Connecting Decision-Makers: A Summary of the Major Decision-Makers Networking Event in Kyoto

The Major Decision-Makers Networking Event

On July 2, 2026, the Major Decision-Makers Networking Event was held in Kyoto, organized collaboratively by Only Story Corporation and Keep Players. This event gathered a notable crowd of 60 industry leaders, including decision-makers, executives, investors, and entrepreneurs, for an informal yet profound evening of interactions.

Background of the Event

The Infinity Ventures Summit (IVS) has been a significant conference in Japan since 2007, known for being an exclusive event that draws influential figures from various sectors. Traditionally, while the main sessions of IVS attract a diverse audience, the side events have predominantly featured young entrepreneurs and startups. Recognizing this gap, Keep Players, with its strong network of startups and investors, collaborated with Only Story, known for connecting executives and decision-makers, to create an exclusive platform for high-level networking.

The main objective of this event was to facilitate connections among senior executives, creating opportunities that generally do not arise in more typical side events.

Event Overview

- Event Name: Major Decision-Makers Networking Event
- Date: July 2, 2026
- Location: Dining Dart Bar Bee, Kawaramachi, Kyoto
- Co-organizers: Keep Players Corporation and Only Story Corporation
- Attendee Count: 60 professionals from 55 companies (by invitation only)

Participant Insights

The event featured a robust representation of decision-makers, as approximately 78% of attendees held executive positions. The breakdown included:

- CEOs: 18 participants (30.0%)
- Executive Officers: 15 participants (25.0%)
- Directors: 13 participants (21.7%)
- Managers: 9 participants (15.0%)
- Others (Managers, Founding Members, etc.): 5 participants (8.3%)

Moreover, the attending companies varied significantly in size, from startups with fewer than five employees to major enterprises with over 3,000 staff, showcasing a diverse spectrum of experiences:

- Startups (5-30 employees): 31 (51.7%)
- Small to Medium (31-100 employees): 8 (13.3%)
- Medium to Large (101-500 employees): 10 (16.7%)
- Large Enterprises (501+ employees): 11 (18.3%)

A significant 60% of the participants expressed a desire to increase discussions with potential decision-maker clients, highlighting the demand for such targeted networking opportunities.

Comments from the Organizers

Tetsuya Hirano, CEO of Only Story Corporation, expressed his joy over successfully creating a dedicated space for decision-makers to connect. He stated, "We are thrilled to have realized an event focused solely on executives, and the high satisfaction voiced by participants is immensely gratifying. The casual setting of the dining bar facilitated genuine conversations rather than mere business card exchanges. The venue's size and balanced flow contributed positively to the event's overall quality."

Future Prospects

Only Story Corporation is committed to continuously organizing events where decision-makers can engage meaningfully. A glimpse into planned future events includes:

- July 22: Soccer Lovers' Executive Gathering
- July 28: BtoB Decision-Makers Networking
- July 29: Summer Executive Networking Collaboration
- August 6: Executive Poker Tournament

The organization aims to host over ten events monthly where decision-makers can connect. For companies looking to network with executives or who wish to receive information on upcoming gatherings, they can reach out for free consultations through the provided links.