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G's Academy Marks a Decade of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

On June 27, 2025, G's Academy, a renowned school for engineers and entrepreneurs operated by Digital Hollywood, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a symposium titled 'Bring Back the Garage'. This event, recognized as a side event of the largest startup conference in Japan, IVS KYOTO 2025, was held at the Tokyo campus near Harajuku Station, utilizing a hybrid format that combined in-person participation with live streaming on YouTube.

Symposium Overview

The symposium featured distinguished speakers and panellists who shared insights from the startup ecosystem and reflected on the evolution of entrepreneurship in Japan over the past decade.

Panel Discussion 1: Reflecting on the Past Decade of Startups

The first panel discussion revolved around the theme of the startup scene over the last ten years and what lies ahead. The panel featured two notable figures: Kei Ueda, Editor at the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and Akihisa Suzuki, Deputy Editor at ASCII STARTUP, who have both experienced the startup landscape for over a decade. Facilitated by Hiroyasu Kodama, G's Founder and Executive Officer of Digital Hollywood, this session delved into significant trends and changes that have shaped the industry.

Startup Beginnings (Circa 2015)

Ueda reflected on the nascent years of the startup ecosystem, mentioning the emergence of support facilities like Google Campus Tokyo and DMM.make AKIBA. He noted that media outlets gradually began adopting the term “startup” around 2016, marking a crucial shift in the public’s perception of entrepreneurship.

The Rise of Digital Transformation (2018-2020)

The period from 2018 to 2020 marked a pivotal shift with advancements in technologies like 5G, blockchain, and AI, which fundamentally altered the landscape of startups. This era saw the emergence of Digital Transformation (DX) as a key focal point in media circles, driving collaborations between startups and large corporations. Ueda pointed out that post-2018, startup stories began gaining significant public interest, transforming societal understanding from “What is a startup?” to acknowledging their substantial societal impact.

Suzuki also highlighted the global shift in startup strategies, citing Facebook's rebranding as Meta, emphasizing the importance of diversifying business portfolios rather than relying solely on existing service models.

Growth and New Models Post-COVID (2021-Present)

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape evolved even further. In 2022, the Japanese government initiated the Startup Growth Five-Year Plan, focusing on fostering unicorns through public-private partnerships. Notably, a surge in DX-focused startups shifted pitching events towards SaaS models. The panelists discussed the need for startups to explore varied exit strategies beyond traditional IPOs, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

The Emerging Entrepreneurial Identity

The discussion also touched upon changes in the entrepreneurial identity and demographic shifts over the past decade. Ueda remarked on the increasing support for university-originated startups, while Suzuki noted the role of diverse founding teams in shaping the future startup ecosystem. Notably, younger generations are embracing entrepreneurship as a means to address social challenges, and female entrepreneurs are becoming more prevalent, signalling a shift in values towards more inclusive business practices.

Future Outlook for Startups

As the discussion progressed, both speakers shared their visions for the next decade of startups. Ueda emphasized the importance of addressing societal issues through innovative solutions, while Suzuki expressed confidence in the potential of deep tech to create new industries, particularly highlighting hopes for Japan's leading role in the space sector.

Panel Discussion 2: Reflections on the Startup Movement

The second part of the symposium featured Yoshihiko Takakubo, Deputy Dean and Professor at GLOBIS Graduate School of Management, engaging in dialogue with Kodama. They discussed the evolution of values and work practices in the entrepreneurial education landscape over the past ten years.

Evolving Norms in Entrepreneurship

Takakubo noted the transformative influence of societal events such as the 2011 earthquake and the pandemic, which fostered a shift towards individual resilience and self-governance. He pointed out that today’s students exhibit unique information consumption habits, often favoring platforms like YouTube over traditional media, shaping their values and engagements in the business realm.

Entrepreneurship as a Path to Authentic Living

The duo highlighted a growing trend among GLOBIS students—greater interest in social entrepreneurship that addresses both macro-level and personal community issues. Takakubo reinforced that impactful entrepreneurship does not necessitate massive scales but rather meaningful contributions to local communities, aligning personal values with business objectives.

The Need for Career Education

Takakubo called for enhanced career education within Japan, noting that fruitful self-reflection on past experiences and leadership aspirations is crucial in crafting one's career. He argued for an earlier introduction of entrepreneurial models to students, embracing diversity in career paths.

Technological Integration in Learning

Takakubo also emphasized the significance of hands-on learning, asserting that true understanding requires more than theoretical knowledge—an experiential approach is vital in today’s tech-driven world. Both he and Kodama concurred that education should inspire deeper self-awareness among students, ultimately guiding them towards fulfilling personal and professional dreams.

Closing Reflections

The symposium showcased G's Academy's journey over the past decade and its commitment to evolving alongside the dynamic startup movement. Originally launched in 2015 from a shared office space, G's Academy’s mission has remained steadfast: supporting individuals eager to enact change through technology. With over 110 startups birthed and 161 billion yen in funding secured, G’s has proved itself as a nurturing ground for aspiring entrepreneurs.

As G's Academy rebranded to focus inclusively on all aspiring changemakers, its new mission emphasizes breaking conventional boundaries through creativity and collaboration. The journey continues as G's Academy fosters innovation, inspiring the next generation of thinkers and doers who are poised to reshape our world.

Learn more about G's Academy: G's Academy