Co-Creating Scalable Social Impact: AI, Open Innovation & Impact Capital in Japan
This session explores how artificial intelligence, collaborative innovation, and aligned capital can converge to create scalable social impact in Japan. As the country faces structural challenges such as demographic shifts, sustainability pressures, and evolving workforce dynamics, meaningful solutions require coordinated effort across sectors.
The discussion will focus on how co-creation between startups, corporates, academia, investors, and communities can drive practical AI-driven solutions. It will examine how open innovation accelerates development beyond organizational silos and how impact capital enables long-term sustainability without compromising mission integrity.
Designed as a strategic ecosystem dialogue rather than a promotional event, this session brings together leaders from entrepreneurship, academia, and venture capital to explore how technology, collaboration, and investment structures can collectively generate measurable societal value.
Session Speakers
1. Dr. Joe Hug
Bio:
Dr. Joe Hug is an accomplished entrepreneur, educator, and strategic advisor with over 15 years of international business experience. After beginning his career in U.S. military healthcare, he transitioned into consulting, where his firm delivers cross-cultural strategy planning and executive training programs to leading multinational corporations in Tokyo.
Academically, he has taught at institutions including New York University (NYU), the University of Tokyo, and Tokyo Medical and Dental University. He is currently a full-time Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship at iU University and serves as an adjunct professor for the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) MBA program and Hosei University's GMBA program. His work bridges entrepreneurship, global strategy, and ecosystem development.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joehug/
2. Erdinç Ekinci
Bio:
Erdic Ekinci is a startup ecosystem leader and venture advocate operating across Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. He leads Openfor.co, Co-Capital, and Founder Institute Japan/Korea/Taiwan, focusing on entrepreneurship development, pre-seed venture capital, startup ecosystem growth, and strategic partnerships.
His work centers on empowering early-stage founders, strengthening cross-border innovation networks, and aligning capital with scalable startup development. He actively supports initiatives that bridge entrepreneurship, investment, and collaborative ecosystem building.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erdincekinci/
3. Sarah Ju-En Tan
Sarah Tan is an award-winning Product and UX Designer who has designed experiences for Google, Meta, Adobe, Atlassian, and more. Recognised with over eight tech awards, including B&T’s 30 Under 30 and the Global Top 100 Women in Emerging Tech, she specialises in designing for AR, VR, and AI. She has spoken at more than 20 global conferences including SXSW and the Global AI Summit. Her work has also been featured in Forbes, ABC, SBS, and The Australian, reflecting her passion for innovation and advancing emerging technologies.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahtannn
Moderator: Mir Farhan Morshed
Farhan Morshed is an AI entrepreneur and product builder based in Japan, working at the intersection of technology, education, and social impact. He is the Founder of Cognisor AI, an AI development and automation studio that builds AI agents, intelligent products, and workflow automation solutions for startups and organizations.
He is also the Founder of Ujjibon, Bangladesh’s first AI-powered career guidance platform, focused on bridging the gap between education and employment through data-driven assessments, upskilling pathways, and job-matching intelligence. Farhan actively leads innovation programs and cross-border initiatives, with a long-term vision of making AI practical, ethical, and accessible for youth and emerging markets.
Who Should Join?
AI & impact startup founders
Corporate innovation & ESG leaders
Impact investors & venture capitalists
University researchers & academia
Government & policy stakeholders
Students, builders & ecosystem enablers