Changemakers Unplugged Vol. 4: What no one tells you about building in Japan – A workshop for international founders
The journey of launching & operating a startup in Japan can be both full of opportunity and complexity: especially for international founders navigating a new culture, visa hurdles, and a different landscape of funding structures and norms.
In this 4th volume of Changemakers Unplugged, we’re holding a highly interactive World Café-style workshop, creating space for candid, lived experiences and collective sense-making around being a founder in Japan.
Instead of polished success stories, we’ll first hear authentic reflections from founders on the ground: what surprised them, what challenged them, and what they wished they had known earlier. Through rotating small-group conversations, we’ll then surface shared bottlenecks, exchange practical strategies, and explore what a more flourishing startup ecosystem in Japan for international founders could look like.
Expect:
Honest lightning talks from international founders
Deep, rotating discussions around market entry, visas, culture, and bridge-building
Cross-sector exchange between founders, VCs, ecosystem builders, and startup teams
Community-generated insights and practical takeaways
🎯 Who Should Join
International founders and aspiring entrepreneurs in Japan
Japanese founders interested in global perspectives
Local startups looking to work with / hire foreign talent
Accelerators, VCs, and ecosystem partners supporting foreign founders
Anyone curious about building globally minded startups in Japan
Event Details
🗓️ Date & Time: March 12 (Thu), 18:30–21:00 (Doors open 18:00)
📍 Venue: Google for Startups Campus Tokyo 5F
🗣️ Language: English
Agenda
18:00: Doors open
18:30: Opening Remarks
18:40: Lightning Talks (2 × 10 min)
– candid stories from founders building in Japan
19:00: World Café style discussions (rotating small-group conversations)
20:00: Harvest & Collective Reflection
20:15: Networking
21:00: Event ends
Join us for an evening of open dialogue & collective insight!
About Google for Startups Campus
Google for Startups Campus (map) is one of six global hubs designed to support startups. The Google for Startups Japan team established a campus in Shibuya in 2019, beginning its mission to support startups across Japan.
Selected startups receive technical training and mentoring, along with business support from Google. They also benefit from a diverse community of entrepreneurs and startups. Campus Tokyo, located in the central Shibuya district, serves as a hub for innovation throughout Japan.
Campus Tokyo also hosts public events with various startup ecosystem builders. For the latest updates on these events, upcoming Google programs, and startup news, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter.
Event Partner – Hub Tokyo
This event is hosted in partnership with Hub Tokyo Co., Ltd. Hub Tokyo designs programs and provides consulting services for organizations seeking to advance social impact, sustainability, and entrepreneurial education. Through facilitation, research, and community co-creation, the company helps businesses and institutions build ecosystems that empower changemakers and accelerate social innovation. Hub Tokyo also operates Impact HUB Tokyo, part of the global Impact HUB network—one of the world’s largest communities for purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Since its opening in Meguro in 2013, Impact HUB Tokyo has served as a coworking and incubation space in Meguro, bringing together startups, freelancers, artists, and NPO leaders from Japan and abroad. Accredited as an incubation center by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2022, it continues to provide support for early-stage entrepreneurs through incubation programs and community initiatives. In 2023, they opened Communita Café, a neighborhood café that functions as a gathering place where locals and members can meet, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections.