[FULLY BOOKED] Bridging the Gap Between International Startups & Japanese Companies: A Fireside Chat

​Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Time: 18:30 - 20:30
Venue: The ACCJ Tokyo Office Board Room
Speakers:
Allison Baum, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Fresco Capital
Taro Kodama, Japan Country Manager, Kickstarter; Founder/CEO, AnchorStar
Hosting Committees: 
Alternative Investment Committee
Women in Business Committee
Member Fee: ¥2,700
Guest Fee: ¥3,700
Meal: Light Refreshments 
Sign-up: ACCJ Member Data Center [FULLY BOOKED]  
Registration/Cancellation Deadline: Friday, January 19, 12:00

Event Overview:

Technology startups are solving some of today’s most critical challenges in areas like education, the future of jobs, and healthcare.  However, as they begin to scale their solutions abroad, startups are often faced with barriers to entry, such as cultural differences, product localization, opening a new office, and making their first hires. While these teams may be rich in innovative ideas, they are often poor in resources, and end up losing valuable time and money if they take the wrong approach to expanding into new markets. 

Facing disruption from both technology and globalization, large Japanese corporations are now waking up to the opportunity of investing in and partnering with foreign startups.  However rich in resources they may be, most still face the same challenges when dealing with foreign founders, new business models, and bridging cultural divides between established and the emerging ecosystems.

Allison Baum of global VC Fresco Capital and Taro Kodama of Anchorstar have partnered to create bridges that connect like-minded Japanese corporations and overseas companies as they develop new startup ventures.  Japan is an advanced economy struggling with key challenges such as a deflationary economy, a rapidly aging population, and an impending automation of the workforce. This environment presents a promising market opportunity for companies addressing problems in healthcare, education and workplaces of the future.

Come to learn how these partners are working with Japanese companies to understand the challenges and generate opportunities to work with overseas startups. See what it takes to provide growth support to new business projects of various Japanese companies as well as support to overseas enterprises in Japan. 

To learn more about Allison Baum, please click here. 
To learn more about Taro Kodama, please click here. 

Frank Packard, Chair
Jenifer Rogers, Christopher P. Wells, Vice-Chairs
ACCJ Alternative Investment Committee

Ryann Thomas, Chair
Elizabeth Handover, Deborah Hayden, Jiana Leung, Tomoka Miho, Makiko Tachimori, Yoshiko Zoet-Suzuki, Zane Zumbahlen, Vice-Chairs 
ACCJ Women in Business Committee 

NOTE 1: This event is ON THE RECORD.

NOTE 2: If you cancel after the stated deadline, the full meeting fee will be charged to your account. Sorry, no substitutions or walk-ins.