For Startups, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuichiro Shimizu), a company dedicated to advancing growth industry support, is pleased to announce that its November conference “GRIC2025” will be part of “JAPAN INNOVATION WEEK 2025”, a global series of events bringing together investors and startup ecosystem builders from around the world.
About JAPAN INNOVATION WEEK 2025
“JAPAN INNOVATION WEEK 2025” will feature six conferences and networking events designed to connect Japan’s and the world’s startup ecosystems. Highlights include:
- Techstars Tokyo Demo Day — a startup acceleration program by Techstars, the world’s largest pre-seed investor
- GCV Asia: Congress — a flagship event by Global Corporate Venturing focusing on CVC collaboration across Asia
- GRIC2025 — a hybrid-format global conference for growth industries
- Alchemist Japan Investor Circle — a networking event for investors and founders hosted by Alchemist Japan
- Entrepreneurs Roundtable Tokyo — a global community of startups, investors, and corporate partners
- Entrepreneurs & Angel Investors Cross Day — featuring prominent angel investor Jason Calacanis
Last year saw strong participation from international investors and deeper inter-event collaboration. This year, the initiative continues to foster innovation through cross-event partnerships.
Event Lineup
- Nov 11 (Tue) – Techstars Tokyo Demo Day 2025
- Nov 12 (Wed) – GCV Asia: Congress
- Nov 13 (Thu) – GRIC2025 (Online sessions held Nov 11–12)
- Nov 13 (Thu) – Alchemist Japan Investor Circle: Bridging Japan and Global
- Nov 13 (Thu) – Entrepreneurs Roundtable Tokyo 6 at Japan Innovation Week
- Nov 14 (Fri) – Entrepreneurs & Angel Investors Cross Day
1. Techstars Tokyo DEMO DAY 2025
A showcase of 12 startups selected from over 120 countries with an acceptance rate below 1%, presenting the outcomes of a three-month accelerator program. As Asia’s only Techstars location, Japan continues to draw investors and ecosystem players worldwide to explore new opportunities for co-creation.
Details
- Date: Nov 11 (Tue), 13:00–19:30
- Venue: Tokyo (details shared upon registration)
- Organizers: Techstars Tokyo, Mitsui Fudosan, JETRO
- Supported by the Cabinet Office, METI, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- Language: English (with Japanese interpretation)
- URL: https://lu.ma/e/evt-idYwJE1dbF00pth
2. GCV Asia: Congress
Organized by Global Corporate Venturing, this flagship event focuses on corporate venture capital (CVC) in Asia. Over 40 CVC leaders will speak across 15+ sessions covering CVC operations, challenges, and insights into fields such as generative AI and energy transition.
Details
- Date: Nov 12 (Wed), 8:15–19:30
- Venue: Bellesalle Shinjuku Grand Conference Center
- Organizer: Global Corporate Venturing
- Co-host: Woven Capital
- URL: https://www.gcvasia.com/
3. GRIC2025 (Nov 11–13)
The Growth Industry Conference (GRIC) is Japan’s largest hybrid global conference and community focused on growth industries. It will be held online and in person at Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall, serving as a platform for top ecosystem builders to share insights and create opportunities.
Details
- Dates:
- Nov 11 (Tue) Online 10:00–18:00
- Nov 12 (Wed) Online 10:00–18:00
- Nov 13 (Thu) Online + Onsite 10:00–19:00
- Venue: Shibuya Hikarie - Hikarie Hall / Online (EventHub)
- Organizer: for Startups, Inc.
- URL: https://gric.forstartups.com/
4. Alchemist Japan Investor Circle: Bridging Japan and Global
An invitation-only networking event for angel and early-stage investors and globally oriented founders. It aims to promote open discussion among early investors and facilitate connections with promising founders from Alchemist Japan and JETRO programs.
Details
- Date: Nov 13 (Thu), 17:00–19:30
- Venue: Tokyo (details upon registration)
- Organizers: Alchemist Japan, Mitsubishi Estate, ONE Capital, JETRO
- Supported by the Cabinet Office, METI, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- URL: https://luma.com/6y97hvb2
5. Entrepreneurs Roundtable Tokyo 6 at Japan Innovation Week
A global community event where up to five startups pitch their businesses and receive direct feedback and potential investment from leading VCs. Two guest VCs will also participate in a panel discussion.
Details
- Date: Nov 13 (Thu), 17:30–19:30
- Venue: Tokyo (details upon registration)
- Organizers: Remarkable Ventures Climate, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA), ERA Global, JETRO
- URL: https://luma.com/0e1alm15
6. Entrepreneurs & Angel Investors Cross Day
A launch event featuring renowned angel investor Jason Calacanis, known for early investments in Uber and Robinhood. The session will introduce a new course under the J-StarX program, aiming to foster entrepreneurs and angel investors from a global perspective.
Details
- Date: Nov 14 (Fri), 15:30–17:00
- Venue: SHIBUYA QWS
- Organizers: LAUNCH, JETRO
- URL: https://luma.com/cm0x90mk
