
Tech in Asia Tokyo is just around the corner with two weeks left to go. This third weekly roundup brings to you a roundup of all the news you need to know about the most exciting tech conference to hit Japan this September.
Speakers
Lessons learned from Gigaom and the role of media in 2015 – Om Malik
Om Malik, founder of Gigaom will make his inaugural appearance at a Tech in Asia conference when he sits down for a fireside chat at Tech in Asia Tokyo 2015. The chat will be an open look at his journey with the company and what the shuttering of established tech blog Gigaom spells for the rest of the digital publishing community.
500 stories with Dave McClure – Dave McClure
500 Startups has become one of the most recognizable brands in the tech world, but how did Dave McClure build a firm that’s surpassed its name? Join us for a sneak peek into the method behind the madness as Dave shares an insider’s look at the makings of a venture capital firm, important funding trends and his own power rankings.
William Saito, Gen Isayama, Akiko Naka, James Riney – The panel without fear
At the Tech in Asia Tokyo conference, you will probably hear many inspiring accounts of personal journeys and success stories. You won’t hear that at this session. Instead, be prepared to hear some hard truths and unpopular opinions as this panel featuring an all-star lineup of entrepreneurs and investors will discuss the most burning and controversial topics facing Asia’s tech.
Startup Investor Speed Dating
With the exclusive opportunity to meet investors in quick succession and hopefully strike a deal or two, it’s not hard to see why startups regard Speed Dating as one of the must-go activities of the conference. We’ve brought together 46 high profile investors to hear out your brilliant business ideas; the stage is now yours to take.
Do keep in mind some of these pointers as you prepare for this important meeting!
In this week’s edition, we’ve further honed in on what three more of our investors at the Speed Dating segment are looking out for.
1. DeNA
www.dena.com
DeNA is a top mobile gaming and EC company based in Japan that develops and operates a broad range of mobile and online services including games, e-commerce and entertainment content distribution in Japan and globally. Valued at over US$3 billion, DeNA has a headcount of 2,000 and invests in startups from around the world. If you think your startup has huge growth potential, you might just be the one DeNA is looking for.
Its preferred investment range is US$50K and up.
DeNA is looking for startups in the following verticals:
Mobile, ecommerce, gaming, hardware, wearables, marketplace, C2C, B2B, social enterprises, payments, education, greentech, edutech, adtech. Don’t belong in the above categories but think your startup has growth potential? Hit DeNA up anyway.
2. ventureLab
www.venturelab.com
ventureLab helps entrepreneurs build and scale early-stage startups across multiple markets globally through access to seed funds, business resources and global relationships. It provides funding and actively build alongside founding teams in alignment with co-investors and market partners to drive rapid growth and measurable success.
Its preferred investment range is below US$500K.
It is looking for startups in the following verticals:
Mobile, ecommerce, marketplace, C2C, B2B, payments, education, edutech, adtech
3. Golden Gate Ventures
www.goldengateventures.com
Golden Gate Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm investing across Asia with a focus on Southeast Asia – it has invested in over 25 companies since 2011. With its regional footprint, Golden Gate Ventures are well equipped to help startups expand into other markets within the region.
Its preferred investment range is below US$500K and up.
It is looking for startups in the following verticals:
Mobile, ecommerce, wearables, marketplace, C2C, B2B, payments, adtech
Office Hours
Following the same format as Speed Dating, startups will also have the opportunity to speak with corporations like Sony, Kao and ICMG in a rapid-fire pattern. Office Hours is a great way for startups to get feedback on business ideas and plant the first seeds of a potential partnership.
Night Crawl
For the first time in Tokyo, days at the Tech in Asia conference won’t end with the arrival of nightfall. The latest addition to our conference, Night Crawl gives you a great excuse to catch up with the new acquaintances you’ve met in the day and the opportunity to know them beyond their names and designations.
Night Crawl will take place after hours on both days of the conference in the city’s coolest bars so make sure to clear your schedule on the evenings of September 8 and 9! More details to come soon.
Do note that Night Crawl is an event exclusive to Tech in Asia Tokyo conference attendees, and not open to the public.
Get your passes today
Join us on September 8 and 9 at the most exciting event for Japan’s tech industry this year. Get your passes today and take ten percent off with the code tiatokyo10
See also:
Weekly roundup #1
Weekly roundup #2
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Editing by Charlie Custer
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