Beyond Borders: Paris to Tokyo - SusHi Tech Paris
Organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), with the support of La French Tech and France Digitale
Japan is a market full of opportunities, but success often requires overcoming unique business and cultural challenges.
Join French startups with firsthand experience in Japan and a Japanese VC for an evening of practical insights, real stories, and networking. Learn what it takes to enter and grow in the Japanese market, and discover startup support opportunities offered by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, including initiatives such as SusHi Tech Tokyo
🗝️ Event Highlights
🌏 Understanding the Japanese Business Environment
Gain practical insights into:
Key characteristics of the Japanese market
Business culture and decision-making processes
Opportunities and challenges for global startups
Effective approaches to entering and scaling in Japan
🎤 Panel Discussion: Real Stories from Those Who Have Done It
Hear directly from startup ecosystem players with firsthand experience in the Japanese market.
🎙️ Featured Panelists
Koshu Kunii
General Partner, OIST-Lifetime Ventures Fund I
Paris-based venture capitalist focused on deeptech and global innovation. Through OIST-Lifetime Ventures, he supports science-driven startups and helps bridge research commercialization, venture investment, and international expansion.
Jerry Yang
General Partner, HCVC
Deeptech investor covering AI, robotics, manufacturing, and frontier technologies. Jerry leads HCVC's engagement with Japan and has actively supported collaborations between European startups, Japanese corporations, investors, and research institutions through initiatives such as the HCVC Tokyo Summit and SusHi Tech Tokyo.
Topics include:
Why Japan became an attractive market opportunity
The biggest barriers encountered when expanding into Japan
How startups overcame cultural, commercial, and operational challenges
Lessons learned from working with Japanese customers, partners, and corporations
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Practical advice for startups considering expansion into Japan
🚀 Learn About Tokyo's Startup Support Programs
Discover how the Tokyo Metropolitan Government supports international startups seeking to establish and grow their presence in Japan.
Learn about:
Market entry supports for global startups
Ecosystem-building initiatives
Opportunities to engage with the global innovation community through SusHi Tech Tokyo
🤝 Networking Reception
Following the panel discussion, participants will have the opportunity to connect with fellow founders, investors, ecosystem organizations, and representatives from Tokyo's innovation community.
Optional speed-dating meetings with Japanese companies may also be available during the networking session.
👥 Who Should Attend?
Startup founders and executive teams
Scaleups exploring international growth especially in Japan
Venture capital investors
Accelerators and incubators
Corporate innovation and business development teams
Universities and research institutions
Ecosystem builders and community leaders
Organizations interested in France-Japan collaboration
📍 Event Details
📅 15 October 2026
🕕 16:00 - 18:00 CET
📍 Paris, France (Venue TBA)
🎟️ Free Admission (Registration Required)