Robotics x AI and Enterprises- How Startups and Japanese Corporates Can Work Together and Go Global
Robotics x AI and Enterprise
How Startups and Japanese Corporates Can Work Together and Go Global
Short Description (Luma preview)
A panel discussion bringing together robotics founders, Japanese enterprises, and investors to explore how they can collaborate effectively and scale globally.
Date & Time
February 16 (Monday)
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
About This Event
Japan is home to world-class robotics companies and global manufacturing leaders.
At the same time, many global-minded robotics startups struggle to navigate partnerships with large Japanese enterprises — while corporates are eager to work with startups but face internal processes, procurement challenges, and cultural gaps.
This panel discussion brings together founders, enterprise leaders, investors, and media voices to explore:
Where the biggest gaps actually are
Why collaboration often stalls
What successful startup–enterprise partnerships really look like
How robotics and AI companies can expand globally with Japanese partners
The goal is to create an honest, practical conversation that helps both sides learn how to work together — and win globally.
What You’ll Learn
How robotics startups can partner with Japanese enterprises
What corporates look for when working with startups
How procurement and pilots really work
How successful joint projects are structured
How Japanese companies can support global expansion
How AI is accelerating robotics innovation
Format
🎤 Panel discussion + Q&A + networking
Beginner-friendly, practical, and focused on real experiences.
Speakers & Panelists
Moderator
Tim Romero — The host of Disrupting Japan Podcast, serial entrepreneur, investor
Panelists
Denislav Metodiev — Head of Corporate Strategy & Development, Yanmar
Felix von Drigalski— CTO, Mujin
Aveek Das — Co-founder & CTO, Guide Robotics
(Final speaker confirmations coming soon.)
Agenda
5:00 pm – Doors open
5:50 pm – Opening & greetings
Venue sponsor Antler Japan's 5 minutes pitch
Organizer greeting — Kaori Rei Host of AI Founders' Mindset Podcast / Community
Event sponsor welcome
Quick panelist introductions
6:10 pm – Panel discussion
6:30 pm – Audience Q&A
6:50 pm – Networking
7:50 pm – Wrap-up & venue closing prep
8:00 pm – Venue closes
Who Should Attend
Robotics and AI startup founders
Engineers and product leaders
Japanese enterprise innovation teams
Corporate venture arms
Investors interested in robotics
Anyone curious about startup–enterprise collaboration
Hosted by
Kaori Rei
AI Founders’ Mindset / Community
Connecting founders, enterprises, and investors across Japan and globally. Organizing hackathons for AI builders with corporations. Our podcast has 100k subscribers.
Venue Sponsor: Antler Japan
About Antler
Antler is where founders come to go further, faster.
Antler is the world’s most active early-stage investor, backing exceptional people at the very start of their journey and supporting them from inception to scale. Across 30 cities worldwide, including New York, San Francisco, London, Berlin, Bangalore, Singapore, Seoul, and Sydney, the firm helps founders remove the barriers to building by connecting them with world-class peers, validating business models, and providing initial capital. For founders who go on to build breakout companies, Antler Elevate, the firm’s flagship, emerging growth fund invests beyond the early stages.
To date, Antler has backed more than 1,600 startups globally across a wide range of industries and technologies with the goal of backing more than 6,400 by 2030.
Antler Japan is now accepting founder applications for its 6th Inception Program which will begin on May 11, 2026. https://www.antler.co/residency/japan