Fintech Japan meetup with Makoto Shibata (Japan's Fintech Godfather)
Japan's Fintech Godfather Comes to Vancouver
Makoto Shibata — Head of FINOLAB, Tokyo's premier fintech innovation hub — is visiting Vancouver and wants to meet local founders, investors, and tech professionals.
As the chief architect of Japan's largest fintech ecosystem (57+ startups, 31+ corporate members, 800+ individual members), Makoto has spent two decades at the intersection of financial institutions and emerging technology — first leading digital innovation at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and now connecting startups with corporate partners to build the future of financial services across Asia.
He's a regular on international stages including the Singapore FinTech Festival, has been featured by the Government of Japan as a voice for the country's fintech ambitions, and is widely regarded as one of Japan's most influential figures in financial innovation.
Now he wants to hear from you — what's happening in Vancouver's startup scene, and where the opportunities are to connect across the Pacific.
Who Should Attend
This is for you if you're working in fintech, SaaS, AI, or any startup thinking about the Japan and Asia-Pacific market. It's also a great fit if you're simply curious about what's driving financial innovation in one of the world's largest economies. Come with questions — this is a conversation, not a lecture.
Program
5:00 PM — Doors Open & Welcome, networking
5:20 PM - A few announcements
5:30 PM — Makoto Shibata: The State of Fintech in Japan. A compact presentation covering the trends, deals, and opportunities shaping Japan's fintech landscape right now — from the cashless economy push and corporate venture capital to the untapped potential of an aging society.
5:45 PM — Open Conversation & Networking, Informal discussion and one-on-one time with Makoto and other attendees. Refreshments provided.
5:45 - 6:30 PM - Networking
6:30 PM — Close
Your Hosts
Makoto Shibata — Head & CCO, FINOLAB Inc. Former Head of Global Innovation at MUFG. Managing Director of FINOLAB since its 2019 incorporation. Two decades in digital banking, open innovation, and startup-corporate collaboration. MSc Economics, University of Oxford.
Hiroki Kudo (MC) — Founder, CloudCost / Merrybiz / Vancouver Venture Asset Management. Serial entrepreneur bridging Japan and Canada. Co-founder of Locondo (TSE-listed), co-founder of the Fintech Association of Japan, ex-IBM Japan, INSEAD MBA. Co-chair of ClimateGlobal, Vancouver's international cleantech conference.
Pete Young — Founder, Young Guns Studio Taiwanese-Canadian artist, educator, and venue host. Pete founded Young Guns in 2008 and has helped students earn 900+ university acceptances and over $10M in scholarships. He's generously opening the studio doors for this event.
Udbhav Kansal — Founder. An award-winning builder and serial problem solver. He builds communities and brings founders, operators, and investors into the same room through hackathons, founder dinners, and workshops. He is driven by a simple vision: grow ecosystems and spark the connections that create real value.
Venue
Young Guns Studio 2239 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3W6
A Few Notes
Refreshments will be provided.
The timetable may shift as the date approaches — we'll update the page with any changes.
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