Disrupting Japan: Startups and Venture Capital in Japan Tim Romero
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- Business
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Startups and venture capital work differently in Japan and are developing in very different ways. Disrupting Japan introduces you to some of the most important innovator in Japan and explains what it’s really like to be an innovator in a society that prizes conformity.
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How VCs drive (and murder) global startup ambition in Japan
So what keeps Japanese startups stuck in Japan?
It's not a lack of opportunity or ambition. It's not a lack of knowledge or talent. In fact, one of Japan's most experienced venture capitalists thinks that the VCs themselves that are the problem.
Today we sit down with Ken Yasunaga, founder and Managing Partner of Global Hands On VC, a fund focused on finding and supporting the Japanese startups with the highest potential to succeed in the global market.
Before founding GHOVC, Ken was managing director at INCJ (Japan's public/private $21B venture fund) as well holding multiple leadership positions in the Japan Venture Capital Association.
We talk about the unique opportunities for investment in Japan, the trap of going public here, how some VCs are holding startups back, and why this might be a turning point for Japan's new global startups.
It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it. -
Big News from Disrupting Japan!
It's a very short episode because I just want to let you know what's coming, and to thank you for all your support over the years.
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How to sell innovation in cut-throat, low-margin industries
Some industries need to be dragged kicking and screaming to innovation.
When margins are tight and profits are small, CEOs often don't want to spend a dime on the promise of increased efficiencies or long-term savings, and so external leverage is needed.
Today we talk with Shinya Shimizu, founder and CEO of Elephantech, who explains how he found that leverage in his mission to make the global technology supply chain more environmentally friendly.
We explore how Elephantech and other startups are helping the world meet net-zero targets, strategies for scaling manufacturing startups, and how you can make money while doing good in the world.
It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it. -
Startups need to think global, but you need to beware of being global
Japanese HR departments are in a bit of a panic right now.
The increasing job mobility that startups have unleashed is forcing them to rethink their entire mission.
Today we sit down and Takako Ogawa, co-founder and CEO of Panalyt, a startup at the center of this transformation, and we talk about the changing career paths in Japan, when startups need to change CEOs, and the dangers of going global that people don't seem to talk about.
It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it. -
What today’s headlines don’t tell you about Fusion Energy
Fusion energy promises almost unlimited, inexpensive, clean energy.
That's a pretty big promise.
Today we sit down with Satoshi Konishi, co-founder and CEO of Kyoto Fusioneering, and we talk about what it is really going to take to develop commercially viable fusion power and the role that startups have to play in that process.
We talk about the emerging public-private research partnerships, who is pulling ahead in the fusion race, and we dig into the long history and near future of fusion energy
It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it. -
One soil startup’s unusual and risky scaling secret
Most sustainability startups struggle to find sustainable business models
Towing, however, has found their solution, and their customers are seeing 20% to 70% increases crop yields.
Today we sit down with Towing co-founder Teppei Okamura and he explains why even such a drastic yield improvement required an innovative production and distribution model to achieve scale.
We also talk about the advantages (and the challenges) of working with university research teams, how environment policy and carbon credits affect innovation in sustainable agriculture, and Towing's joint research project with JAXA, Japan's space agency, on developing farming in space.
It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it.
Customer Reviews
5 stars
Solid content on business and startups in Japan. A rare podcast!
My favourite new podcast on business / startups
Disrupting Japan is my new favourite podcast dedicated to business / startups. Several things make it stand out: Tim’s vast knowledge of the Japanese startup scene, generous guests who candidly share their wealth of knowledge, a fantastic format (insightful probing questions that keep interviews moving), and attention to detail (really appreciate the links in the show notes and the show transcripts). Other podcasters take note – the Disrupting Japan podcast should be used as a model of how to showcase new and exciting startups from around the world. Please keep up the good work!