Kazuki TaokaOrganization/Title The University of Tokyo Hospital | Clinical application for development of therapy for rare disease Bio Based on clinical experience, I founded Clinical Application for development of therapy for rare disease, University of Tokyo Hospital in 2023. It has led physician-driven intraocular lymphoma trials and AI COVID-19 prediction, now focusing on real-time sepsis…
Alejandra RodasOrganization/Title Doshisha Business School, Global MBA ’25 Bio Originally from Guatemala, Alejandra is a Global MBA graduate from Doshisha University (2025, Kyoto). She participated in SDGs training, the World Recycling Convention (2024), and ISAP2025. She is now developing ReCrea, a startup with a circular economy model. Business idea in short Vegan leather from used…
Heidi OngkowijayaOrganization/Title Kyoto University Graduate School of Management, MBA ’26 Bio Heidi graduated from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2012, currently pursuing dual degree from Cornell University for Masters in Hospitality and from Kyoto University for MBA. Prior to Masters, Heidi had been working for tech companies in Singapore. Business idea in…
Ian KnivesOrganization/Title Big Other, Founder Bio Originally from Moscow, Ian earned a CEMS MiM and a master’s from Keio University’s Graduate School of Media Design. His professional experience is in cybersecurity and consulting. He founded Big Other in 2025—a pocket-money app with an investing simulator for teens in Japan. Business idea in short Big Other:…
Ousuke KambayashiOrganization/Title SHOBIEN KYOTO Textile Director | Ritsumeikan University undergrad (business administration) Bio At seven, I began selling vintage clothing online. After entering Ritsumeikan University, I interned at Koto3D under a French CEO, then apprenticed at my family workshop, Shobien Kyoto. After a U.S. internship, I returned to Shobien in 2025 to lead its global…
Yvonne HungOrganization/Title Otelier, Founder and CEO Bio Yvonne Hung is a multidisciplinary designer from California and Hong Kong. As founder of Otelier, she merges design, innovation, and craft. Trained in urban planning and UX design, she studied at Stanford, Harvard, the Royal College of Art, and Imperial College. Business idea in short Reviving traditional crafts…
Mutsumi HayashiOrganization Institute of Human and Life, music therapist, PhD, representative Bio Certified music therapist (Japan/USA). Holds a PhD from Kyoto University. Completed graduate studies at Colorado State University after graduating from Osaka College of Music. Conducted clinical research in music therapy at Mihara Memorial Hospital. Currently provides music therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients and…
Kazuhiro IshidaOrganization Daikin Industries, Ltd. – Air Conditioning Sales Division. Bio The energy-efficient renovation project addressing the rising issues of heatstroke and vacant houses Business idea in short The energy-efficient renovation project addressing the rising issues of heatstroke and vacant houses Business idea summary Heatstroke cases are increasing annually, with nearly 40% occurring at home.…
Shingo AkitaOrganization Seed Bank / Advisor Bio Music creator before/after graduation from Osaka university of foreign studies. A precision machineries manufacturer employee for overseas food market including creating company 6-year project. Now, ready for own start-up company. State of Michigan exchange student, studied at Moscow university, MBA at Graduate school of Management, GLOBIS University. Business…
Masahiro ItohOrganization Software Development Group,Product Development 4 Dept. Product Development Division,Business Management Division HQ Device & Module Solutions Company OMRON Corporation Bio Born in Osaka. Interested in image recognition for monitoring elderly people, I studied high-speed image recognition and tilt detection using point cloud processing at Osaka University. I am involved in the development of…
Hiroki YoshidaOrganization Omron Social Solutions Co., Ltd. Business Development Division Social Design Center NEXT Business Design Group Project Leader Bio After studying abroad, I gained experience in corporate sales at G-STAR RAW and launched a Japan-to-Global apparel business at PING GOLF. I later founded IZAKAYA UTOGARIA, earning TripAdvisor awards. After COVID-19, I contributed to business…
Hanna NguyenOrganization Kyoto University Bio Joined Kyoto University in 2022 under the MEXT scholarship (Faculty of Economics). I became interested in entrepreneurship through my graduation research on Kyoto’s startup ecosystem. Since then, I’ve graduated from the Kingfisher Global Leader Program (Silicon Valley) and JICA’s Social Entrepreneurship Program, which deepened my passion for creating social impact.…
Erina AndoOrganization Electronic Materials Group , Research Institute for Bioscience Products & Fine Chemicals , AJINOMOTO CO ., INC. Bio After completing a Master’s degree in Applied Chemistry from the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 2023, I joined Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Since joining the company, I have been engaged in…
Soraya UmewakaOrganization MatchHat CEO Bio Debuted on stage at the National Noh Theatre at age three. Studied comparative politics at Princeton University. Directed documentaries in Lebanon and Brazil, screened at international festivals. Worked at YouTube. Founded MatchHat, a global platform connecting creators in film, music, and gaming. Business idea in short A co-creation platform connecting…
Yu Kimura Founder of the blockchain project Sunrise. He has a track record as a white hacker who rescued 500 million yen worth of stolen cryptocurrency.
Seleznov Ivan Ivan Seleznov, Ph.D., is an accomplished researcher and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Flora Co., Ltd., a FemTech startup dedicated to enhancing women’s well-being through data analysis. Recognized in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 in 2024, Ivan also holds an Affiliate Assistant Professorship at Ritsumeikan University. Previously,…
Chihiro Takenoshita Graduated from International Christian University, earned an MBA from Keio University Graduate School of Business Administration (exchanged to Wharton), and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in public health. Advisor to Nippon Zoki Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., and Director of Business Development at Cyn-K Bio Co., Ltd. As part of my life’s work,…
Misaki Matsumoto Graduated with a major in Neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley. Following graduation, engaged in the research and development of medical data at a startup. Subsequently, contributed to speech recognition and large language model (LLM) development at leading U.S.-based technology firms and startups. Since 2024, has been actively promoting community growth and…
Silas David ReyesOrganization/Title Snack Software – Founder / CEO Bio Grew up in Chicago. Moved to California and spent 11 years in the early years of Google building world-class products as Webmaster/Developer, UI/UX, Engineering Manager. Founded Snack Software dev agency, Snack digital marketplace, Snacktix event ticketing, Stat on-demand pharmacy, Aimashou meetup marketplace and Wika language…
Kyle BarnesOrganization/Title Valuufy Inc. Cofounder & CEO Bio Wisconsin native with global experience in Japan, North and South America, and India. Sustainability and ESG leader with a passion for integrating sustainability into business strategies, enhancing market value, and driving impactful change through innovative, sustainable solutions in dynamic environments. Business idea in short Creating a novel…
Kanon HAGIWARAOrganization/Title Unwind Inc. Bio While studying at Kobe College, I wrote a thesis on “The Evolution of Adult Products Coverage in the Media.” After working in live chat marketing, I founded Unwind Co., Ltd. and launched successful crowdfunding campaigns for sexual wellness products. I’ve appeared in various media, including Politus TV and Asahi News…
Mizuki TawaOrganization/Title Kyoto University School of Public Health M1 I &Company. Inc – CEO Bio Originally from Kyoto, I graduated from Hiroshima University School of Dentistry. After working as a resident dentist at a university hospital, I entered the Graduate School of Medicine at Kyoto University. In the same time, I founded I &Company Inc.…
Emino KobayashiOrganization/Title No current affiliation Bio During my time at university, I spent one year in Whistler, a place known for high resident satisfaction, where I developed an interest in community development and the sharing economy. After graduating, I worked as an iOS engineer at a venture company, engaged in collaborative app development with the…
Mizuha Marumoto Career Summary: – 2012: Gained experience in IT solution planning, development, technical project management, and the entire process of product commercialization at Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. – 2018: Conducted research and development on the new business creation methodology “Emotion Driven” at the Graduate School of Kyoto University. – 2020: Established the venture company…
Yukiko Kuroda Yukiko is Founder and Advisor of People Focus Consulting and is often asked to help executives attain new skills and insights in areas such as strategy development, leadership, change management and communication. She formerly worked as a senior consultant at a major U.S. management-consulting firm and as a marketing representative for Sony Corporation.…
Ken Ikeo
Alexander Ryota Keeley Born in Michigan, USA. After graduating from Kyushu University’s 21st Century Program, he completed his doctoral studies at Kyoto University. He specializes in environmental economics, urban engineering, and sustainable investment. He is a co-founder of Itoshima Mini Hydro Energy Company (co-founder) and aiESG (co-founder and chief researcher), a start-up company from Kyushu…
Gen YamasakiOrganization Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University Tourism and Hospitality Management Course Background Joined Mitsui & Co. as a new graduate and worked primarily in the fashion industry for 18 years. At the age of 40, I changed careers and served as the president of a foreign brand’s Japanese subsidiary for three years. After that,…
Philip Nguyen | Senior FellowOrganization Sustainability Page Background Originally from Orange County, California, Philip graduated from UCLA in 2011 (2 bachelor’s degrees) and Kyoto University in 2016 (master’s and doctoral degrees). In the same year, he founded “Gochiso” an Osaka-based startup. He later launched “mamoru” in 2021 and founded the startup “Sustainability Page” in 2023.…
Yoko OkudaOrganization Nara Folke Background After gaining experience at hospitals and nursing homes and studying human resource development at a graduate school for working adults, I studied abroad in Folke højskole, Denmark in 2020. After returning to Japan, I have been trying to put into practice in Japan the way of life I learned in…
