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F★Pitch: Empowering Startups and Investors

The inaugural event of F★Pitch is set to launch on June 19, marking a significant milestone for the startup ecosystem in Fukuoka. Hosted in the ONE FUKUOKA building's Sky Lobby, this event will recur every third Thursday of each month, providing a consistent platform for innovation and investment. F★Pitch aims to connect burgeoning startups with investors both domestically and internationally through live pitches streamed via the CIC Fukuoka network.

Event Overview

Date and Time

• - June 19, 2024 (Thursday) from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Venue

• - ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F Sky Lobby

(1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)

• - The event will be held in conjunction with the Thursday Gathering at CIC Fukuoka.

Registration

• - Interested participants can apply here.

F★Pitch serves as a vital meeting ground for startups to present their business models while seeking funding and strategic partnerships. Investors will also participate, facilitating greater accessibility to growth capital and support for startups.

Featured Startups

1. PECOFREE
Founded in 2021, PECOFREE revolutionizes the food service industry by allowing users to order bento via their smartphones across Japan. Under the leadership of CEO Tatsuo Kawakami, who has a rich background in industrial food services, the company has experienced rapid growth, especially in the educational and corporate sectors. Recently awarded the Forbes JAPAN Prize, their innovative approach brings convenience to meal ordering.

2. Trinity Technology Inc.
Led by Yoshirō Tanaka, the firm focuses on supporting individuals in the later stages of life through various offerings like family trusts and inheritance planning. Their platform, Oyakoto, leverages technology and expertise, striving to create a society where everyone can live with peace of mind.

3. Minato Investment Co.
Aiming to create new funding opportunities for unlisted companies by linking personal investors with startups, CEO Tatsuya Obatashi spearheads this innovative initiative. With extensive experience raising over 15 billion yen in capital, he seeks to address challenges faced by many VCs due to the impending 2027 fund expiration issue.

4. Groovenotes Inc.
Focusing on democratizing advanced technologies, Groovenotes is known for its cloud platform MAGELLAN BLOCKS, which integrates AI and quantum computing. CEO Hidehiro Saigo has been instrumental in pushing technological boundaries since founding the company in 1998 and succeeding in commercializing quantum computing services in 2019.

5. Fukuoka Prefectural CXO Bank
Operated by Fukuoka Prefecture and managed by Persol Tempstaff, this initiative matches high-caliber management talents with businesses in need of growth strategies since July 2022. With over 700 registered specialists, the program emphasizes diverse expertise to cater to the dynamic needs of modern enterprises.

Benefits of Participating in F★Pitch

1. For Startups:
- Access to investment opportunities from members of the Fukuoka Venture Business Support Council, which includes over 270 companies and organizations like major investors and banks.
- Mentoring from the Global Connect Fukuoka mentors, comprised of leading VCs.
- Ongoing publicity through listings on the Global Connect Fukuoka website's