Global Startup Ecosystem Meeting - Special Edition
Global Startup Ecosystem Meeting - Special Edition
（English follows）
日本のスタートアップ向けに各国大使館や商工会による支援を一挙に知る機会を提供します。
各国による日本のスタートアップ向けの支援は数多く存在しますが、情報がまとまっておらず、活用できるはずのスタートアップが「実は知らなかった」となることも多いのが現状です。
本イベントではスタートアップ向けの海外進出支援プログラムやスタートアップが参加できるイベントを実施する各国政府機関・大使館の担当者を招き、それぞれの国でのビジネス展開支援策（渡航・滞在費補助、ソフトランディングプログラム、現地アクセラレータ、マッチング機会など）を紹介いただくMeetupになります。
参加するスタートアップは、国別に異なる支援制度を比較・理解し、具体的なビジネス展開・リソース活用の第一歩を踏み出すことができます。セッション終了後には各国代表者とのネットワーキングも実施。海外展開に関心のあるスタートアップとの実質的な接点を創出する場にぜひご参加ください。
こんな方におすすめ
・海外展開を検討している日本のスタートアップ
・支援機関、アクセラレーター、VC、メディアなど
・その他、日本のスタートアップ関係者
◆イベント概要
Global Startup Ecosystem Meeting - Special Edition
日時：2026年9月30日 14:00-18:00
会場：Tokyo Innovation Base 1F Square-2
登壇者：各国大使館・商工会議所・貿易投資促進機関の担当者
主催：一般社団法人スタートアップエコシステム協会
14:00 – 14:15 開会・趣旨説明
主催者挨拶、本イベントの背景と目的
14:15 – 15:45 各国プレゼンテーション（各国7- 10分
大使館・商工会議所・貿易投資促進機関による海外展開支援の紹介（想定：6〜10カ国）
15:45 – 16:00 休憩
16:00 – 17:30 ブース形式ネットワーキング
各国担当者との個別相談・名刺交換
17:00 – 18:00 レセプション・交流会
各国プレゼンテーションの内容
自国のスタートアップエコシステム概況（市場規模・主要プレイヤー）
日本スタートアップ向け海外展開支援プログラムの紹介（渡航費補助・ビザ・現地コミュニティ等）
進出時の規制・税制・法人設立に関する基礎情報
実際の成功事例（日本スタートアップの進出実績）
個別相談・マッチングへの案内
登壇者
Ayumi Fujimoto / Startup Ecosystem Association Japan President
https://startupecosystem.org/
2002年キャリアデザインセンター入社、2007年4月グーグルに転職し、人材業界担当統括部長を歴任。「Women Will Project」のパートナー担当を経て、同社退社後2016年5月、一般社団法人at Will Workを設立。その後株式会社お金のデザインを経てPlug and Play Japan株式会社にてマーケティング/PRを統括。2022年3月に一般社団法人スタートアップエコシステム協会を設立、代表理事に就任。米国ミネルバ認定講師。
John D. Breidenstine / U.S. Embassy Tokyo
Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs
https://www.trade.gov/selectusa
A career Senior Foreign Service Officer, class of Career Minister, John Breidenstine began his assignment as Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo August 2025. Before his current assignment, John served as the Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs in Mexico City (2023-25); Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs and ASEAN Regional Senior Commercial Officer in Bangkok (2019-2023); Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs and Senior Commercial Officer for Europe at the U.S. Mission to the European Union (2015-2019); Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs in London (2011-15); U.S. Consul General in Hermosillo, Mexico (2008-11); Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia (2006-08); and Commercial Counselor in Mexico City (2003-06). Prior to a 2002 reconstruction- related assignment in Kabul, Afghanistan, John’s postings included: Ankara, Turkey (1997-2002); Tashkent, Uzbekistan (1994-97); Kuwait City, Kuwait (1991- 93); and Munich, Germany (1990-91). Before joining the Foreign Service in 1990, John studied international relations at the University of Miami (1987-88) and at the Free University of Berlin (1988-89) and worked as an Account Executive for International Paper in New York City and Atlanta (1984-87). A graduate of Davidson College with a B.A. in Political Science, John also completed the Stanford University Graduate School of Business LEAD (Learn Engage Accelerate Disrupt) Certificate Program.
Breukelaar Linde / Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Second Secretary Economic Affairs
https://scalenljapan.nl/
Linde Breukelaar leads the StartNL Japan team within the Economic Department at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tokyo. She brings extensive professional experience across energy innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact finance, with a strong background in strategic advisory, policy implementation, and international business collaboration. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to building robust innovation ecosystems and advancing inclusive entrepreneurship, including initiatives designed to support underrepresented founders such as women entrepreneurs.
The Netherlands is globally recognized as one of Europe’s leading innovation hubs. It boasts a open, highly collaborative, and interconnected startup ecosystem powered by world-class academic institutions, top-tier tech talent, and effective public-private partnerships. Netherlands-based startups are particularly renowned for addressing global challenges through cutting-edge technologies and sustainable business models.
In her role, Linde is dedicated to leveraging the strengths of the Dutch startup community to deepen cross-border ties with Japanese innovators, corporate partners, and investors. She looks forward to building long-term strategic relationships, fostering mutual growth, and accelerating collaborative business opportunities between the Netherlands and Japan.
Bugel Pierre / METI / French Embassy
International Technical Expert
Pierre Bugel is a French national with a 7-year expertise on R&D, innovation and entrepreneurial affairs. After graduating from ITECH Engineering School in Lyon, France through a Master degree in Chemistry, he joined a consulting company providing R&D and Innovation financing support services. He quickly initiated an intrapreneurship project within the company, developing services to cover the needs of clients based in Japan for public funding and tax deduction on R&D and innovation in Japan. He then moved in Tokyo, Japan in February 2020 to establish and lead the Japanese branch office of the company for 3 years.
Since March 2023, he works within the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a detached expert from the French government on startup and innovation affairs. His role is to support the creation and reforms of Japanese policies on startup economy by providing an in-depth understanding of key success-factors of the French ecosystem, being a strong source of inspiration for the Japanese government. Moreover, he acts as a coordinator and project manager for bilateral innovation and startup related affairs, such as Japan as Country of the Year for VIVA TECHNOLOGY 2024.
Calatayud Adrien / French Embassy - Business France
Head of Invest
https://welcome.businessfrance.fr/ja/
After a pro cyclist career he graduated in International Trade and worked in Mexico, China, Russia and France in private and public sector. He's now leading the Invest activities of Business France Japan under the French Embassy, helping Japanese companies to set up in France.
Masahiro Ito / Hong Kong Trade Development Council Deputy Director of Tokyo Office
https://japanese.hktdc.com/
Born in Hyogo, Joined Ajinomoto in 1985, gaining 14 years of China-related experience, including assignments in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Joined HKTDC in 2006, serving as Deputy Director of Osaka Office and Deputy Director of the Tokyo Office since 2018. Oversees operations in Eastern Japan, supporting mutual overseas expansion for local governments and SMEs.
Masaru Nagura / Startup Ecosystem Association Japan Vice President
https://startupecosystem.org/
核融合工学で博士号を取得後、文部科学省に入省。大学発スタートアップ政策やアントレプレナーシップ教育政策を担当。米国MITに留学した後、経営コンサルティング、ベンチャーキャピタル等の勤務を経て、日本最大級のスタートアップセンターであるCIC Tokyoの立ち上げに参画。スタートアップ支援プログラムやエコシステム構築事業の責任者を務める。一般社団法人スタートアップエコシステム協会理事、東京工業大学特任教授も務める。
Saporita Luca / Swiss Business Hub Japan (Representing SJCC), Senior Consultant, Trade & Investment
Luca Saporita is Senior Consultant Trade & Investment at the Swiss Business Hub Japan, part of the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan. He supports Swiss companies, including startups and SMEs, in exploring business opportunities and building partnerships in the Japanese market. He also promotes Switzerland as a business and innovation location for Japanese companies. His work focuses on connecting the Swiss and Japanese innovation ecosystems through market-entry support, business matching, delegations, events and collaboration with public- and private-sector partners. He also serves serves as a committee member of the Swiss Japanese Chamber of Commerce for the Chamber's Investment Promotion activity "Project Matterhorn".
Srinidhi Ashokkumar / Nordic Innovation House Tokyo Project Manager
https://www.nordicinnovationhouse.com/tokyo
Srinidhi Ashokkumar is a Project Manager at Nordic Innovation House Tokyo, connecting Nordic startups with Japanese companies and vice versa, as well as investors and public-sector partners. She leads market-entry initiatives, business matchmaking, delegations, and innovation events across Japan.
Jones Jack / British Embassy Tokyo
Counsellor Tech and VC Investment
Jack Jones is a British diplomat based in Tokyo, focused on growing UK-Japan collaboration across technology, venture capital and life sciences. Drawing on experience in government, management consulting and M&A, he works with companies, investors and policymakers to turn emerging technologies and strategic partnerships into investment, trade and economic growth opportunities.
Toshi Maeda / Startup Island TAIWAN
Japan Representative / 日本代表
https://startupisland.tw/jp
台湾政府（国家発展委員会）が推進するスタートアップ支援ブランド「Startup Island TAIWAN」の日本代表として、台湾スタートアップの日本進出と、日台のVC・アクセラレーター・大企業・自治体をつなぐエコシステム連携を担う。2026年には「日台イノベーションサミット」やSusHi Tech Tokyo台湾パビリオンなど、チームで数十社の台湾スタートアップの日本デビューを支援した。
出身はメディア業界で、２０１０年に東京を拠点とする国際メディア・戦略コミュニケーション企業PBMCを創業。同社が運営する日英中トリリンガルのソリューション特化型メディア「JStories」は、日本・アジアのスタートアップやイノベーターの挑戦を取材し、LSEG（旧ロイター）端末を通じて世界40万人超の金融プロフェッショナルへ配信するほか、SmartNews、J-WAVE等とも連携。スタートアップが海外の投資家やパートナーに「伝わる」ストーリーを届ける橋渡しを行っている。
ロイターTVプロデューサー兼特派員、ジャパンタイムズ、AP通信（サンフランシスコ）、Newsday（ニューヨーク）などで記者経験を積み、日本外国特派員協会（FCCJ）正会員。J-WAVE「JAM THE PLANET」コメンテーター。駒澤大学グローバルメディアスタディーズ学部・元非常勤講師。
・・・・・・・
Toshi Maeda Japan Representative, Startup Island TAIWAN
Toshi Maeda is Japan Representative of Startup Island TAIWAN, the Taiwan government's national startup brand led by the National Development Council. He supports Taiwanese startups entering Japan and builds ecosystem ties between the two countries' VCs, accelerators, corporates and local governments. In 2026, he and the SIT team helped dozens of Taiwanese startups make their Japan debut through the Japan–Taiwan Innovation Summit and the Taiwan Pavilion at SusHi Tech Tokyo.
Toshi comes from the media industry. In 2010, he founded Pacific Bridge Media & Consulting, a Tokyo-based international media and strategic communications firm. PBMC publishes JStories, a trilingual (Japanese/English/Chinese) solutions-focused media platform that covers the challenges and breakthroughs of startups and innovators across Japan and Asia. JStories reaches more than 400,000 financial professionals worldwide through LSEG (formerly Reuters) terminals and partners with SmartNews and J-WAVE, helping founders deliver stories that resonate with overseas investors and partners.
A former Reuters TV producer and correspondent, he has also reported for The Japan Times, the Associated Press (San Francisco) and Newsday (New York). He is a regular member of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), a commentator on J-WAVE's "Jam the Planet," and a former part-time lecturer at Komazawa University's Faculty of Global Media Studies.
Discover international expansion opportunities for Japanese startups through support programs offered by embassies, chambers of commerce, and trade and investment organizations from around the world.
Many countries provide valuable resources to help Japanese startups enter their markets, but this information is often scattered and difficult to find. As a result, many startups miss opportunities simply because they are unaware of the available support.
At this event, representatives from embassies, government agencies, and trade organizations will introduce the international expansion programs available in their countries, including soft-landing programs, travel grants, local accelerators, business matching opportunities, and other practical resources.
The event will conclude with a networking session where participants can connect directly with country representatives, ask questions, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Who Should Attend
Japanese startups considering international expansion
Support organizations, accelerators, venture capital firms, media, and other ecosystem partners
Anyone involved in Japan’s startup ecosystem
Event Overview
Event: Global Startup Ecosystem Meeting – Special Edition
Date & Time: September 30, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base, 1F Square-2
Speakers: Representatives from embassies, chambers of commerce, and trade & investment promotion organizations
Organizer: Startup Ecosystem Association Japan (SEAJ)
Agenda
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Opening Remarks & Event Introduction
Welcome remarks from the organizer, followed by an introduction to the background and objectives of the event.
2:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Country Presentations (7–10 minutes per country)
Presentations by embassies, chambers of commerce, and trade & investment promotion organizations introducing international expansion support programs for startups. (Expected participation: 6–10 countries.)
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Break
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Booth-Style Networking Session
One-on-one consultations and networking with representatives from participating countries.
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Reception & Networking
Presentation Topics
Each participating country is expected to cover the following topics:
Overview of its startup ecosystem (market size, key industries, and major ecosystem players)
International expansion support programs available for Japanese startups (e.g., travel grants, visa programs, soft-landing support, local startup communities, etc.)
Basic information on regulations, taxation, and company incorporation
Success stories of Japanese startups that have expanded into the country
Opportunities for follow-up consultations and business matching