IVS LAUNCHPAD, one of the largest pitch competitions in Japan, where many startups gather to have a fierce competition to evaluate who is the winner. Following a rigorous selection process, the finalists pitch and compete for the top spot in front of an investor panel, venture capitalists, and major corporations. This intense pitch session, resulting in large-scale fundraising, business alliances, and M&A, has dramatically changed the lives of the finalists. There are many successful cases of funding and IPO from past IVS LAUNCHPAD finalists.
IVS2021 LAUNCHPAD NASU is coming on November 19, 2021 (Friday).
Introducing IVS 2021 LAUNCHPAD NASU Judges
Besides announcing this year’s LAUNCHPAD judges on the IVS official Twitter, we interviewed the judges about their motivations for participating in IVS LAUNCHPAD! Check out what they have to say and tell us your thoughts down below.
Tsuneo Watanabe, Director, Nihon M&A Center Inc.
It’s not just about winning with a single service. I am looking forward to meeting the management team who has the vision or philosophy to create a company that is a part of an infrastructure for society and an ever-growing organization.
I am looking forward to attending IVS which is at last offline after two years. I have heard that more than 150 companies applied for LAUNCHPAD, and we only have 14 finalists. I hope that LAUNCHPAD will serve as a launching pad to boost the business growth for all the challengers. As the lead managing securities company, Daiwa Securities will support the future development of your business through fundraising and business alliances. Let’s aim for an IPO together.
Kotaro Chiba, Representative Director, Chiba Dojo
We have invested in many LAUNCHPAD finalists. We are looking forward to meeting the next unicorn!
Joe Hirao, CEO, ZIGExN Co., Ltd.
“I want you to meet the expectations of all your employees, truly come to win, and never regret,” this is what I think whenever I judge a competition. We, the judges, take you seriously as much as you do. I am looking forward to meeting entrepreneurs who offer “different solutions” and change the world.
Atsushi Nouchi, President and Group CEO, DIGITAL HOLDINGS, Inc./Founder & Partner, Bonds Investment Group
It has been a long time since I judged the IVS LAUNCHPAD, so I am looking forward to seeing the pitches of all the finalists. I will be judging from my perspectives both as a business owner and as an investor.
Akiyuki Minami, Chairperson, coconala Inc.
When founded, coconala might not be a popular business, but I was encouraged by the high praise I received from the judges in Launchpad. As a first-time judge, I would like to support startups that have undiscovered potential, in my view, rather than simply picking a winner. I look forward to meeting entrepreneurs who are passionate about what they do.
Yusuke Asakura, Co-Founder, Signifiant Inc.
As seen in the recent large-scale fundraising activities, people are raising their expectations placed on startups as players who pioneer new industries. In LAUNCHPAD, where Japan’s leading young startups gather, I look forward to meeting entrepreneurs who aspire to meet the world’s expectations and solve social problems.
Akinori Harada, Managing Executive Officer CSO, DeNA Co., Ltd
I am looking forward to meeting startups from all fields! Personally, I will continue to look out for ToC and SMB products and platforms! Cheers.
Riku Sugie, CEO, Paidy Inc.
Do you have a story that resonates with people, are you aware of the profit pool that you need to target with sufficient TAM, and do you have the desire to grow to be someone important, leading a great team that can build the story? I am grateful to have the opportunity to encourage business owners who are carefully and greedily working their way forward with an awareness of every corner of their business, their team, and themselves.
Hiroki Teshima, General Partner, XTech Ventures
In 2013, I competed and won second place in Launchpad. The winner was freee k.k. and in third place, came MoneyForward! Since then, our business achievements have varied and changed places. Although the pitch time is limited, it is a place where you can earn something worthy of the effort you put into pitch preparation, so do your best with no regrets!
Katsuhisa Kinoshita, Representative Director & President, Kitanotatsujin Corporation
We have never been able to gather data and information as rapidly and easily as we do today. I look forward to meeting the buds of business blossom who prepare thoroughly in advance for “a success coming from 70% preparation and 30% challenge”.
Mariko Yazawa, Founder/GP, Yazawa Ventures
The LAUNCHPAD event is always exciting for me, and I think I now feel the startups’ enthusiasm more than ever since LAUNCHPAD hasn’t been offline for so long. Every moment matters. I am looking forward to seeing startups pitch with their strong personalities and grow dramatically from there!
Shinji Asada, Representative & CEO, One Capital
I am looking forward to hearing about (1) Why do you do it? (Why do you want to start your business?), (2) Market potential (even though it is a small market, it has potential if it is growing rapidly), and (3) USP (Unique Selling Point) of your product.
Takeshi Kaneko, Partner, East Ventures
I am honored to serve as a judge again for IVS LAUNCHPAD, which has generated many well-known startups. It is becoming increasingly difficult to judge startups as they are progressing year by year and there is little to choose between them. I look forward to meeting with amazing companies again this year.
Shota Kawaminami, Executive Officer, HENNGE
I am honored to be a judge at LAUNCHPAD, which has brought up many startups to the world. I am very excited to see entrepreneurs pitch with their ideas, business plans, and passion! I am looking forward to witnessing the moment when startups, which will lead Japan in the future, take off!
Katsura Ito, Chief Learning Officer, General Manager of the Professional Skill Development Division, Microsoft Japan
Tokyo has climbed all the way up to 9th place in the Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking. Similar to Meiji Restoration, the pandemic has also become a changing factor for Japan, which had been looking backward. Existing values, restrictive social systems, regulations, old values, and many other things are drastically changing, and this is a great opportunity for startups. I look forward to witnessing the power that will develop and change Japan for the better.
Shinichi Takamiya, Managing Partner, GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS & CO.
Japan’s startup ecosystem has been creating unicorns and the number of unicorns has been increasing. I believe that the next challenge for Japan’s ecosystem is to create trillion-level decacorns. At LAUNCHPAD, I look forward to meeting startups that can achieve further than Japan’s market and go worldwide or can dominate the huge domestic market with digital performance.
Paul McInerney, General Partner, Incubate Fund KK
After LAUNCHPAD ENTERTAINMENT, this is my second experience as a judge for IVS LAUNCHPAD, which has generated many top startups. Over the past 20 years, GAFAM has contributed 70% or more to the growth of the US stock market. I believe that startups will also play a major role in Japan’s growth, so I am really looking forward to hearing passionate pitches from startups that want to compete on the global stage!
Masataka Matsumoto, General Partner & Co-Founder, WiL, LLC
LAUNCHPAD provides me with a realistic experience which makes me excited.
Tsuneo Watanabe, Director, Nihon M&A Center Inc.
It’s not just about winning with a single service. I am looking forward to meeting the management team who has the vision or philosophy to create a company that is a part of an infrastructure for society and an ever-growing organization.
I am looking forward to attending IVS which is at last offline after two years. I have heard that more than 150 companies applied for LAUNCHPAD, and we only have 14 finalists. I hope that LAUNCHPAD will serve as a launching pad to boost the business growth for all the challengers. As the lead managing securities company, Daiwa Securities will support the future development of your business through fundraising and business alliances. Let’s aim for an IPO together.
Kotaro Chiba, Representative Director, Chiba Dojo
We have invested in many LAUNCHPAD finalists. We are looking forward to meeting the next unicorn!
Joe Hirao, CEO, ZIGExN Co., Ltd.
“I want you to meet the expectations of all your employees, truly come to win, and never regret,” this is what I think whenever I judge a competition. We, the judges, take you seriously as much as you do. I am looking forward to meeting entrepreneurs who offer “different solutions” and change the world.
Atsushi Nouchi, President and Group CEO, DIGITAL HOLDINGS, Inc./Founder & Partner, Bonds Investment Group
It has been a long time since I judged the IVS LAUNCHPAD, so I am looking forward to seeing the pitches of all the finalists. I will be judging from my perspectives both as a business owner and as an investor.
Akiyuki Minami, Chairperson, coconala Inc.
When founded, coconala might not be a popular business, but I was encouraged by the high praise I received from the judges in Launchpad. As a first-time judge, I would like to support startups that have undiscovered potential, in my view, rather than simply picking a winner. I look forward to meeting entrepreneurs who are passionate about what they do.
Yusuke Asakura, Co-Founder, Signifiant Inc.
As seen in the recent large-scale fundraising activities, people are raising their expectations placed on startups as players who pioneer new industries. In LAUNCHPAD, where Japan’s leading young startups gather, I look forward to meeting entrepreneurs who aspire to meet the world’s expectations and solve social problems.
Akinori Harada, Managing Executive Officer CSO, DeNA Co., Ltd
I am looking forward to meeting startups from all fields! Personally, I will continue to look out for ToC and SMB products and platforms! Cheers.
Riku Sugie, CEO, Paidy Inc.
Do you have a story that resonates with people, are you aware of the profit pool that you need to target with sufficient TAM, and do you have the desire to grow to be someone important, leading a great team that can build the story? I am grateful to have the opportunity to encourage business owners who are carefully and greedily working their way forward with an awareness of every corner of their business, their team, and themselves.
Hiroki Teshima, General Partner, XTech Ventures
In 2013, I competed and won second place in Launchpad. The winner was freee k.k. and in third place, came MoneyForward! Since then, our business achievements have varied and changed places. Although the pitch time is limited, it is a place where you can earn something worthy of the effort you put into pitch preparation, so do your best with no regrets!
Katsuhisa Kinoshita, Representative Director & President, Kitanotatsujin Corporation
We have never been able to gather data and information as rapidly and easily as we do today. I look forward to meeting the buds of business blossom who prepare thoroughly in advance for “a success coming from 70% preparation and 30% challenge”.
Mariko Yazawa, Founder/GP, Yazawa Ventures
The LAUNCHPAD event is always exciting for me, and I think I now feel the startups’ enthusiasm more than ever since LAUNCHPAD hasn’t been offline for so long. Every moment matters. I am looking forward to seeing startups pitch with their strong personalities and grow dramatically from there!
Shinji Asada, Representative & CEO, One Capital
I am looking forward to hearing about (1) Why do you do it? (Why do you want to start your business?), (2) Market potential (even though it is a small market, it has potential if it is growing rapidly), and (3) USP (Unique Selling Point) of your product.
Takeshi Kaneko, Partner, East Ventures
I am honored to serve as a judge again for IVS LAUNCHPAD, which has generated many well-known startups. It is becoming increasingly difficult to judge startups as they are progressing year by year and there is little to choose between them. I look forward to meeting with amazing companies again this year.
Shota Kawaminami, Executive Officer, HENNGE
I am honored to be a judge at LAUNCHPAD, which has brought up many startups to the world. I am very excited to see entrepreneurs pitch with their ideas, business plans, and passion! I am looking forward to witnessing the moment when startups, which will lead Japan in the future, take off!
Katsura Ito, Chief Learning Officer, General Manager of the Professional Skill Development Division, Microsoft Japan
Tokyo has climbed all the way up to 9th place in the Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking. Similar to Meiji Restoration, the pandemic has also become a changing factor for Japan, which had been looking backward. Existing values, restrictive social systems, regulations, old values, and many other things are drastically changing, and this is a great opportunity for startups. I look forward to witnessing the power that will develop and change Japan for the better.
Shinichi Takamiya, Managing Partner, GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS HOLDINGS & CO.
Japan’s startup ecosystem has been creating unicorns and the number of unicorns has been increasing. I believe that the next challenge for Japan’s ecosystem is to create trillion-level decacorns. At LAUNCHPAD, I look forward to meeting startups that can achieve further than Japan’s market and go worldwide or can dominate the huge domestic market with digital performance.
Paul McInerney, General Partner, Incubate Fund KK
After LAUNCHPAD ENTERTAINMENT, this is my second experience as a judge for IVS LAUNCHPAD, which has generated many top startups. Over the past 20 years, GAFAM has contributed 70% or more to the growth of the US stock market. I believe that startups will also play a major role in Japan’s growth, so I am really looking forward to hearing passionate pitches from startups that want to compete on the global stage!
Masataka Matsumoto, General Partner & Co-Founder, WiL, LLC
LAUNCHPAD provides me with a realistic experience which makes me excited.
Tsuneo Watanabe, Director, Nihon M&A Center Inc.
It’s not just about winning with a single service. I am looking forward to meeting the management team who has the vision or philosophy to create a company that is a part of an infrastructure for society and an ever-growing organization.
I am looking forward to attending IVS which is at last offline after two years. I have heard that more than 150 companies applied for LAUNCHPAD, and we only have 14 finalists. I hope that LAUNCHPAD will serve as a launching pad to boost the business growth for all the challengers. As the lead managing securities company, Daiwa Securities will support the future development of your business through fundraising and business alliances. Let’s aim for an IPO together.
We are looking forward to IVS2021 LAUNCHPAD NASU on Friday, November 19, 2021!
The event will also be broadcasted on YouTube. The URL will be announced later on Twitter. Don’t forget to check it out!
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