CIC Tokyo （ケンブリッジ・イノベーション・センター東京）

🤝 CIC Japan is proud to be an official ecosystem partner of VivaTech — Europe’s biggest startup and tech event, taking place in Paris from June 17 to 20, bringing together investors, corporates, and innovators from around the world. You'll also be able to meet CIC Catalyst representatives there! Startups can now apply to the VivaTech Startup Challenges & Awards — a unique opportunity to tackle real business challenges, collaborate with leading companies, and gain international recognition. By participating, you’ll have the chance to: • Showcase your solution to leading investors and corporate leaders • Expand your network with C‑level executives • Increase your startup’s visibility on a global stage • Pitch your solution in front of key industry players The Challenges & Awards highlight major global tech shifts, such as: 💻 Building the future of cloud and digital infrastructure 🌏 Driving sustainable and energy-efficient innovation 🧑💻 Accelerating AI-driven transformation 💪 Empowering the next generation of women founders  🚀 Unlocking innovation potential across Africa 👉 Check the Challenges & Awards and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e3zXRdms Don’t miss this chance to take your startup to the next level!

🎉 CIC Fukuoka 1st Anniversary Celebration (Thu, April 23) | Featured Startup Pitch Sessions: 🌏 Kyushu & Global Startup Pitch Startups from Kyushu, Yamaguchi, and Okinawa, as well as founders from overseas, will take the stage representing a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. Discover the challenges being pursued by regionally rooted startups, alongside presentations from international entrepreneurs bringing global insight through the Manabu Hub Demo Day & Light Talk. ▶️ Global Founder Pitch (Manabu Hub Demo Day & Light Talk) | 18:30–19:30 @ 7F CIC Fukuoka ▶️ Kyushu, Yamaguchi & Okinawa Startup Pitch | 18:00–19:15 @ 6F SKY LOBBY 📍 ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. in Tenjin, Fukuoka. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g_FWAB4T #CICFukuoka #Startups #GlobalStartups #KyushuStartup #OpenInnovation #ThursdayGathering

🎉 CIC Fukuoka 1st Anniversary Celebration (Thu, April 23) | Featured Ecosystem Pitch Sessions: 💡 VC Reverse Pitch & Government Reverse Pitch Where do meaningful partnerships between startups, investors, and public sector leaders begin? In these sessions, venture capital firms and local governments will share what they are looking for in startup collaborations, offering insight into investment priorities, regional initiatives, and where new partnerships can take shape. ▶️ Government Reverse Pitch | 18:00–19:00 @ 7F CIC Fukuoka ▶️ VC Reverse Pitch | 17:30–18:00 @ 6F SKY LOBBY 📍 ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. in Tenjin, Fukuoka. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g_FWAB4T #CICFukuoka #OpenInnovation #Startups #DeepTech #ThursdayGathering

🎉 CIC Fukuoka 1st Anniversary Celebration (Thu, April 23) | Featured Ecosystem Pitch Sessions: 🚀Corporate Reverse Pitch & Academia Pitch At these sessions, corporate innovation leaders, universities, and research institutions will share: - the types of partners they are looking to connect with - the challenges they hope to tackle through collaboration For startups and entrepreneurs, these sessions offer unique opportunities to spark new partnerships and potential PoC projects! ▶️ Academia Pitch | 16:30–17:30 @ 7F CIC Fukuoka ▶️ Corporate Reverse Pitch | 16:30–17:45 @ 6F SKY LOBBY 📍ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. in Tenjin, Fukuoka. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g_FWAB4T #CICFukuoka #OpenInnovation #Startups #DeepTech #ThursdayGathering

🌸 Celebrating 1 Year of Innovation at CIC Fukuoka On April 23rd, we’re excited to bring the startup ecosystem together to celebrate CIC Fukuoka’s 1-year anniversary! Innovation thrives when the right people come together in the same physical space, so join us for an evening where startups, investors, corporates, government, and academia will connect through pitch sessions, networking, and exhibitions—including a special demo table featuring Fukuoka’s leading innovation hubs. The opening session will include remarks and a leadership discussion reflecting on CIC Fukuoka’s first year, while also looking ahead to the future of the region’s startup ecosystem. 🎤Featured leaders from CIC Japan: CIC Japan Chairman, Tak Umezawa Head of Japan Campuses, Minako Hirata CIC Fukuoka General Manager, Masanori Torigoe O-Nexus Site Director, Megumi Ishitobi-Pope 📅 Event Details Date: April 23, 2026 (Thu) Time: 16:00–20:00 (held during Venture Cafe Fukuoka’s Thursday Gathering) Venue: ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. (6F SKY LOBBY & 7F CIC Fukuoka) Details and registration: https://lnkd.in/gxb62XXA Whether you’re a founder, investor, corporate innovator, ecosystem supporter, or anyone interested in the startup ecosystem, we invite you to join us in celebrating the people and momentum behind CIC Fukuoka's growing community! #CICFukuoka #CIC #Fukuoka #innovation

We are excited to share that CIC Fukuoka was recently featured on ReHac9 TV, a program by TV Nishinippon and ReHac Kyushu! 📺 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g5S2DVBN ReHac9 TV is a talk-based program that highlights the business and cultural landscape of Kyushu and Fukuoka through conversations with key voices across the ecosystem. The episode explored a central theme: What makes Fukuoka an attractive place to do business? Representing CIC, Yusuke Matsuo joined the discussion, sharing how community-driven initiatives like Venture Café's Thursday Gathering help foster connections across startups, corporates, and global innovators—creating the conditions for collaboration and new ideas to emerge. He was joined by leaders from CIC Fukuoka resident companies, including Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co.,Ltd, Fukuoka Now Ltd., Tensor Energy, and aiESG, Inc., who shared their perspectives on why they are building in Fukuoka and the unique advantages the city offers. The conversation highlights the growing momentum of Fukuoka as a gateway to Asia and an emerging hub for innovation. We thank the team at TV Nishinippon and ReHac Kyushu for the opportunity to showcase CIC Fukuoka and be part of this conversation!

We are excited to welcome Masanori Torigoe as General Manager of CIC Fukuoka! Under his leadership, the team at CIC Fukuoka will focus on deepening regional collaboration, including new partnerships with Oita Prefecture, and advancing innovation at the intersection of food, agriculture, and technology. With 135 companies currently in residence and plans to expand its global community, CIC Fukuoka continues to build a more connected, resilient innovation ecosystem in Kyushu and beyond. Thank you to Nikkei for highlighting these milestones. Read the article here: https://ow.ly/V01u50YzJf1 CC: CIC Japan

The Japan Times -- main English-language newspaper in Japan -- just published their interview with me on what Japan needs to do to go to the next level in entrepreneurship: https://lnkd.in/gGRbBq34 Want to hear more from me? Check out my podcast: https://lnkd.in/gfyzUGxe CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center)

🌏 Calling All Global AI startups considering the Japanese market! At the Japan Regional Reverse Pitch & Global Startup Showcase (a partner event of SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026), local governments and regions across Japan will present the real challenges they’re actively looking to solve. Instead of the usual format, this puts startups in a position to respond directly to concrete needs—creating a clearer path to collaboration from the start. For those exploring Japan, it’s a chance to: – connect with local decision-makers 🤝 – explore potential PoC opportunities 🚀 – gain early validation in a new market 📊 We’re currently welcoming startups working in areas such as AI, sustainability, mobility, smart cities, food, and tourism. 🔗 More details and application info: https://ow.ly/WLyp50YzwRf (Limited slots remaining!) #CICJapan #STT2026