Kiraboshi Pitch Contest Special Edition: MaaS Tech Japan Takes 2024 Grand Prize

Kiraboshi Pitch Contest Special Edition

The Kiraboshi Pitch contest recently held its special edition, Kiraboshi Innovation Crown, where 2024’s Grand Prize was awarded to MaaS Tech Japan. This initiative is part of the Kiraboshi Group's mission to support startups every month, underlining their vision of a financial and holistic service prowess through Kiraboshi Consulting.

Event Highlights

On the day of the event, five finalists were chosen from 60 companies that pitched their innovative ideas throughout the year, showcasing the creme de la creme of the startup ecosystem. The spotlight was firmly on MaaS Tech Japan, who emerged victorious from the day's pitched presentations.

Part 1: Panel Discussion - Reflections on Exit Strategies

The first part of the event featured a panel discussion with representatives from three companies that successfully executed exit strategies via M&A and IPO listings on the Tokyo Growth Market. Each panelist shared their unique experiences regarding the pressures and challenges that come with the exit process.

Insights from Panelists:

- Ryuun Wu, CEO of a Tokyo-based company, shared, “This invitation allowed us to delve into the various facets of M&A and IPO exits. It’s truly a journey defined by countless variables depending on the perspective and the PMI policies of the parent company.”

- Iwai Gen, Partner of Kiraboshi Consulting Venture Fund Team, expressed, “Understanding the grave nuances of executing an exit based on real experiences was enlightening. Events like these are pivotal in providing invaluable insights into the intricacies of negotiation with buyers and internal stakeholders.”

Part 2: Startup Pitches and Awards Announcement

In the second part of the event, startups participated in pitches to win the annual excellence award. The Kiraboshi Pitch sessions are held every last Friday of the month, targeting seed and early-stage startups for equity financing and collaborations.

This year, five finalist companies, hand-picked based on audience voting and notable engagement, competed for the coveted annual award in front of esteemed judges. The diverse audience comprised representatives from venture capital firms, corporate venture capitalists, and financial institutions, eager to scout new investment opportunities and collaborations.

Announcing the Winner:

- 2024 Grand Prize winner: MaaS Tech Japan.

Hiroyuki Hidaka, CEO of MaaS Tech Japan, stated, “Our mission is to provide an integrated mobility platform. Over the last century, the automotive and public transport sectors have evolved independently. We aim to create a framework that digitally unifies and optimizes them, advancing towards an ideal transportation society for the next century. This award fuels our ambition to pioneer a movement in the mobility space.”

Akihiro Yoshijima, Advisor from Kiraboshi Consulting, added, “We earnestly anticipate the success of your MaaS project, which promises to tackle congestion and foster optimal route solutions. While immense challenges lie ahead, I hope you overcome them to contribute meaningfully to society.”

About Kiraboshi Pitch

The Kiraboshi Pitch is held every last Friday of the month at KicSpace HANEDA, offering both physical and online hybrid events. Plans for 2025 propose yet more varied themes, promising to capture the minds of innovation enthusiasts.

For more information about Kiraboshi Pitch, visit our Event Page on Peatix and join us in celebrating innovation in the startup realm!

Company Overview: Kiraboshi Consulting

Company Name: Kiraboshi Consulting Inc.
Location: 3-10-43, Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founded: July 1984
CEO: Yoshitaka Nakano
Services: Consulting, membership services, human resources
Website