fn_tg62_2026_cl.jpg?resize=930%2C520&ssl=1\")
\nDate and Time:<\/strong> Thursday, March 19, 2026, 16:00 to 20:00
\nLocation:<\/strong> ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F SKYLOBBY
\nAdmission:<\/strong> Free (registration required)
\nRegistration & details:<\/strong> Event website<\/a> (Japanese)<\/p>\n
Event Highlights (In-person only):<\/h3>\n
16:05 \u2013 16:35 16:40 \u2013 17:30 17:40 \u2013 18:20 18:25 \u2013 19:00 19:00 \u2013 20:00 Organized by Venture Caf\u00e9 Fukuoka<\/strong> This week\u2019s Thursday Gathering spotlights founders, innovators, and next-generation business leaders shaping the future of Fukuoka\u2019s startup…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30292,"featured_media":176429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-176428","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","location-chuo-ku","location-fukuoka-city","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\/176428","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\/30292"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176428"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nThe Journey of Yatsuhashi: Tradition and the Future<\/strong>
\nKanako Suzuka, President of Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten<\/strong>, shares how she is guiding the 300-year-old Kyoto confectionery company into a new era. From launching the modern \u201cnikiniki\u201d brand to reimagining a historic product for today\u2019s market, the talk explores innovation within long-established businesses.
\nMore info<\/a>: Japanese<\/p>\n
\nAtotsugi & Sasshin Venture Program \u2013 Results Presentation<\/strong>
\nThis session presents outcomes from the Atotsugi & Sasshin Venture Support Program<\/strong>, which helps small and medium-sized businesses launch new ventures using existing resources or by entering new fields. Discover how participating companies are developing new business models and driving regional innovation.
\nMore info<\/a>: Japanese<\/p>\n
\nWhen Ecosystems Move: Fukuoka\u2019s Innovation Moment<\/strong>
\nTim Rowe<\/strong>, Founder and Executive Chairman of CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center)<\/strong> and Chair of Venture Caf\u00e9 Global Institute<\/strong>, shares insights on how startup ecosystems grow and connect globally. Drawing on experience from Kendall Square and other global innovation hubs, he examines Fukuoka\u2019s current position and its potential for future growth.
\nMore info<\/a>: Japanese<\/p>\n
\nISSIN Startup Acceleration Program \u2013 Demo Presentations<\/strong>
\nMeet four startups from the Fukuoka Prefecture Startup Acceleration Program \u201cISSIN.\u201d<\/strong> Presentations include AI-powered solar energy optimization (Tensor Energy), AI-based ESG analysis (aiESG), rapid on-site diagnostic technology for infectious diseases and environmental risks (HaKaL), and AI and quantum computing services through the MAGELLAN BLOCKS platform<\/strong> (Groovenauts).
\nMore info<\/a>: Japanese<\/p>\n
\nNetworking Reception<\/strong>
\nMeet founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders and continue the conversation over drinks.
\nParticipation fee: \u00a53,000 (advance registration required).<\/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":"