Empowering New Business Creation: The GEMStartup TOKYO Initiative

Empowering New Business Creation in Tokyo

In Tokyo, a significant initiative called GEMStartup TOKYO seeks to connect the expertise and ideas developed within large corporations with aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. Recently, on July 8, an event designed to enhance the momentum of this project was held at the Tokyo Innovation Base. This gathering brought together practitioners and supporters dedicated to new business creation, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and ample networking opportunities to share invaluable practical knowledge.

During the networking session that followed, attendees actively exchanged ideas, exploring potential collaborations that could lead to successful new ventures. Participants expressed their excitement, stating, “Being here naturally ignites my passion and motivates me to keep going,” and “Listening to various speakers felt like pressing the accelerator in my heart. It renewed my thoughts about the option of entrepreneurial endeavors.” Such sentiments underscored the high energy and enthusiasm present in the venue.

GEMStartup TOKYO offers a variety of programs targeted at individuals aiming to launch new businesses within their companies, including a “Business Development Program” and a “New Business Creation Platform.” In addition, it provides a “Collaboration Model” to support departments facilitating the progress of new ventures. Through lectures, workshops, individual mentoring, pitch opportunities, and networking, GEMStartup TOKYO aims to nurture new business creation and continue fostering connections between challengers and supporters.

Keynote Address: The Secrets to Success in Corporate Innovation

Presenter: Minoru Moriya, New Business Entrepreneur

Minoru Moriya highlighted the necessity of approaching new business initiatives as separate from existing business operations. He emphasized that in larger corporations, well-established decision-making and evaluation frameworks often hinder the growth of new ventures. He encouraged attendees to distance themselves from such constraints and instead focus on validating customer value, business hypotheses, and revenue structures step by step.

Moriya believes that new businesses can indeed be successfully created, but he cautioned that many tend to repeat the same mistakes—especially in large corporations where conventional thinking often gets carried over into new venture discussions. He stressed the importance of determining who the target customer is, identifying the value proposition for that customer, designing steps to convert initial customers into loyal ones, and figuring out how to generate profits from these efforts.

Panel Discussion: Overcoming Challenges in New Business Creation

Panelists: Makoto Nishida (CEO of MOONRAKERS TECHNOLOGIES) & Yuta Watanabe (CEO of Carjany)

During the panel discussion, various challenges faced by new business initiatives were addressed. The panelists encouraged the use of external partnerships and models like entrepreneurial secondments, combined with small-scale experiments, as ways to navigate corporate constraints. They underscored the importance of transforming internal barriers into actionable plans, inviting participants to consider how they could implement suggested strategies in their own contexts.

Watanabe offered insights about engaging upper management by framing new ventures as solutions to core business challenges rather than simply personal aspirations. Nishida spoke about the significance of starting small and gradually demonstrating results to gain broader acceptance, highlighting that existing corporate assets could serve the new venture if leveraged correctly.

As the discussions concluded, the panelists sent encouraging messages to the participants, urging them to harness their innovative spirits and take decisive actions towards entrepreneurship. The atmosphere was charged with optimism and determination, showcasing the potential of GEMStartup TOKYO to be a catalyst for change in the business landscape of Tokyo.

About GEMStartup TOKYO

GEMStartup TOKYO is an initiative by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government aimed at connecting the know-how and ideas from large private companies with entrepreneurial aspirations. It facilitates support for business development by collaborating with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and professionals across various sectors, creating pathways for new business creation.

For more information, visit the GEMStartup TOKYO website.