2024.4.26
Event Report
Our association is dedicated to improving Japan’s angel investment environment and supporting the growth of startups. We will be sharing various information related to angel investment, including activity reports, latest news, and pitch event reports, on a monthly basis.
In November 2023, our Executive Director, Toshiyuki Yamamoto, participated as one of the judges at the “Uzumasa NINJA PITCH” held in Kyoto. This pitch event, which our association was involved in planning and organizing, featured a unique Kyoto flavor and was a great success.
“Could everyone read the kanji ‘Uzumasa’?”
“Taishi… taishin…?” (The author searches)
The correct answer is the place name “Uzumasa” in Kyoto Prefecture.
What was the origin of the ‘Uzumasa NINJA PITCH,’ considering that pitches showcasing their business models are held across the country?
Yamamoto: We had discussions with our partner member from Kyoto Prefecture about supporting startups in a way that reflects the essence of Kyoto. When we thought about startups that embody the essence of Kyoto, we immediately considered strengths in entertainment fields such as movies, games, anime, and manga. Also, Kyoto’s status as a globally recognized city was a key aspect we considered.
Kyoto Prefecture announced the “Uzumasa Media Park Concept” in 2010, aiming to promote the film and video industry by utilizing various resources unique to Kyoto. Given this initiative, we proposed the idea of holding a business pitch event in “Uzumasa,” where Toei Studios is located. We believed it would be fascinating to host the event in a place with such a strong connection to the entertainment industry. This proposal led to the birth of the “Uzumasa NINJA PITCH,” focusing on the entertainment sector like never before. There hadn’t been many pitch events specialized in entertainment startups, and we hoped that by collaborating with venerable film companies like Toei and Shochiku, we could attract interesting companies from all over the country.
Yes, that’s correct! This event marked the first step towards realizing the Uzumasa Media Park Concept.
The results of the pitch competition are as follows:
● Matsuzaki Award: Mr. Tomohisa Ikeda from Undamu Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka Prefecture)
– Business Description: AI Terakoya Platform – A new era of schools where AI coaches can be created and shared in 10 minutes
– Prize: ¥300,000 cash prize, collaboration opportunity with the Shochiku Group
● Toei Award: MatchHat (Kyoto Prefecture) – Mr. Soraya Umewaka
– Business Description: Development of a global platform supporting creator-led project realization.
– Prize: ¥300,000 cash prize, one-year coworking space usage rights within Toei Kyoto Studio.
All participants were provided with benefits such as AWS Free Tier credits as part of the AWS Activate program.
Yamamoto: We received over 30 applications from all over the country, and the six pitches selected through rigorous screening, including workshops, were of high quality and excellence. A significant factor in the awards is the potential for collaboration with the longstanding film industry giants Shochiku and Toei. We are excited to see what kind of chemistry will emerge from this partnership.
Unfortunately, they didn’t win any awards, but Mr. Daiga Kobayashi from Japan XR Center, who demonstrated VR, came all the way from San Francisco for this event! It’s a super global startup with most of its members being Indian.
Pitch utilizing VR by Mr. Daiga Kobayashi from Japan XR Center
“What do you think regional business pitches should be like in the future, considering the unique essence of each locality, as exemplified by the Taishu NINJA PITCH in Kyoto?”
Yamamoto:Pitch events held in various regions often tend to replicate a ‘miniature version of Tokyo’ format. However, I’ve long believed that the ideal form of support in regional areas should involve leveraging the unique characteristics of each locality to assist startups. Kyoto, in particular, possesses distinct values, so we emphasized pitches that could only be conducted in Kyoto, showcasing its unique essence.
By changing the presentation style and approach, we can bring out different charms.
I believe it became a ‘precedent’ for a new form of pitching.
The Japan Angel Investor Association, a general incorporated association, is recruiting “Angel Members” for angel investors and “Partner Members” for municipalities, companies, and organizations supporting startups.
Membership fees are free. Why not join us in supporting the growth of startups together?
More details are available here →https://j-angel.jp/
After the pitches, we all gathered for the afterparty at the ‘Uzumasa Edo Sakaba,’ held only once a year at the Kyoto Film Village. It felt like we had traveled back in time to the Edo period, enjoying a fantastic time together.
We savored the exquisite sake of Kyoto and delicious meals from renowned restaurants, while immersing ourselves in traditional Japanese performing arts. It was a sophisticated and enjoyable night festival where adults could truly appreciate the essence of Japan.
