{"id":176430,"date":"2026-03-10T14:43:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T05:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?post_type=event&p=176430&lang=en"},"modified":"2026-03-10T14:43:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T05:43:57","slug":"thursday-gathering-63","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/event\/thursday-gathering-63\/","title":{"rendered":"Thursday Gathering #63: KYUTEC Demo Day, Startup Talent, and a Look Ahead to 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

This edition of Thursday Gathering spotlights the people, ideas, and partnerships shaping Fukuoka\u2019s innovation ecosystem. Hear pitches from emerging ventures, explore how side-job talent can become a core part of startup growth, and join a special conversation on the vision for 2026.
\n\"\"
\nDate and Time:<\/strong> Thursday, March 26, 2026, 17:20 to 19:45
\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

17:20 – 18:10
\nKYUTEC Acceleration Program Demo Day<\/strong>
\nThe KYUTEC Acceleration Program supports seed and early-stage startups in Kyushu and Yamaguchi that are seeking grants and fundraising opportunities. Run by the Fukuoka Financial Group Entrepreneur Development Foundation, the program helps participating companies refine their business plans and strengthen their pitch skills. In this session, selected companies from the 2025 program will present the results of their progress.
\nMore info<\/a>: Japanese<\/p>\n

18:20 – 19:10
\nFrom Side Jobs to Startup Leadership: The Journey to Becoming an Essential Team Member<\/strong>
\nThis session shines a light on professionals who started by supporting startups through side jobs and went on to become trusted, central members of the team. Through real examples, it explores the value these growth-focused professionals bring, how startups can better recognize that potential, and what drives them to take on greater responsibility.
\nMore info<\/a>: Japanese<\/p>\n

19:15 – 19:45
\nSpring Special Session: Venture Caf\u00e9 Fukuoka Advisor Session, Looking Back on 2025 and Ahead to 2026<\/strong>
\nAs the 2025 fiscal year draws to a close and a new year begins, Venture Caf\u00e9 Fukuoka invites its advisory board to reflect on a year of challenge, collaboration, and growth. This special session looks back on how startups, corporations, local governments, and community members helped shape Fukuoka\u2019s startup ecosystem, while also sharing perspectives on new possibilities for 2026. Join the conversation as the community welcomes a new chapter together under the spirit of \u201cThis community is truly yours.\u201d
\nMore info<\/a>: Japanese<\/p>\n

Organized by Venture Caf\u00e9 Fukuoka<\/strong>
\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":"

This edition of Thursday Gathering spotlights the people, ideas, and partnerships shaping Fukuoka\u2019s innovation ecosystem…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30292,"featured_media":176431,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-176430","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\/176430","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=176430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}