#Startup Growth #For Startups #M&A Conference

M&A for Startups Conference 2026 - Comprehensive Speaker and Session Details Announced

In an effort to boost support for growing industries, For Startups Inc. (based in Minato, Tokyo, led by CEO Yuichiro Shimizu and COO Yukiko Tsuji) is hosting the significant event, "M&A for Startups Conference 2026," in collaboration with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, led by CEO Akihiro Fukutome). The event has now confirmed its full list of speakers, moderators, and detailed session topics.

The conference is structured around five key perspectives: Overview, Selling Companies, Acquiring Companies, Practical Matters (Valuation and PMI), and Venture Capital. Participants will gain a panoramic view of startup M&A while learning from the foremost experts in the field about decision-making processes, practical issues, and the keys to successful deals. The conference will feature six comprehensive sessions.

Session Breakdown

Opening Session (13:10 - 14:00)

New Growth Equation: Startup M&A to Break Japan’s Stagnation
In this session, top leaders from politics, industry, and financial institutions will discuss the significance and potential of startup M&A in Japan's growth strategy. By framing the overall picture, subsequent sessions will delve into specific practical knowledge from differing standpoints: Selling Companies, Acquiring Companies, Practical Matters, and VC.
Speakers:

• - Fumiaki Kobayashi, Member of House of Representatives, Liberal Democratic Party
• - Noboru Saito, President and CEO of BIPROGY Inc., Chairman of Keidanren Startup Committee
• - Akimasa Iritani, Executive Officer, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

Moderator: Shota Umezus, Director at Deloitte Southeast Asia

Session 1 (14:10 - 15:00)

Why Did Those Startups Choose M&A?
Startup entrepreneurs who have undergone M&A will share their experiences and decisions to pursue M&A instead of IPOs, discussing negotiation strategies and post-merger integration (PMI). Through various case studies involving different industries and acquiring companies, this session aims to explore the multifaceted realities of startup M&A.
Speakers:

• - Toru Miyagi, President of UPSIDER Holdings
• - Yuho Ra, Founder and Chairman of GRAND Inc.
• - Naomi Kurahara, CEO of InfoStella Inc.

Moderator: Masahiko Honma, Managing Partner at Incubate Fund

Session 2 (15:10 - 16:00)

Startup M&A as a Survival Strategy for Acquiring Companies
Leading pioneers who have framed startup M&A as a growth strategy will discuss their decision-making processes and the rationale behind acquiring startups. The session will highlight differences from traditional M&A and scrutinize how technology, talent, and business foundations can be aligned for growth.
Speakers:

• - Naoya Kanasaka, Executive Officer of Money Forward, President of Money Forward Home, and Partner at HIRAC FUND
• - Kazuhiko Nakama, Executive Officer, Mizuho Financial Group/Mizuho Bank
• - Masanobu Matsumoto, General Partner and Co-founder of WiL

Moderator: Naochi Akune, Partner at EY Strategy & Consulting, M&A Advisory Lead

Session 3 (16:10 - 17:00)

Convergence of Startup Future Value and Buyer Depreciation
This session tackles one of the most challenging issues in startup M&A: