Global Founders in Action
Join Alchemist for an evening of conversation, innovation, and connection as we celebrate global founders from JETRO’s Global Startup Acceleration Program. Discover emerging technologies transforming industries across Japan and the U.S., and meet the people building them.
We’re thrilled to welcome Kenji Niwa, CEO of Firstcard, as our keynote speaker. Kenji will share his journey — from building and exiting his first company in Japan, to investing across the U.S. and Japan, and returning to the founder’s seat to create a product helping everyone build credit, no matter who they are or where they come from.
Kenji Niwa is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Firstcard, a financial technology company dedicated to democratizing credit and fostering financial inclusion. He was inspired to found Firstcard in 2020 while pursuing his MBA at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, driven by his own experience as an immigrant who was denied credit upon moving to the U.S. This mission builds on a successful track record as a founder; his first company, iTank, was a premier internship platform in Japan that he founded in college and was acquired by the publicly-traded company En Japan in 2015. Since 2017, Kenji has also been an active angel investor, supporting over 30 startups, including Substack.
You’ll also hear lightning pitches from AlchemistX founders developing bold solutions across manufacturing, AI, and sustainability ⚡️— followed by networking over bites and drinks with founders, investors, and innovators shaping the future. 🤝🍸
🗓️ Agenda
5:00–5:30 PM – Arrival & Networking
5:30–5:40 PM – Welcome & Keynote Introduction
6:00–6:30 PM – Fireside Chat with Kenji Niwa + Q&A
6:30–6:45 PM – GSAP Founder Lightning Pitches (10 total)
6:45–7:30 PM – Networking Reception
✨ Come for the stories, stay for the connections — and leave inspired by the next generation of cross-border founders.
AlchemistX is the external innovation arm of Alchemist Accelerator, partnering with industry leaders and governments to support top entrepreneurs and bring innovation to Silicon Valley.
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) drives Japan’s global startup ecosystem through programs like GSAP, connecting Japanese innovators with international markets and partners.
DISCLAIMER:
By registering for this event, you consent to the sharing of your contact information with the event organizer, JETRO, and JIC, for administrative and communication purposes. Your information will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy. Additionally, you also agree that JETRO, JIC, and all affiliated organizations reserve the right to take photos and video recordings during the event. These may be used for promotional purposes, including social media, websites, and other marketing channels. If you have any questions or concerns about the use of your contact information and/or do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event staff upon arrival and contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.