Connecting Entrepreneurs and Companies in Japan and Beyond: Go Global Hub #5 “Reverse Connect Tokyo — Practical Reverse Pitch —”
ーFeaturing Alex Odajima (J-Startup, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Endeavor Japan) ,Pierre Bugel（METI & Embassy of France） Creating collaboration through conversations about challenges faced by startups and established companiesー
The Startup Lady Association operates Go Global Hub, a platform that connects entrepreneurs and companies in Japan with global innovation ecosystems.
The association was selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the FY2025 Global Exchange Promotion Program
We are pleased to announce that the 5th event in this series, “Reverse Connect Tokyo — Practical Reverse Pitch —,” has been officially scheduled.
Event Overview
Reverse Connect Tokyo — Practical Reverse Pitch —
A hands-on program that brings together overseas startups, Japanese and international companies, venture capital firms, and government-related organizations.
Participants share their organizational and business challenges, while attendees contribute ideas, insights, and potential solutions in response.
Through dialogue centered on real-world challenges, the program creates new encounters leading to business collaboration, partnerships, and co-creation opportunities.
Keynote Speaker
Alex Odajima
Alex Odajima is a business incubation specialist involved in the launch of numerous startups and the development of new business initiatives for established companies.
He connects innovation ecosystems in Japan and abroad, supporting innovation-related initiatives in collaboration with embassies and startup support organizations worldwide.
He has served as a mentor in many startup acceleration and incubation programs and currently holds multiple roles, including J-Startup Recommendation Committee Member, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Startup Fellow, Japan Representative of Start2 Group, and Operations Manager at Endeavor Japan.
Pierre Bugel
Pierre Bugel is a French national with seven years of experience in R&D, innovation, and entrepreneurship. After earning his Master’s degree in Chemistry from ITECH Engineering School in Lyon, he joined a consulting firm specializing in R&D and innovation financing. There, he launched an intrapreneurship project to develop services for Japanese clients seeking public funding and tax incentives.
He relocated to Tokyo in February 2020 to establish and lead the company’s Japan branch for three years. Since March 2023, he has been working at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as an expert seconded from the French government, contributing to startup and innovation policy development. His work includes sharing insights from the French ecosystem and managing bilateral projects such as Japan’s role as “Country of the Year” at Viva Technology 2024.
Event Details
2Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Venue
TBD (planned to be held in Tokyo)
Schedule
18:00 Doors Open
18:30 Event start
18:35 Key Note Talk - Alex Odajima
19:00 Key Note Talk - BUGEL Pierre
19:20 Reverse Pitch & Solution time
20:20 Closing
20:30 Networking (finger food and drinks)
21:30 End
Registration
Please read and agree to the event participation policy before registering.
Call for Reverse Pitch Participants
Reverse Connect Tokyo is seeking pitch presenters to share their organizational or business challenges.
If you have challenges or themes you wish to solve through external collaboration, please apply.Through dialogue with participants, this is an opportunity to explore new collaborations.
If you wish to participate as a pitch presenter, please indicate your interest via the Luma form.
Please bring two business cards to submit at registration on the day of the event.
About Go Global Hub
“Go Global Hub” will host a total of seven events, focusing on co-creation, problem-solving, and business matching. By deepening connections and collaboration amongst participants, we will spark the creation of new ventures.
For the latest updates, please visit the Go Global Hub Special Website.