Tech in Asia Tour’s last stop in Japan will be the capital, of course

Tech in Asia Tokyo 2015 is right around the corner, and we’ve already gone searching for some of Japan’s hottest startups in Osaka and Fukuoka. It only makes sense that we end our domestic pitching events in the Japanese capital. This Thursday, come join entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and tech enthusiasts of all stripes as we watch four up-and-coming Tokyo startups duke it out for a chance to win free access and a startup booth for our main event on September 8 and 9.

Holding down the judging seats are three venture capital heavyweights: Takeshi Ebihara, founding general partner of Rebright Partners; Yuya Takegawa, vice president of CyberAgent Ventures; and Allison Baum, managing director of Fresco Capital. The trio will provide feedback and advice for the pitching startups, and also engage in a panel discussion about how startups can build a global business from Tokyo. Stick around after they crown a winner for snacks, drinks, and a prime networking opportunity.

Free tickets for Thursday’s Road to Tokyo Tour event are still available and can be found here. In line with the event’s focus on going global, our Tokyo event will be held primarily in English.

Location

Microsoft Japan

Shinagawa Grand Central Tower 2-16-3,
Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo,
108-0075 Japan

Seminar Room 31F　Seminar Room C+D

Map here.

Agenda

18:00-18:30: Registration, Networking
18:30-18:40: Opening
18:40-19:10: Panel Discussion
19:10-19:15: Break
19:15-20:15: Startup Demo (5 minute pitch / 5 minute Q&A)
20:15-20:20: Break
20:20-20:30: Winner announcement
20:30-21:30: Networking

Judges

Takeshi Ebihara, founding general partner of Rebright Partners

Ebihara founded Rebright Partners in 2008 as a Southeast Asia-focused venture capital firm. He first started his career in 1994 at JAFCO, one of the largest venture capital firms in Japan. He also has experience on the other side of the table as a former founder and manager of several internet companies. Some of the companies Ebihara managed have been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. He is a mentor at the Founder Institute and a board member of many startup companies in Southeast Asia and Japan.

Yuya Takegawa, vice president of CyberAgent Ventures

Takegawa is the fund manager for CyberAgent Ventures’ “Seed Generator Fund,” focusing on seed-stage startups. Prior to CyberAgent, he led an internet company to exit as CFO and CEO from 2007 to 2012. His investment portfolio includes Kabuku, Okan, YOYO Holdings, Coursebase, Beatrobo, Miil, Piece of Cake, BEC, Coupe, and DogHuggy.

Allison Baum, managing director of Fresco Capital

Baum is a managing partner of Fresco Capital and is involved in all aspects of investment and operations with a specific focus on the education technology sector. Previously, as regional director of Asia at General Assembly, she established and grew the company’s first education programs for technology, business and design in Hong Kong. She originally joined the company during its early stages in New York where she developed and scaled their first long-form, part-time, and immersive courses. Throughout this process, Allison has worked with startups of all sizes across New York, San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

Sae Min Ahn, managing partner of Rakuten Ventures

Saemin Ahn is the Managing Partner at Rakuten Ventures. He is responsible for leading and evaluating investments, conducting due diligence, and analyzing deal structure.

Since Rakuten Venture’s inception, it has made investments ranging from C2C marketplace, payment infrastructure technology, visual search technology to file transfer platforms.

Prior to Rakuten Ventures, Sae was at Google for 5 years from 2008 to 2013 managing Sales and Business Development for Asia. He has extensive experience in Brand Management and Content Distribution from his time in Hyundaicard and Animal Studio, an animation startup.Sae received his B.S. in Business Administration and Broadcasting and Journalism from Sogang University. He likes to write on the topic of business, venture capital and was picked as one of Quora’s Top Writers 2013.