DGDV Hosts Global Founders Summit to Connect Startups with Silicon Valley Leaders
On March 26, 2026, DG Daiwa Ventures (DGDV) successfully organized the Global Founders Summit at the Tokyo Innovation Base in Yurakucho. This significant event aimed to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and Japanese startups, attracting around 300 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and policy-makers. The discussions revolved around strategies for scaling Japanese startups in the global market, featuring prominent speakers like OpenAI representatives, former Finance Minister Kazunobu Kato, and Dr. Richard Dasher from Stanford University.
DGDV has been dedicated to supporting Japanese startups in earning foreign currency in the global market. The summit brought together top players from Silicon Valley, including leading technology firms, investors, and accelerators, to share cutting-edge insights with Japanese entrepreneurs. The event also highlighted Tokyo's commitment to developing a robust startup ecosystem, led by officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, who sent a strong message regarding the acceleration of startups' international expansion.
The summit opened with a compelling message from Tokyo's Deputy Governor, Manabu Miyasaka, who praised the establishment of the Overseas Startup Investment Promotion Council. He elaborated on Tokyo's strategies for becoming a leading startup city, including the "Global Innovation Strategy 2.0 STARTUP & SCALEUP" and various initiatives to support globally ambitious startups. Miyasaka emphasized Tokyo's strong backing for nurturing unicorn companies in Japan and called upon both domestic and international ecosystem players to actively participate in the upcoming SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 event.
Former Finance Minister Kazunobu Kato underscored national support for startup policies during his keynote address. He welcomed the council's establishment and likened the growth of AI in Japan to Japan's Meiji Restoration, highlighting the government's strategy to bolster economic growth driven by AI and startups.
Dr. Richard Dasher, Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center at Stanford University, shared insights from a Silicon Valley perspective, discussing the rapid growth of Japan's startup ecosystem. He addressed Japan's unique challenges, such as the lack of entrepreneurs with experience in fundraising and exit strategies, proposing potential breakthroughs in these areas. DGDV Managing Director Yamato Watanabe moderated this engaging discussion.
The summit featured a keynote presentation by Jaewon Lee from OpenAI, focusing on solutions for startups. This was followed by a session involving Replit and Inception Studio, where the importance of integrating evolving AI technologies into corporate systems was discussed. Participants appreciated the opportunity to experience firsthand the speed and strategic vision prevalent in the startup ecosystem of Silicon Valley.
DGDV views the Global Founders Summit as a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to foster a thriving startup community. Looking ahead, DGDV plans to collaborate with like-minded companies and global investors to support Japanese startups in scaling internationally.
Name: Global Founders Summit
Sponsor: Japan Venture Capital Association, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Date: March 26, 2026, from 16:30 to 20:15
Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base, 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Key Speakers:
DG Daiwa Ventures is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm focused on investing in seed and early-stage startups. By collaborating with leading global investors through co-investment and event partnerships, DGDV has been at the forefront of nurturing cutting-edge technologies across various fields, from AI and security software to deep tech and robotics. Our mission is to bridge the gaps in Japan and globally, transforming the startup ecosystem through strategic investments that promote innovation on a global scale.
Learn more about DGDV
Background and Objectives of the Event
DGDV has been dedicated to supporting Japanese startups in earning foreign currency in the global market. The summit brought together top players from Silicon Valley, including leading technology firms, investors, and accelerators, to share cutting-edge insights with Japanese entrepreneurs. The event also highlighted Tokyo's commitment to developing a robust startup ecosystem, led by officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, who sent a strong message regarding the acceleration of startups' international expansion.
Event Highlights
1. Opening Remarks by Tokyo's Deputy Governor, Manabu Miyasaka
The summit opened with a compelling message from Tokyo's Deputy Governor, Manabu Miyasaka, who praised the establishment of the Overseas Startup Investment Promotion Council. He elaborated on Tokyo's strategies for becoming a leading startup city, including the "Global Innovation Strategy 2.0 STARTUP & SCALEUP" and various initiatives to support globally ambitious startups. Miyasaka emphasized Tokyo's strong backing for nurturing unicorn companies in Japan and called upon both domestic and international ecosystem players to actively participate in the upcoming SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 event.
2. Ministerial Support by Former Finance Minister, Kazunobu Kato
Former Finance Minister Kazunobu Kato underscored national support for startup policies during his keynote address. He welcomed the council's establishment and likened the growth of AI in Japan to Japan's Meiji Restoration, highlighting the government's strategy to bolster economic growth driven by AI and startups.
3. Perspectives from Silicon Valley on Japanese Startups
Dr. Richard Dasher, Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center at Stanford University, shared insights from a Silicon Valley perspective, discussing the rapid growth of Japan's startup ecosystem. He addressed Japan's unique challenges, such as the lack of entrepreneurs with experience in fundraising and exit strategies, proposing potential breakthroughs in these areas. DGDV Managing Director Yamato Watanabe moderated this engaging discussion.
4. OpenAI's Collaborative Solutions for Startups
The summit featured a keynote presentation by Jaewon Lee from OpenAI, focusing on solutions for startups. This was followed by a session involving Replit and Inception Studio, where the importance of integrating evolving AI technologies into corporate systems was discussed. Participants appreciated the opportunity to experience firsthand the speed and strategic vision prevalent in the startup ecosystem of Silicon Valley.
Future Outlook
DGDV views the Global Founders Summit as a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to foster a thriving startup community. Looking ahead, DGDV plans to collaborate with like-minded companies and global investors to support Japanese startups in scaling internationally.
Event Overview
Name: Global Founders Summit
Sponsor: Japan Venture Capital Association, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Date: March 26, 2026, from 16:30 to 20:15
Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base, 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Key Speakers:
- - Manabu Miyasaka (Tokyo Deputy Governor)
- - Dr. Richard Dasher (Stanford University)
- - Yamato Watanabe (DG Daiwa Ventures)
- - Jaewon Lee (OpenAI, Solution Architect)
- - Kazunobu Kato (Member of the House of Representatives)
- - John Whaley (Inception Studio, Founder & CEO)
- - Megan Ruan (Replit, Head of International Partnership)
- - Kenji Makiguchi (DG Daiwa Ventures)
About DGDV
DG Daiwa Ventures is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm focused on investing in seed and early-stage startups. By collaborating with leading global investors through co-investment and event partnerships, DGDV has been at the forefront of nurturing cutting-edge technologies across various fields, from AI and security software to deep tech and robotics. Our mission is to bridge the gaps in Japan and globally, transforming the startup ecosystem through strategic investments that promote innovation on a global scale.
Learn more about DGDV
Topics Consumer Technology）
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