#Japan #Kyoto #Funds Startups #IVS2025 #Hiroshi Maekawa

Funds Startups at IVS2025: A Rise in Startup Investment

Funds Startups, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, is proud to announce that CEO Hiroshi Maekawa will be participating in two pivotal sessions at the upcoming IVS2025 KYOTO conference. This prestigious event is set to take place from July 2nd to 4th, 2025, at the Miyakomesse and Roam Theatre Kyoto. The conference, a cornerstone of Japan's entrepreneurial ecosystem since its inception in 2007, will focus on the theme of "Reshape Japan with Global Minds."

Day 1 Session: The Reality of IPOs and Crossover Investors

On Day 1 of the conference, Maekawa will address an off-the-record session titled “The Last Ten Years of Startups from the Perspective of Public Investors.” This session, running from 17:00 to 17:40 at the Miyakomesse, will delve into the current dynamics of the IPO landscape in Japan, particularly how the environment has rapidly evolved amid increasing scrutiny and the challenges posed by the small IPO issue.

The Japanese market has wrestled with the influx of delays in IPOs while battling a notable shortage of late-stage investors. The discussion will spotlight the emerging role of crossover investors, who have increasingly become a fixture in the investment landscape. Noteworthy fund managers from Asset Management One, which is actively preparing to launch crossover investment funds in the domestic public market, will share their insights into their investment strategies and the nuances of crossover investing.

You can access more details about this session here: Day 1 Session.

Day 3 Session: The Current Landscape of Startup Growth

The conference continues on Day 3 with another session titled “The Current State of the Five-Year Startup Growth Plan and What Lies Ahead” scheduled for July 4th from 11:00 to 11:40. This session will revisit the ambitious Five-Year Startup Growth Plan, which began in 2022 with the goals of launching 100 unicorns and expanding startup investments to 10 trillion yen.

Now that we have reached the halfway point in 2025, the session will offer a comprehensive review of the milestones achieved thus far and provide insights into the current trends and future strategies in the startup domain, accounting for recent shifts such as revisions in listing standards and issues surrounding accounting fraud.

To find further information, visit the event page here: Day 3 Session.

About IVS2025

The IVS conference serves as Japan’s largest startup event, witnessing the convergence of startups, investors, major corporations, and creators from around the globe. The sessions are designed to foster networking opportunities, pitch contests, and various side events to inspire a collaborative effort in shaping the future of Japan, particularly through innovative thinking and proactive entrepreneurship.

Additionally, on July 5th, IVS will host IVS Youth, a program aimed at instilling entrepreneurial spirit in middle and high school students, thereby paving the way for the next generation of innovators.

This significant conference, organized under the auspices of the IVS KYOTO Executive Committee, promises not only to be a learning hub but also a crucible for transformation in Japan's entrepreneurial landscape.

Official website: IVS Official | Official Twitter: IVS on Twitter

About Funds Startups

Founded in December 2023 as a subsidiary of Funds Inc., Funds Startups is driven by the mission to create frameworks where socially impactful startups thrive optimally. The company focuses on operating the Funds Venture Debt Fund and providing necessary support for venture debt financing through collaboration with financial institutions. Moving forward, Funds Startups aims to take a leading role in diversifying fundraising mechanisms available to startups and enhancing the overall entrepreneurial environment in Japan.