IVS2024 KYOTO: Cross the Boundaries
IVS & IVS Crypto 2024 is taking place in KYOTO from July 4 - 7 at Pulse Plaza, Kyoto (京都パルスプラザ )
Trending stories
Get to know our Founders and their visions for the world.
Founder Spotlight Stories
We talk with founders of our portfolio companies to explore stories behind what makes who they are today.
Founder Spotlight of Nudge: Takashi Okita
Once the Youngest CEO of a Public Company on JASDAQ, Takashi Okita Is Bringing a New Kind of Credit Card to Japan. Nudge is one of the first companies to be issued the new Japanese credit card license.
Feb 9, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Gliacloud: Agnes Peng
Agnes is a mom, a wife, a CEO of GliaStudio - an award-winning AI-powered video production platform. We believe that with GliaCloud, the world can save more time on editing and focus more on content creation, and we invested in them in 2017.
Feb 7, 2022
Adapting and Expanding: Kiwibot's Vision in a Changing World
A California-based company is leading the charge in revolutionizing last-mile delivery through autonomous robots, with a mission to make delivery cheaper, faster, and more eco-friendly.
But what is Kiwibot, and how did it get started? In this article, we'll dive into the story of Kiwibot and explore how it's transforming the delivery landscape.
Apr 10, 2023
Founder Spotlight of Bokksu: Danny Taing
Bokksu is the first subscription box that offers Japanese snacks. Their mission? To make Asian groceries and snacks more accessible worldwide while supporting the local artisans.
Feb 8, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Inteluck: Kevin Zhang
This weeks Founder Spotlight belongs to Kevin Zhang, founder of Inteluck, a company looking to take over Southeast Asia by providing data-driven end-to-end logistics services.
May 20, 2022
Founder Spotlight of FUELHASH: Katsuya Konno
Headline Asia has invested in FUELHASH’s seed round in January 2022. FUELHASH is a crypto mining business that sells and operates some of the world’s most advanced mining machines.
Feb 8, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Ephod Technology: Peter Zhou
Ephod’s solutions uncover significant value by enabling those with limited access to machine learning. We believe Ephod will be the best data analytics partner for institutional, or potentially individual investors, who want a competitive edge. Headline invested in Ephod in August 2021.
Feb 9, 2022
Founder Spotlight of 207: Shinya Takayanagi
Shinya Takayanagi is one of the winners of IVS LAUNCHPAD. Focused on solving last-mile delivery pain points, 207 Inc. is the new star in the Japanese logistics industry.
Feb 9, 2022
Founder Spotlight of JPYC: Noritaka Okabe
Headline Asia invested in JPYC as a lead investor of Series A. JPYC started issuing a Japanese Yen-pegged stablecoin, as Japan’s first ERC20 prepaid payment instrument.
Feb 8, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Nudge: Takashi Okita
Once the Youngest CEO of a Public Company on JASDAQ, Takashi Okita Is Bringing a New Kind of Credit Card to Japan. Nudge is one of the first companies to be issued the new Japanese credit card license.
Feb 9, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Gliacloud: Agnes Peng
Agnes is a mom, a wife, a CEO of GliaStudio - an award-winning AI-powered video production platform. We believe that with GliaCloud, the world can save more time on editing and focus more on content creation, and we invested in them in 2017.
Feb 7, 2022
Adapting and Expanding: Kiwibot's Vision in a Changing World
A California-based company is leading the charge in revolutionizing last-mile delivery through autonomous robots, with a mission to make delivery cheaper, faster, and more eco-friendly.
But what is Kiwibot, and how did it get started? In this article, we'll dive into the story of Kiwibot and explore how it's transforming the delivery landscape.
Apr 10, 2023
Founder Spotlight of Bokksu: Danny Taing
Bokksu is the first subscription box that offers Japanese snacks. Their mission? To make Asian groceries and snacks more accessible worldwide while supporting the local artisans.
Feb 8, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Inteluck: Kevin Zhang
This weeks Founder Spotlight belongs to Kevin Zhang, founder of Inteluck, a company looking to take over Southeast Asia by providing data-driven end-to-end logistics services.
May 20, 2022
Founder Spotlight of FUELHASH: Katsuya Konno
Headline Asia has invested in FUELHASH’s seed round in January 2022. FUELHASH is a crypto mining business that sells and operates some of the world’s most advanced mining machines.
Feb 8, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Ephod Technology: Peter Zhou
Ephod’s solutions uncover significant value by enabling those with limited access to machine learning. We believe Ephod will be the best data analytics partner for institutional, or potentially individual investors, who want a competitive edge. Headline invested in Ephod in August 2021.
Feb 9, 2022
Founder Spotlight of 207: Shinya Takayanagi
Shinya Takayanagi is one of the winners of IVS LAUNCHPAD. Focused on solving last-mile delivery pain points, 207 Inc. is the new star in the Japanese logistics industry.
Feb 9, 2022
Founder Spotlight of JPYC: Noritaka Okabe
Headline Asia invested in JPYC as a lead investor of Series A. JPYC started issuing a Japanese Yen-pegged stablecoin, as Japan’s first ERC20 prepaid payment instrument.
Feb 8, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Nudge: Takashi Okita
Once the Youngest CEO of a Public Company on JASDAQ, Takashi Okita Is Bringing a New Kind of Credit Card to Japan. Nudge is one of the first companies to be issued the new Japanese credit card license.
Feb 9, 2022
Founder Spotlight of Gliacloud: Agnes Peng
Agnes is a mom, a wife, a CEO of GliaStudio - an award-winning AI-powered video production platform. We believe that with GliaCloud, the world can save more time on editing and focus more on content creation, and we invested in them in 2017.
Feb 7, 2022
Keeping up with Market Trends.
Insight and Trends
News all about the emerging markets, trends, and all things that caught our attention.
A Mysterious Cartoon in China Is a Unique Lesson in Creating IP Value
WHIKO has amassed over 30 million followers since its debut in 2015, find out why this hairless cartoon figure has gained such a following.
All About DAO (Part I): Decision Making in a Decentralized World
In this series, we will compare different types of DAO with specific examples, examine the difference between DAO and traditional organizations in a deep analysis, clarify some misunderstandings, and explore the future potential of DAO, so be sure to stay tuned.
Beyond the Metaverse: Yield Guild Games is Changing Lives in Southeast Asia
YGG’s impact extends outside of play-to-earn games.
The Rise of Avatars in the Metaverse
These companies are creating avatars that can be used across platforms in the Metaverse.
A Mysterious Cartoon in China Is a Unique Lesson in Creating IP Value
WHIKO has amassed over 30 million followers since its debut in 2015, find out why this hairless cartoon figure has gained such a following.
All About DAO (Part I): Decision Making in a Decentralized World
In this series, we will compare different types of DAO with specific examples, examine the difference between DAO and traditional organizations in a deep analysis, clarify some misunderstandings, and explore the future potential of DAO, so be sure to stay tuned.
Beyond the Metaverse: Yield Guild Games is Changing Lives in Southeast Asia
YGG’s impact extends outside of play-to-earn games.
The Rise of Avatars in the Metaverse
These companies are creating avatars that can be used across platforms in the Metaverse.
A Mysterious Cartoon in China Is a Unique Lesson in Creating IP Value
WHIKO has amassed over 30 million followers since its debut in 2015, find out why this hairless cartoon figure has gained such a following.
All series on Embedded Finance, Evolving IPO Landscape, Virtual Banks....
Asia Series
We’re exploring the multiple aspects of this ongoing trend, which has been coined in various terms such as FinTech Enablers, Embedded Finance, FinTech-as-a-Service, and Modular Finance.
Embedded Finance Part V: Insurance-as-a-Service
In the past, financial services have always been provided by what we customarily think of as financial institutions — banks, credit card companies, even insurance companies. However, it’s become increasingly common for non-financial companies to become the distributors of financial services, thanks to embedded finance, AKA finance enablers.
Embedded Finance Part VI: Compliance-as-a-Service and Custody-as-a-Service
Arguably the most important part of enabling companies to provide financial services.
All About DAO (Part I): Decision Making in a Decentralized World
In this series, we will compare different types of DAO with specific examples, examine the difference between DAO and traditional organizations in a deep analysis, clarify some misunderstandings, and explore the future potential of DAO, so be sure to stay tuned.
Intro to FinTech Enablers & Embedded Finance
Industries develop over time and when they mature, they tend to become more specialized. That’s what is currently happening with the FinTech industry and financial service in general. It’s entering a new phase of division and specialization.
Embedded Finance Part II: Banking Enablers and Banking-As-A-Service
Just as there are e-commerce enablers such as Shopify, Shopee, PayPal, Wix.com, there are a growing number of banking enablers in the finance world. Banking enablers focus on providing the technological aspect of banking services, so their clients can concentrate on acquiring and serving customers.
Embedded Finance Part III: Card-as-a-Service
What do Apple, DoorDash, Square, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Manchester United have in common? They all have their own credit cards.
Embedded Finance Part IV: Credit-as-a-Service
Some Lending-as-a-Service providers can approve your loan in a matter of minutes.
Embedded Finance Part V: Insurance-as-a-Service
In the past, financial services have always been provided by what we customarily think of as financial institutions — banks, credit card companies, even insurance companies. However, it’s become increasingly common for non-financial companies to become the distributors of financial services, thanks to embedded finance, AKA finance enablers.
Embedded Finance Part VI: Compliance-as-a-Service and Custody-as-a-Service
Arguably the most important part of enabling companies to provide financial services.
All About DAO (Part I): Decision Making in a Decentralized World
In this series, we will compare different types of DAO with specific examples, examine the difference between DAO and traditional organizations in a deep analysis, clarify some misunderstandings, and explore the future potential of DAO, so be sure to stay tuned.
Intro to FinTech Enablers & Embedded Finance
Industries develop over time and when they mature, they tend to become more specialized. That’s what is currently happening with the FinTech industry and financial service in general. It’s entering a new phase of division and specialization.
Embedded Finance Part II: Banking Enablers and Banking-As-A-Service
Just as there are e-commerce enablers such as Shopify, Shopee, PayPal, Wix.com, there are a growing number of banking enablers in the finance world. Banking enablers focus on providing the technological aspect of banking services, so their clients can concentrate on acquiring and serving customers.
Embedded Finance Part III: Card-as-a-Service
What do Apple, DoorDash, Square, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Manchester United have in common? They all have their own credit cards.
Embedded Finance Part IV: Credit-as-a-Service
Some Lending-as-a-Service providers can approve your loan in a matter of minutes.
Embedded Finance Part V: Insurance-as-a-Service
In the past, financial services have always been provided by what we customarily think of as financial institutions — banks, credit card companies, even insurance companies. However, it’s become increasingly common for non-financial companies to become the distributors of financial services, thanks to embedded finance, AKA finance enablers.
Embedded Finance Part VI: Compliance-as-a-Service and Custody-as-a-Service
Arguably the most important part of enabling companies to provide financial services.
LAUNCHPAD AND IVS
All about IVS
Japan's largest tech conference "IVS" has been held since 2007 and is now in its 16th year. Following the IVS mission "Trigger the next generation" IVS has evolved into one of the largest communities, both in terms of history and scale, for leaders of Internet companies in Japan.
CEO of IVS Toshiaki Shimakawa On Why He Chose to Hold IVS2021 in NASU
The story behind IVS’ offline return after the pandemic.
See SHE’s Winning Pitch Deck From IVS2021 NASU LAUNCHPAD
This is the second woman-led startup to win in the history of LAUNCHPAD.
LAUNCHPAD Winners: Where Are They Now?
We’re following up on the amazing achievements made by the latest three LAUNCHPAD winners.
Announcing the Winners of IVS2022 LAUNCHPAD NAHA
Founded in 2007, IVS LAUNCHPAD select winning pitches from 250 applicants.
CEO of IVS Toshiaki Shimakawa On Why He Chose to Hold IVS2021 in NASU
The story behind IVS’ offline return after the pandemic.
See SHE’s Winning Pitch Deck From IVS2021 NASU LAUNCHPAD
This is the second woman-led startup to win in the history of LAUNCHPAD.
LAUNCHPAD Winners: Where Are They Now?
We’re following up on the amazing achievements made by the latest three LAUNCHPAD winners.
Announcing the Winners of IVS2022 LAUNCHPAD NAHA
Founded in 2007, IVS LAUNCHPAD select winning pitches from 250 applicants.
CEO of IVS Toshiaki Shimakawa On Why He Chose to Hold IVS2021 in NASU
The story behind IVS’ offline return after the pandemic.
See SHE’s Winning Pitch Deck From IVS2021 NASU LAUNCHPAD
This is the second woman-led startup to win in the history of LAUNCHPAD.