Puget Sound Meets Japan: A Cross-Border Founder Session
This private gathering brings together a visiting delegation of young entrepreneurs (ages 18–29) from Japan and a hand-selected group of founders from Sound Startups for a closed-door morning of candid conversation, cross-border learning, and mutual exchange between the Puget Sound and the Japanese startup ecosystems.
Sponsored by the City of Tokyo, the delegation was selected from over 200 applicants across Japan. Their mission: experience the Seattle startup scene firsthand, benchmark it against their home ecosystem, and build the strength to compete globally.
Sound Startups panelists will share how they got started, the challenges they faced, and the moments that shaped their companies. In turn, two selected delegation founders will pitch their ventures for live feedback. Together, both sides will explore what it takes to build and sustain a successful startup as a young founder with a global perspective.
Attendance is limited to the delegation, our featured panelists, and the organizing teams—creating an intimate setting where every conversation counts.
🗓️ Schedule & Agenda
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Morning Networking
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Founder Panel Discussion
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Delegation Pitches (Feedback from Panelists)
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunch & Informal Chats
🎙️ Featured Panel & Moderator
Moderated by: Susie Nakamura
Our panel brings together young founders selected in partnership with Sound Startups to explore:
How It All Started: The leap from idea to company—first steps, first customers, and the realities of the earliest days.
Challenges & Turning Points: Honest stories of setbacks, pivots, and the hard-won lessons that shaped their journeys.
U.S. × Japan Perspectives: Comparing what it means to be a young entrepreneur in each ecosystem—and building the strength to compete globally.
Invite-only. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided!