The start-up support program “Ignition Academy 2024” hosted by seed VC company Genesia Ventures announces th e judges who will participate in Demo Day

Ignition Academy 2024, a start-up support program sponsored by seed VC company Genesia Ventures, announces the judges who will participate in Demo Day ​
Genesia Ventures Co., Ltd. Press release: September 30, 2024 The start-up support program “Ignition Academy 2024” hosted by seed VC company Genesia Ventures announces the judges who will participate in Demo Day
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Genesia Ventures Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Soichi Tajima, Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), which provides investment and management support to startups in the seed stage, will run a startup support program for four months from August to November 2024. We have released the judges who will be participating in Demo Day, the results reporting session of “Ignition Academy 2024” (Ignition Academy 2024). [About “Ignition Academy”] This program is based on the practical knowledge that Genesia Ventures, whose mission is to build an “industrial creation platform,” has acquired through investing in and supporting more than 160 seed-stage startups (as of September 2024). By sharing knowledge and experiences of senior entrepreneurs, we will present the shortest path to business growth, and by promoting the formation of a community that transcends all boundaries, we will raise the level of the entire Japanese startup ecosystem. This is what we aim to do. Not only entrepreneurs who have contact with the startup industry, but also people from large companies, local residents, researchers, and others who have not had any connections with venture capital (VC) or senior startup managers until now, need sufficient information and information. Targeting entrepreneurs of a wide range of attributes, including those who have not had the opportunity to interact, we will provide practical lecture content from the perspective of startup managers and entrepreneurs, as well as roundtable discussions with startup managers who are active on the front lines. This is an intensive program offered over a period of approximately 4 months. Furthermore, since the purpose of “Ignition Academy” is to “provide a gateway to the startup ecosystem,” we have assumed investment from Genesia Ventures so as not to limit the freedom and options of capital policy for entrepreneurs. It is not part of the program design. We will help entrepreneurs make the best choice. Click here for program details and implementation report ​ [Judges participating in Demo Day] Demo Day is scheduled to be held at the final round of the program (2024/11/20). On the day of the event, we plan to invite the following people representing each field as judges.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-d03666afe798259e9f461e4679e1cb74-1565×1350.jpg Incubate Fund Representative Partner Keisuke Wada ◆Supporting comments Sharing the experience, wisdom, and networks that Genesia Ventures has cultivated through investing in and supporting many early-stage startups with talented people from diverse backgrounds will greatly contribute to the development of Japan’s startup ecosystem. Then I think. At the Entrepreneurs Academy that I participated in last time, I was deeply impressed by the enthusiasm of the community and meeting all the wonderful entrepreneurs. We sincerely hope that the even more powerful Ignition Academy will lead to the birth of startups that will make great strides. ◆Profile Joined Future Venture Capital in 2004 and engaged in venture investment, M&A advisory work, and composition and management of two-person partnerships. Joined CyberAgent in 2006 and engaged in domestic venture investment, overseas investment fund formation, and overseas investment. In 2007, he independently opened Selene Venture Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in the seed stage. Founded Incubate Fund in 2010. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Kyoto University.
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-83f9f1d8d1f33863310d400075788468-1350×1350.jpg ANRI General Partner Junichiro Kono ◆Supporting comments In Japan, a country with advanced challenges, startups are playing an increasingly important role as problem-solving jockeys. I feel that the number of people who aspire to start a business, those who actually start a business, and those who jump into startups is increasing both quantitatively and qualitatively. On the other hand, it is true that information disparities, maldistribution, and asymmetry still exist significantly, and can sometimes have a significant impact on the success or failure of business. Genesia Ventures will generously provide the management knowledge and know-how that it has accumulated through working with many entrepreneurs, and will be involved in this initiative that aims to raise the standard of Japan’s startup ecosystem as a whole without guiding it to its own profit. , ANRI agrees and supports this. ◆Profile In 2002, joined JAFCO Co., Ltd. (currently JAFCO Group). In 2008, he transferred to Itochu Technology Ventures Corporation and has been involved in investing in domestic startups for 11 years since then, before joining ANRI in 2019. At ANRI, he is in charge of 10X, UPSIDER, SHE, Funds, Reiwa Travel, monochrome, etc.
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-8c5695c8ca57576f790daf42641eddc1-2000×1333.png UB Ventures Co., Ltd. Managing Partner Yoshimitsu Yori ◆Supporting comments Ignition Academy is a great program that supports
entrepreneurs through hands-on learning and mentorship. Participants from a wide range of industries will be provided with essential knowledge for startups, including steps toward achieving PMF, growth strategies, and financing. I am honored to support this program as a judge. We look forward to seeing innovative ideas and growth emerge from this gathering of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds! ◆Profile After graduating from International Christian University, he joined major ERP vendor Intentia and worked on DX and business reform projects in Japan and Europe. After that, he joined DCM Ventures after working in management strategy planning and in charge of Asian expansion projects at Monitor Group, an American strategic consulting firm. As a venture capitalist, he is responsible for investing in freee, Coubic, etc. In 2014, he joined Chinese startup Happy Elements, and after serving as CSO and Japan listing manager, he oversaw the launch and business development of content and xR businesses in Japan and China as director and Japan representative. Completed MBA from IE Business School.
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-b6e44e506e7d65749df103956efffd54-1125×749.jpg Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Co., Ltd. Director, Innovation Company Promotion Department Mr. Takashi Ikemura ◆Supporting comments Congratulations on the second term of “Ignition Academy”. In order to grow the startup ecosystem, we believe that providing practical know-how that makes full use of Genesia Ventures’ knowledge and network is of great significance. I feel honored to be able to participate as a judge again this year. The content of the last Demo Day was of a very high standard. We are looking forward to meeting all the participants who have refined their skills in this program over the past four months at Demo Day. ◆Profile Joined Sumitomo Trust Bank (currently Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank) in 1993. After working in personal and corporate sales, he was involved in the management of listed stock funds for 15 years as an analyst (electronics) and fund manager, winning various awards. Engaged in M&A/consulting business since 2012, and has been in his current position since 2020. Graduated from Doshisha University/Faculty of Commerce. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-fb658f0d0e1daf93ab7d5bb85c580eea-2000×2667.png MPower Partners General Partner Miwa Seki ◆Supporting comments I’m looking forward to meeting startups that, even if they are a small spark now, will one day become a big flame that will change society. We hope that together we can help enrich and expand the startup ecosystem. See you at Ignition Academy! ◆Profile Founding partner of MPower Partners Fund. After working in Morgan Stanley’s investment banking department, he became manager of Clay Finlay Investment Advisors’ Tokyo branch and Japanese stock portfolio manager. Graduated from Keio University and Harvard Graduate School. Translated “Factfulness” and “Zero to One”.
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-7609c2da505d26c592ee74337639691b-691×850.png Canal Ventures Co., Ltd. Representative Director Ryosuke Matsuoka ◆Supporting comments I am very grateful to have been selected from a large number of applicants and to have had the opportunity to work with all of you who have gained so much insight and learning through this program. I’m looking forward to witnessing the moment when the “fire” that was lit in everyone’s hearts becomes a huge “flame” that changes society! I would like to have a heated discussion with as much enthusiasm as you! I’m looking forward to the culmination of these four months and the future we’ll create together with everyone starting here! ◆Profile At BIPROGY Co., Ltd. (formerly Nihon Unisys Co., Ltd.), he worked on large-scale core system development as an engineer in the data and middleware fields in the financial field. While working on launching a new business in parallel with development work, since 2016, he has been working as a business secretary to the company’s CTO, formulating technology strategies and making policy recommendations. In 2022, he joined Canal Ventures’ CVC as an outside director, and in April 2024, he became representative director and CEO. In addition to serving as the parent representative for her son’s soccer team on weekends, she also plays senior soccer. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-0bf80c37918e05b3611ef086fd839e72-2048×1365.jpg FFG Venture Business Partners Co., Ltd. Investment Division Senior Manager Masayuki Matsunaga ◆Supporting comments As a venture capital affiliated with a regional financial institution, we are working hard every day to develop the local startup ecosystem and create
university-originated ventures. Therefore, we are very happy to be able to hold and participate in a wonderful program like “Ignition Academy”. We will do our best to increase the enthusiasm of all participants and lead to the creation of new industries! ◆Profile Engaged in strategic consulting work at Accenture Inc. for about 9 years. Engaged in supporting the creation of new businesses and the promotion of open innovation and DX, mainly in the communications and high-tech industries. With the desire to make Fukuoka/Kyushu an innovation city in Japan, he has been participating in FFG Venture Business Partners since 2019. Responsible for investing in over 20 startups across a wide range of fields, including B2B, B2C, and Deep Tech. He also serves as an outside director for three of these companies.
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-bc720de6bad38030602cca8d405a0331-600×600.png Mr. Early Summer Tomihara, Director of Startup Promotion Office, Innovation and Environment Bureau, Economic and Industrial Policy Bureau ◆Supporting comments The halfway point of the five-year startup development plan is now in sight, but there are definite signs of change in many regions and industries. By participating in this program, we hope that you will aim for big dreams with both domestic and global goals in mind. I hope that the path of “starting a business” will become commonplace for people with various thoughts and backgrounds, and that they will serve as role models for those who follow. We will not only design systems and subsidies, but also accompany those who have the determination to realize their dreams. ◆Profile Joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2006 and is in charge of policies such as foreign human resources policy, industrial revitalization, natural energy, economic cooperation and partnership negotiations with Asia, and healthcare. In charge of startup policy since July 2013. Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo (MPharm), Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, USA (MBA)
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/56091/138/56091-138-e6b005589d27ae865160988a20806e25-500×500.jpg Coral Capital Founding Partner Yohei Sawayama ◆Profile Founding partner of Coral Capital. Invested in over 120 seed stage companies, managing a total of approximately 60 billion yen. Managing partner of 500 Startups Japan since 2015. Prior to 500, he worked at Nomura Research & Advisory (NR&A), the unlisted company research division of Nomura Securities, and was involved in research, evaluation, and support for unlisted companies in the IT sector, and was involved in many tech IPOs. . Previously, he covered the TMT sector at J.P. Morgan’s investment banking division and was involved in advisory work on large-scale cross-border M&A. Completed the Department of International Nuclear Energy, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. Master’s degree (engineering). Part-time lecturer at Waseda University. Click here for program details and implementation report ​ [Company Profile] Company name: Genesia Ventures Co., Ltd. WEB: https://genesiaventures.com/ Established: August 2016 Head Office: Inside Orbit Shibuya, 3F Shibuya Place, 1-10-5 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Office: Jakarta) WeWork Revenue Tower, Scbd, Jl Jend.Sudirman No.52-53, Senayan, Kebayoran Baru Jakarta City, JK, 12190, Indonesia ：Ho Chi Minh）Genesia Orbit Ho Chi Minh City, 53 Nguyen Co Thach, D. 2, Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam ：Bengaluru）Block L, Embassy Tech Village, Devarabisanahalli, Outer Ring Road, Bellandur, Bengaluru, KA 560103 Representative:
Representative Director/General Partner Soichi Tajima Business content: Venture capital business