Phoenixi will host the Cohort 2 Kickoff of its Social Innovator Program (SIP) [Flyer in PDF | JPG], an in-person pitch event at toberu, a Kyoto-based residential incubator for corporate intrapreneurs and social entrepreneurs. The newly selected Fellows will present their impact-driven business ideas, followed by a panel discussion on “University-born startups: the joy, death valley and potential.” The program will conclude with a Q&A and networking session, accompanied by light refreshments 🧀🍷.
Join us to discover how the new Fellows aim to challenge the status quo, what drives their work, and how together we can amplify their social impact!
- When: Friday 12 December 2025
- 17:30 Doors open
- 17:45 Event begins: Remarks | Pitches | Panel
- 19:05 Q&A/networking
- 20:00 Event concludes
- Where: toberu 1 [Access]
- Registration: required. Sign up here.
- Capacity: 80 people (first registered, first served)
- Language: English and Japanese (AI-powered real-time translation available)
Notes:
- No bicycle/car parking available.
- Please bring your business cards. If you own none, we will ask you to write down your name & organization on a piece of paper upon entry.
- Feel free to enter or leave at any time.
- This event will NOT be livestreamed.
[17:30] Doors open | toberu 1
[17:45] Event begins | toberu 1
- Opening remarks:
- Yutaka Iijima | Phoenixi COO & executive director
- Dr Sachiko Kuno | Phoenixi Co-founder & executive director
- Pitches | Social Innovator Program (SIP) Cohort 2 Fellows:
- Yvonne Hung | Otelier, Founder and CEO | Otelier: Reviving traditional crafts through design and business innovation
- Ousuke Kambayashi | SHOBIEN KYOTO Textile Director | Ritsumeikan University undergrad in business administration | Conglomerate Born from Traditional Industry
- Ian Knives｜Big Other, Founder and CEO | Big Other: financial learning and smart money for teens
- Heidi Ongkowijaya | Kyoto University Graduate School of Management, MBA candidate | NutriAI: AI-powered meals that prevent senior malnutrition
- Alejandra Rodas | Doshisha Business School, Global MBA ’25 | ReCrea: Vegan leather from used coffee grounds, turning waste into value
- Kazuki Taoka, MD, PhD | The University of Tokyo Hospital associate professor | Clinical application for development of therapy for rare disease | A new real-time diagnostic system to save Sepsis patients
- Panel discussion: “University-born startups: the joy, death valley and potential.”
- Toshikazu Fufuya | Teraverse Co-founder & CEO, Quantum Analytics Founder & CEO, ExaWizards Co-founder [IPO’d]
- Alexander Ryota Keeley, PhD | Kyushu University Graduate School of Engineering associate professor | aiESG co-founder & CRO | MIT Technology Review Innovators U35 Japan
- Yukiko Hashitera [moderator] | Phoenixi Co-founder & CEO
[19:05] Q&A/networking | toberu 1
- A Q&A/networking session with the Fellows, panelists, and event attendees. Refreshments 🧀🍷 will be served.
[20:00] Event concludes
