From Idea to Launch: Building Startups — A Practical Founder Session
ICS Fireside Talk Vol. 3 ✨
Join us for the third edition of the Hitotsubashi ICS Fireside Talk, hosted by the Entrepreneurship Club, featuring our special guest Mr. Peter Deans, startup investor, advisor, and author of Startup Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Founders during his visit to Tokyo for Japan Fintech Week.
In this practical, founder-focused session, Peter will share how entrepreneurs can develop a clear roadmap for launching and scaling a startup. Drawing on insights from his book and decades of experience, he will break down the startup lifecycle into manageable stages, from concept validation and early planning to operational execution and growth.
He will also discuss why having a clear, actionable plan from day one is critical, not only to guide decision-making, but also to attract stakeholders and adapt as the business evolves.
A live Q&A session will follow the talk 💬
Learn more about the book:
📍 Event Details
Date: February 24, 2026
Time: 17:30–19:00 JST
Language: English
Admission: Free
Organizer: Hitotsubashi ICS Entrepreneurship Club
🗓 Timeline
17:30–18:30 | How to Build a Startup: A Step-by-Step Guide for Founders — Peter Deans
18:30–18:45 | Q&A Session
18:45–19:00 | Networking & Social Time 🤝
ℹ️ Important Information
· Please arrive 5–10 minutes early for check-in.
· Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
· Open to students, professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
· Photos may be taken for club activity records.
· If you register but cannot attend, please notify us in advance.
About Peter Deans
Peter Deans is a strategy and risk management advisor with over 30 years of experience in banking and finance. He has advised hundreds of businesses and works with startups and established companies across multiple industries as an investor and strategic advisor.
He is the author of Startup Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Founders (December 2024), published through Gōru, an e-learning and digital publishing platform he founded to support early-stage entrepreneurs.
He is also:
· Founder of Shelf Labs (www.shelflabs.io), a software company focused on SME solutions
· Creator of the 52 Risks® management framework (www.52risks.com)
· An active startup founder and investor
More information: