Celebrating Five Years of CIC Japan: Pioneering Startup Ecosystem Growth

CIC Japan's 5th Anniversary Celebration

CIC Japan, headquartered in Tokyo's Toranomon area and founded by CEO Tim Row, is gearing up for a significant milestone: the celebration of its fifth anniversary on October 2, 2025. This special event, titled "CIC Japan 5th Anniversary ~ A Journey of Impact and Beyond," will be hosted at CIC Tokyo as a special edition of the Thursday Gathering, typically held every Thursday. The event aims to reflect on the trajectory of CIC over the past five years while exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the startup ecosystem.

Since its inception in October 2020 as CIC's first Asia-based hub, CIC Tokyo has played a crucial role in fostering support for startups in Japan. At that time, the startup scene was in its infancy and the ecosystem was yet to be fully developed. However, with an increasing wave of support for entrepreneurs both domestically and internationally, CIC Japan has served as a vital intersection, connecting government bodies, academia, investors, corporations, and entrepreneurs, thereby generating numerous opportunities and challenges for innovation.

To date, CIC Tokyo has attracted a diverse array of startups from various industries, all striving to innovate and expand their markets. As further evidence of its commitment to regional growth, CIC Japan plans to establish a new hub in Fukuoka's Tenjin area in April 2025, aimed at driving local innovations. Additionally, in the spring of 2026, CIC will unveil a life sciences-focused campus called