Speakers
-
Taihei Onishi
stmn, inc.
Taihei Onishi
stmn, inc. CEO
Taihei Onishi is the CEO of stmn, inc., taking the role in January 2023. After graduating from the University of Tsukuba, his career encompasses experience at a major advertising agency and a position as Country Manager for Monstarlab, Inc. in Vietnam, where he helped grow the overseas subsidiary to 200 employees over two years. In 2016, he returned to Japan and founded stmn, inc., initially serving as COO. In this role, he oversaw the company’s flagship business TUNAG and contributed to various strategic initiatives across sales, marketing, design, development, and finance. As CEO, Onishi continues to guide stmn, inc.’s growth while drawing on his international business experience.
-
Takaaki Umada
FoundX,The University of Tokyo
Takaaki Umada
Director of FoundX, The University of Tokyo
Takaaki Umada is a director at FoundX, the official startup accelerator program at the prestigious University of Tokyo. With over a decade of experience supporting software developers and startup founders, Umada brings deep expertise in startup support, including navigating public affairs and regulatory matters.Prior to his current role, Umada held positions at Microsoft Japan as a product manager and evangelist. In 2016, he transitioned to the University of Tokyo, where he founded and led Hongo Tech Garage before launching FoundX in 2019. He is the author of "Paradoxical Startup Thinking," "Successful Entrepreneurs Choose Where to Stay," "Implementing the Future,” “Raising Your Resolution.”
-
Takaoki Goto
SHIZUOKA Prefectural Government
Takaoki Goto
SHIZUOKA Prefectural Government Industrial Innovation Promotion Division / Staff
Joined the Shizuoka Prefectural Government in 2004. Engaged in promoting Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport and supporting the overseas expansion of local companies. Seconded to the Aviation Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism from 2009 to 2011, and to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) from 2016 to 2018. At JETRO, supported the local expansion of Japanese companies at the Hanoi office. Since 2022, has been responsible for managing the TECH BEAT Shizuoka Secretariat and the prefecture-operated innovation hub "SHIP" (Shizuoka Innovation Platform) in the Industrial Innovation Promotion Division.
-
Takashi Okutani
Kokyaku Jikan Inc.
Takashi Okutani
Kokyaku Jikan Inc. CEO & Co-Founder
Omni-Channel & Marketing Specialist. Previously working at MUJI WEB Business Section as General Manager, produced Digital CRM App called MUJI passport & create global CRM Platform. Also, launch several oversea MUJI EC platforms. Currently working at Oisix.ra.daichi Inc as Chief Omni-Channel Officer. Also, from 2018, launched DX consulting company called Kokyaku Jikan Inc.
-
Takayuki Fukatsu
THE GUILD inc.
Takayuki Fukatsu
CEO of THE GUILD inc.
After working at tha Ltd., he became active in the Flash community.Since becoming independent in 2009, he has shifted his focus to UI design for smartphone apps, and founded Art & Mobile Inc. and the creative firm THE GUILD.Currently, he serves as CXO of note, an AI strategy advisor for Yokosuka City, and provides business advisory services across various fields.His recent publications include "Mastering ChatGPT! The Fukatsu Method Prompt Reader" and "Anticipating IT × Business: Image Generation AI".
-
Takeshi Hakamada
ispace, inc.
Takeshi Hakamada
CEO ＆ founder of ispace, inc.
Inspired by Star Wars as a child, Takeshi Hakamada set out to pursue a life focused on space exploration. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, where he was involved in the conceptual design of next-generation aerospace systems. Starting in 2010, while working for a management consulting firm, he worked part-time to lead the Japanese team, HAKUTO, one of the finalists for the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition, and changed the team’s management to ispace, inc. As Founder & CEO of ispace, Takeshi has raised record fundraising for the company and is now leading a multinational commercial lunar exploration program, known as HAKUTO-R. An active proponent for the commercial space industry, Takeshi is guiding ispace to continuously challenge itself to enable humans to establish a sustainable ecosystem between the Earth and the Moon by unlocking the utilization of space resources.
-
Takeshi Isaku
Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. / Musashi Innovation Lab Clue.
Takeshi Isaku
Managing Executive Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. / Head of Musashi Innovation Lab Clue.
Spent 18 years stationed in the U.S. after joining Musashi, primarily responsible for sales to automotive OEMs. Returned to Japan in 2010 and oversaw group-wide sales before taking charge of new business development as Chief Innovation Officer in 2019. Established joint ventures such as MusashiAI, 634AI (Israel), and Waphyto, actively leading business expansion as a board member.As Head of Clue, involved in launching and accelerating internal ventures, as well as driving innovation from regional initiatives. As CVC Director, executed over 15 investments in startups and venture capital firms in Israel, Silicon Valley, Canada, Japan, and other regions, promoting Open Innovation. Currently focusing on expanding Green Tech businesses in Africa through investments in startups in Kenya and Ethiopia.
-
Takeuchi Sumiko
IEEI / U3Innovations, LLC
Takeuchi Sumiko
Member, Board of Directors, IEEI / Co-Founder and Co-President of U3Innovations, LLC
Ph.D in Engineering.After working Tokyo Electric Power Co.mainly in the environmental sector, she became independent researcher in 2012. She has participated in the UNFCCC negotiation process (COP) for more than 15 years , and has been engaged in research and proposal of environmental and energy policies.Founded U3 Innovations LLC in October 2018 with the aim of collaborating with startups to realize “Utility 3.0” as a new social system. She works on energy and environmental issues from both policy advocacy and business/investment perspectives.
-
Tomoki Akutsu
TOUCH TO GO Co., Ltd.
Tomoki Akutsu
TOUCH TO GO Co., Ltd. CEO
Joined JR East in 2004; in charge of establishing JR East Startup Corporation, a corporate venture capital funded 100% by JR East in February 2018.In July 2019, he established a company as the representative of TOUCH TO GO Co Ltd, a JV with Signpost Co Ltd, to open an unmanned AI payment shop in Takanawa GW in March 2020, and to promote the introduction of unmanned payment shop systems to FamilyMart, ANA FESTA and other stores to solve social issues such as labour shortages.
-
Tomonori Iwata
Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.
Tomonori Iwata
Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd. Business Creation Dept./General Manager
After joining Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd. in 2000, engaged in group business management, consolidated accounting, and fundraising.Since 2017, involved in new business development, leading the establishment of Meitetsu Drone Academy and promoting co-creation with startups.Since 2023, in the current position, managing Meitetsu Open Innovation Lab.
-
Toshio Sumi
CITY of NAGOYA
Toshio Sumi
Director Startup Support Division, Innovation Promotion Department Economic Affairs Bureau, CITY of NAGOYA
After joining the Nagoya City government in 1998, I worked on industrial development in the Economic Affairs Bureau following my duty at Nagoya City University.I managed incubation facilities and engaged in university-industry collaboration office work. Starting with “Robo Cup 2017 Nagoya Japan”, I supported robotics and AI-related projects in the area of verification tests for advanced technologies.In 2018, I proposed the "Nagoya Innovation Strategy" to advance the establishment of "NAGOYA INNOVATOR'S GARAGE" and "NAGONO CAMPUS".I am managing a couple of startup projects as the first director of the startup support division, while also working as a member of the staff office at the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Consortium.
-
Takehiro Ueda
Author
Takehiro Ueda
Author
Born in 1979 in Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Waseda University, he participated in the launch of a corporate solutions company and continued writing while serving as an executive. In 2013, he made his debut by winning the 45th Shincho Newcomer Award for "Taiyo" (The Sun). In 2015, he won the 28th Yukio Mishima Prize for "My Lover." In 2016, he was selected as one of GRANTA magazine's Best of Young Japanese Novelists. In 2018, he received the 68th Minister of Education's Newcomer Award for Fine Arts for Towers and Gravity. In 2019, he won the 160th Akutagawa Prize for "Nimrod." In 2022, he received the 46th Kawabata Yasunari Literary Award for "Without Travel." In 2024, he won the 30th Shimase Award for Love Stories for Beloved. His works include The Sun and Planets, My Lover, Friends from a Foreign Land, Towers and Gravity, Nimrod, Cue, Without Travel, Lack of Gravity, Beloved, K+ICO, and The Story of the Multi-Headed Beast.
