Here’s a look at the community events held from August 15 to August 21.
This week, in addition to the usual networking at Meetups, we saw many opportunities for the global community to expand and for entrepreneurs to engage in concrete consultations and collaborations with supporters and local governments.
Through each of these events, a variety of interactions are taking place—from new connections to the next steps.
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August 18(Tue) Lunch Time Meetup
A diverse group of participants gathered, including entrepreneurs and supporters, as well as first-time visitors from outside the prefecture who had come to learn more about TIB.
During the networking session, one supporter—who serves as a judge for TIB PITCH—was seen offering advice, drawing on their own personal experiences, in response to legal questions raised by entrepreneurs regarding the implementation of proof-of-concept (PoC) projects.
Even after the event ended, participants could be seen continuing to mingle in the Connect Area, and the connections formed through the Meetup were expanding into further interactions at TIB.
■Number of Participants：28
■Language：Japanese
August 18(Tue) TIB Global Women Leader’s Lounge
We held the landmark first session of the English-language “Women Leaders Lounge.”
For this session’s “Lead Sister” (keynote speaker), we welcomed Helen Iwata, who, after careers at McKinsey and Nippon Steel (now Nippon Steel Corporation), has been running and growing her own business as an entrepreneur for the past 10 years.
The event was attended by female entrepreneurs active in the climate tech and consulting sectors, as well as individuals considering future independence or starting their own businesses. In a salon-style setting, participants engaged in a lively exchange of views based on specific topics raised by attendees, such as “how to take calculated risks” and “how to deal with opposition from family and friends regarding entrepreneurship.”
It was an opportunity for participants to share their individual experiences and perspectives while engaging in candid discussions about entrepreneurship and their careers.
■Number of Participants：13
■Language：English
August 20(Thu) TIB Global Coffee Meetup
Our ongoing “TIB Global Coffee Meetup” once again attracted a large number of participants. As the event continues, awareness of it grows with each session, and we can see the results of our sustained efforts.
Participants came from a wide range of countries and business sectors, leading to lively networking that spanned various fields, including AI, IT, healthcare, human resources, and ecosystems.
Awareness of the event is also growing among foreign entrepreneurs on short-term visits to Japan, and an increasing number of them are planning to attend this Meetup and visit TIB during their stay.
This event served as a venue for forging new connections across national and sectoral boundaries, and we could truly feel the community expanding.
■Language：English
August 21(Fri) Jichi TIME Meetup: Extended Edition
This event was held as an “Expanded Edition of the Jichi TIME Meetup,” co-hosted with Zero One Booster.
With 21 organizations taking the stage, this was the largest Jichi TIME Meetup of the year. Various initiatives from each local government were introduced, and participants listened intently.
The networking session following the presentations was also a great success, with lively exchanges taking place between entrepreneurs from diverse business sectors and local governments. Participating local governments have reported that these interactions have already led to concrete plans for future action.
We will continue to provide ongoing support to ensure that the connections formed at this event lead to further collaborations and initiatives.
■Language：Japanese
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Thank you to everyone who participated!
This week, we were able to feel the community growing through interactions among participants—ranging from casual conversations to specific consultations and information exchanges—that will lead to future collaborations.
At TIB, we create opportunities for a diverse range of people—including entrepreneurs and supporters—to connect through a variety of themes and perspectives.
If any of our events catch your interest, please feel free to join us!