​UPDATE: Due to unfortunate circumstances, this event is now online only.

​With over 1.5 trillion yen in "dry powder", Japanese VCs and CVCs are increasingly looking towards foreign shores for promising investment opportunities, including Finland.

​But Japanese VCs and CVCs can often be quite different in their approaches compared to western ones with regards to their scope and involvement. Additionally, especially on the CVC side, Japanese investment can help startups reach new markets thanks to support from the parent organisation.

​Understanding the differences in approach, mentality, and support offered can help you decide if Japanese investors are right for you, and how you should go about engaging with them if they are.

​In this breakfast panel discussion hosted jointly by the Finland-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Northlink Partners you'll get to hear from real Japanese investors and experts in Japanese VC & CVC about how they operate, what they typically are looking for, and what are some cultural differences that startups should be mindful of when engaging with Japanese investors.

​The session, open to both FJCC members and non-members, will be held both in-person as well as online via Zoom webinar. Those who sign up to attend online will be sent an invite to join the Zoom webinar 24 hours before the event.

​To attend, we kindly ask you to sign up with the relevant ticket.

​​Schedule:

​08:45 Doors Open

​09:00 Session Begins

​10:30 Session Ends

​​Speakers:

• ​Shinya Kasuga, General Partner – IT-Farm

  • ​Ex-Founder & current VC investor with experience in international business development

• ​Niklas Tawast, Principal & Venture Capitalist – Digital Garage

  • ​Long-time resident of Japan currently engaged in VC and with experience in international business development

• ​David Del Blanco, IPO Exited Founder & Private Investor in Japan

  • ​Multiple exits in Japan & experience in supporting European Startups in Japan

• ​Noriyuki Ito, Venture Capitalist – SBI Invest

  • ​Japanese investor with experience overseas

• ​Naoki Kamimaeda, Venture Partner – IQ Capital

  • ​Experienced investor with a long history in advising Japan-Europe matters

​Moderator:

• ​Mikael Malmivaara, Co-Founder & Managing Partner – Northlink Partners

  • ​Experienced in building bridges between Japanese Corporates, C/VC's, and Startups with the Finnish innovation ecosystem

​​About FJCC:

​The Finland-Japan Chamber of Commerce (FJCC) is dedicated to strengthening economic ties, facilitating business opportunities, and promoting mutual understanding between Finland and Japan.

​They support their members through networking, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing to drive sustainable growth in both markets.

​​About Northlink Partners:

​Northlink Partners is a boutique Nordic-Japan one-stop consultancy offering a broad portfolio of advisory services for organisations in Japan and the Nordics.

​With over a decade of combined experience in Nordic-Japan relations and a solid network of contacts across both regions, Northlink stands ready to advise and accompany clients in any number of engagements. Their clients include startups, corporations, academic institutions, government actors, and investors looking for connections, opportunities, and support.