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Tomotaka Goji, CEO, Kicks Off the Global Venture Capital Congress (GVCC) Japan/Tokyo 2024 Symposium.
On October 28th, 2024, the "Global Venture Capital Congress (GVCC) Japan/Tokyo 2024 Symposium" took place at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo. Tomotaka Goji, CEO of UTEC, addressed the audience as Chairman of the Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA).
Founded in 2009, GVCC is an international conference that brings together venture capital (VC) and private equity associations from over 30 countries and regions. The congress aims to foster dialogue around challenges facing the VC industry and startup ecosystems. This year, spurred by Japan’s rapid recent growth in VC and its startup ecosystem, the Japan Venture Capital Association hosted the congress in Tokyo for the first time, setting a record for the most associations in attendance with 18 associations from various parts of the globe. Commemorating the first GVCC held in Japan, the symposium also brought together a large gathering of Japanese VCs, corporate VCs (CVCs), and startups.
After Goji’s opening remarks, the event featured a congratulatory speech by Yoji Muto, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and a video message from Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo.
In the first panel discussion titled "Role of VC Association to Accelerate the Startup Ecosystem," moderated by Ken Yasunaga, Founder & Managing Partner of Global Hands-On VC, the panel explored the role of VC association in accelerating startup ecosystems. In addition to Goji, panelists included Bobby Franklin, CEO of National Venture Capital Association from the US; Karin Mayer Rubinstein, CEO of Israel Advanced Technology Industries; and Sunil Mishra, Chairman of Singapore Venture and Private Capital Association.
The second panel discussion titled "Open Innovation and Venturing Activities by Japanese Corporates," moderated by Chiamin Lai, Managing Partner of UB Ventures, featured lively discussions on successful cases of open innovation and CVC activities by major Japanese corporations. Panelists included Gen Tsuchikawa, former CEO of Sony Ventures, George Kellerman; VP and Head of Investment & Acquisitions at Woven by Toyota, and Suguru Yamaryo, President of Itochu Technology Ventures.
Afterwards, startup pitches were delivered by four companies that had received the Nippon Startup Award, including Shinpei Kato, CEO of Tier IV (a UTEC portfolio company). These presentations illustrated the potential for Japanese startups to scale globally, further raising expectations for their future growth.
The symposium served as a valuable stage for global VC industry leaders to connect with Japanese VCs, CVCs, and startups, promoting the development of VC and startup ecosystems both in Japan and worldwide.
Opening Remarks by Goji
Founded in 2009, GVCC is an international conference that brings together venture capital (VC) and private equity associations from over 30 countries and regions. The congress aims to foster dialogue around challenges facing the VC industry and startup ecosystems. This year, spurred by Japan’s rapid recent growth in VC and its startup ecosystem, the Japan Venture Capital Association hosted the congress in Tokyo for the first time, setting a record for the most associations in attendance with 18 associations from various parts of the globe. Commemorating the first GVCC held in Japan, the symposium also brought together a large gathering of Japanese VCs, corporate VCs (CVCs), and startups.
After Goji’s opening remarks, the event featured a congratulatory speech by Yoji Muto, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and a video message from Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo.
Congratulatory Speech by Yoji Muto, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Video Message from Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo
In the first panel discussion titled "Role of VC Association to Accelerate the Startup Ecosystem," moderated by Ken Yasunaga, Founder & Managing Partner of Global Hands-On VC, the panel explored the role of VC association in accelerating startup ecosystems. In addition to Goji, panelists included Bobby Franklin, CEO of National Venture Capital Association from the US; Karin Mayer Rubinstein, CEO of Israel Advanced Technology Industries; and Sunil Mishra, Chairman of Singapore Venture and Private Capital Association.
Panel Discussion I
The second panel discussion titled "Open Innovation and Venturing Activities by Japanese Corporates," moderated by Chiamin Lai, Managing Partner of UB Ventures, featured lively discussions on successful cases of open innovation and CVC activities by major Japanese corporations. Panelists included Gen Tsuchikawa, former CEO of Sony Ventures, George Kellerman; VP and Head of Investment & Acquisitions at Woven by Toyota, and Suguru Yamaryo, President of Itochu Technology Ventures.
Panel Discussion Ⅱ
Afterwards, startup pitches were delivered by four companies that had received the Nippon Startup Award, including Shinpei Kato, CEO of Tier IV (a UTEC portfolio company). These presentations illustrated the potential for Japanese startups to scale globally, further raising expectations for their future growth.
Pitch by Shinpei Kato, CEO of Autonomous Driving Startup Tier IV
The symposium served as a valuable stage for global VC industry leaders to connect with Japanese VCs, CVCs, and startups, promoting the development of VC and startup ecosystems both in Japan and worldwide.
