#Japan #Agora #Machida #LEVEL UP STAGE #B-to-B Accelerator

LEVEL UP STAGE 2026 Special Webinar

On June 10th, 2026, a pivotal webinar titled "Turning Business Contests and Accelerators into Growth Engines" will take place, hosted by AGORA, a company headquartered in Machida, Tokyo. As part of the ongoing initiative to empower entrepreneurs, this event marks the seventh installment of the LEVEL UP STAGE 2026 business competition series. The theme for this year's competition is "Connections Drive Business Forward," focusing on addressing the challenges faced by entrepreneurs by leveraging local resources and networks to elevate their businesses.

This special webinar aims to enlighten participants about the practical usage of business competitions. The esteemed guest speaker for this session will be Mitsuaki Shimodaira, the CEO of ToHanase Inc., a startup that has rapidly grown by actively participating in a variety of business contests and accelerator programs. He will share firsthand experiences and insights that have facilitated swift expansion in his venture.

Webinar Highlights

The webinar targets aspiring entrepreneurs and current startup founders, covering essential themes such as:

• - Effective utilization of business contests and accelerator programs
• - Strategies for building relationships with investors and securing funding
• - Key principles that drive business growth through competitions

ToHanase Inc., based in Kanagawa Prefecture, has effectively leveraged numerous business contests and accelerator programs for significant growth, demonstrating tangible outcomes and strategies for success. Participants can expect to gain invaluable wisdom on how to navigate the competitive landscape and utilize these platforms to their advantage.

Event Details

• - Date: June 10, 2026
• - Time: 18:00 - 19:30 (Japan Time)
• - Format: Online via Zoom Webinar
• - Cost: Free of charge

Participation Instructions

To participate, please fill out the registration form available at:
Registration Form

Schedule

• - 18:00: Opening remarks
• - 18:05: Keynote Session: "Turning Business Contests and Accelerators into Growth Engines"
• - 19:05: Introduction to the LEVEL UP STAGE 2026 competition
• - 19:30: Close of event

Content Overview

The session will address real growth journeys and experiences, including:

• - The nature of the business undertaken by participants
• - Strategies that led to sustained growth
• - Participation in various contests and accelerators
• - Converting experiences into growth strategies
• - Insights into funding processes during Seed and Pre-Series A rounds
• - Future strategies and potential developments

Transforming Competitions into Growth Engines

Key points to be discussed include:

• - Refining your business concept during the entry phase
• - Building relations with supporters and large enterprises post-selection
• - Understanding the pathways from competitions to securing funding
• - Awareness of the common pitfall that winning contests does not automatically ensure business growth

About the Guest Speaker

Mitsuaki Shimodaira, CEO of ToHanase Inc., will share his unique insights into the healthcare and nursing industry and how his ventures adapt to the dynamic market needs through innovative solutions such as the online consultation platform.

Notes

• - Participants should be aware of potential technical issues during streaming.
• - Recording or media sharing of the event's content is prohibited.
• - Connectivity charges will be borne by participants.

The personal data collected during this event will solely be used for managing the webinar and related services, ensuring comprehensive support for entrepreneurs.

This enlightening session is organized by AGORA, in collaboration with the Machida New Industry Creation Center and Tama Shinkin Bank. Join us to redefine the way you view business contests and accelerators!