  
Connecting Entrepreneurs and Companies in Japan and Beyond: Go Global Hub “Global Business Matching Summit,”Bringing Together 300 Participants on February 17, 2026 Was Held

Operated by the Startup Lady Association, Go Global Hub has created opportunities for entrepreneurs and supporters to come together through a total of six events since its launch in September 2025.

By leveraging cross-border knowledge and networks, the initiative has connected globally minded talent with Japanese entrepreneurs and companies, supporting business growth aimed at international markets and fostering the creation of ventures with social impact.

About the Global Business Matching Summit

The Global Business Matching Summit represented the culmination of these initiatives.

Co-hosted with Venture Café, the summit was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as a large-scale event welcoming approximately 300 participants.

With support from the Embassy of France and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the event brought together entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, ecosystem supporters, and government representatives from Japan and abroad.

The summit served as a practical business-matching platform, transforming past dialogues and encounters into concrete collaboration opportunities.

  
Event Overview
Global Business Matching Summit — Practical Business Matching Summit —

The event welcomed leaders active at the forefront of global business and innovation.

Through keynote sessions and interactive programs, participants gained new insights applicable to real-world business development.

Rather than focusing solely on lectures or networking, the summit was designed around the core themes emphasized by Go Global Hub: co-creation, problem-solving, and practical business matching.

Through focused discussions and meaningful encounters, the event generated concrete outcomes.

Keynote Speaker

JP Biard
Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Governance Solutions
LegalOn Technologies

JP Biard serves as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Governance Solutions at LegalOn Technologies, a global leader in Legal AI and Governance AI.

LegalOn is a Japan-founded LegalTech company providing AI-powered contract review solutions and is widely recognized as the first Japanese AI company to reach JPY 10 billion in ARR, earning strong global recognition.

With over 20 years of global business experience across AI, SaaS, and financial services, JP has led strategy development, business growth, and organizational transformation.

He previously held senior leadership roles at Lehman Brothers and BNP Paribas and continues to advocate for building globally competitive companies from Japan through thought leadership on AI and innovation.

He holds an MBA from McGill University.

Panel Speaker

Kanagam Ramanujam

Representative, Community Builders Foundation (CBF)

Kanagam Ramanujam is the Representative of Community Builders Foundation (CBF), an organization dedicated to fostering long-term social transformation with a focus on the futures of children, youth, and women.
With extensive experience in organizational leadership, community building, and leadership development, he has worked to create sustainable social impact by bridging purpose and practice.

He has led a wide range of initiatives, including youth and women’s empowerment, regenerative community development, and values-based leadership programs. His work places particular emphasis on redefining the value of care work, creating systems in which women can thrive as leaders, and building environments that enable the next generation to pursue self-directed and creative career paths.

Nicole Hsieh
Co-founder, Global Women Impact (GWI)

Nicole Hsieh is the Co-founder of Global Women Impact (GWI), a learning and dialogue platform that creates space for women to explore their purpose, perspectives, and personal growth.
Prior to founding GWI, she built experience in business development, cross-brand collaboration, and community strategy, working with international partners and diverse teams to generate social impact.

Guided by the belief that meaningful growth begins with clarity of purpose and human connection, GWI curates dialogue-driven events and online programs that support women navigating career and life transitions with insight and confidence. Nicole currently emphasizes a custodianship approach—passing on knowledge and experience to the next generation—while supporting the sustainable growth of leaders and organizations.