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TIB Premium Mentoring Program Launch

Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) is a vibrant hub aiming to ignite innovation in Tokyo by bringing together domestic and international startups and their supporters. To further its mission, TIB is launching the TIB Premium Mentoring program, aimed at providing promising startups and student entrepreneurs with the opportunity for individual mentoring.

The program will feature notable mentors, including Rei Ogawa, the CEO of Timee, and Akiko Naka, CEO of Wantedly, who will guide selected entrepreneurs in their journey.

Mentor Profiles

Rei Ogawa

• - Founded a clothing-related business, Recolle, at 20 years old.
• - Transitioned the business model in 2017.
• - Launched the Timee service in August 2018, which matches individuals who want to work with businesses that need temporary labor.
• - Ogawa is set to make history as the youngest unicorn to list on the Tokyo Growth Market at just 27 years and 3 months in July 2024.

Akiko Naka

• - A graduate of Kyoto University’s Faculty of Economics.
• - Worked at Goldman Sachs before becoming an early member at Facebook Japan.
• - Founded Wantedly, developing a business social network that officially launched in February 2012, to maximize human connections and individual potential.

Event Details

• - Dates:

- August 26: Mentoring session with Rei Ogawa.
- August 29: Mentoring session with Akiko Naka.

• - Method: In-person mentoring sessions, approximately 30 minutes each (private).
• - Eligibility: Open to startups (founded within the last 10 years) and student entrepreneurs.
• - Capacity: Limited to 2 startups, with a maximum of 4 participants per startup.
• - Participation Fee: Free.
• - Venue:

- Timee’s Tokyo headquarters for Ogawa’s session.
- Wantedly’s headquarters for Naka’s session.

After selection, further details regarding the venue and time will be communicated to successful applicants.

How to Apply

Interested participants should apply by filling out the application form available here: Application Form for Ogawa’s session and this link for Naka’s session. The deadline for applications is August 8 at noon.

Selection Process

Applicants will be evaluated based on their business proposals and reasons for seeking mentorship.

This initiative is part of the 2050 Tokyo Strategy, specifically aimed at creating a nurturing environment for startups, enhancing Tokyo's position as a global innovation hub.