The Founders Peak | GFTN Forum, Japan

Founders Day at the GFTN Forum, Japan 2025 gathered founders, entrepreneurs, and investors spotlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation shaping Japan's fintech landscape. The GFTN Forum, Japan 2025 also saw the return of The Founders Peak, a popular platform where exceptional founders shares valuable insights on successful entrepreneurship.

The third edition in Tokyo, delivered valuable resources, connections, and real-world experiences that you need to thrive as a founder. Since its launch in Nov 2022, "the yellow circle" has hosted exceptional founders from nearly 40 countries at stages across Singapore, Rwanda, Japan, the Nordics, Ghana and Switzerland.

This platform for start-up founders works hard to bring all stakeholders critical to start-up success, to share their hard-earned knowledge and insights. These include:

Venture capitalists
Policymakers
Mental health and well-being experts
Women entrepreneurs and leaders
Workshops on pitching and storytelling
Mentorship programmes
Masterclasses on intellectual property
And more

The global Founders Peak stage returns to Tokyo at the GFTN Forum, Japan 2026. Get involved!

Agenda Overview

10.00 - 10:15am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

Policymaker Keynote

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10.15 - 10:30am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

Venture Capital Keynote

The session will touch on how early-stage startups are fundraising, how founders have rethought their hiring strategies, and how VC funds are dealing with choppy waters. We'll then skip across the globe, looking at how various ecosystems from Europe to Asia are building new venture capital destinations - and why 2025 could bring positivity for startups across the world, including in Japan.

10.30 - 11:10am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

Panel - Accelerating Ambition: The Road to 100 Unicorns by 2027

Japan’s government has set an ambitious target of nurturing 100 unicorns by 2027, reflecting its commitment to revitalizing its startup ecosystem. Achieving this goal, however, demands not just optimism but tangible action. With Japan’s startups attracting only 2.3% of global VC funding in 2023, the country faces structural and cultural barriers that must be addressed swiftly.

11.10 - 11:15am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

Welcome to The Founders Peak™

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11.15 - 11:25am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 1

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11.25 - 11:35am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 2

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11.35 - 11:45am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 3

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11.45 - 11:55am

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 4

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12.00 - 1:00pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

Networking Lunch

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1.00 - 1:40pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

Panel – Board Advisors: A Reality or Illusion of Value in Japan's Startup Ecosystem?

As Japan experiences a startup revival fueled by government initiatives and increasing investments, the role of Board Advisors has become ever more critical. While many startups rely on advisors from venture capital firms, the reality is that these individuals often lack direct operational experience within startups, leading to questions about their true value. In a country where the government aims to create 100 unicorns by 2027, understanding the effectiveness of board advisors is crucial.

1.40 - 1:50pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 5

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1.50 - 2:00pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 6

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2.00 - 2:10pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 7

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2.10 - 2:20pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 8

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2.30 - 2:45pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

Inspirational Leader Keynote

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2.45 - 2:55pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

We The Women: Breaking Barriers, Building Businesses: A Global Dialogue on Female Entrepreneurship in Japan

Japan has long been known for its disciplined work ethic and innovative economy, yet it faces significant challenges in fostering women’s entrepreneurship. In a country where only 4% of women are business owners (compared to 10% globally) and women represent less than 20% of startup founders, We the Women explores what it will take to change this narrative.

In this pivotal panel discussion, women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and venture capitalists from around the world will gather to share actionable strategies to catalyse female entrepreneurship in Japan. From successful policies in other countries to personal stories of overcoming cultural and financial barriers, the conversation will delve into what Japan can learn, adapt, and implement.

The discussion will also examine how entrenched cultural traditions, limited access to funding, and rigid workplace norms hinder women’s participation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem—and what specific policy changes and grassroots movements can unshackle these barriers.

Empowering women entrepreneurs is not just a goal but a necessity. This session will offer bold, transformative solutions to pave the way for Japan’s women to lead businesses that reshape the economy, society, and global narrative.

3.30 - 3:40pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 9

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3.40 - 3:50pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 10

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3.50 - 4:00pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 11

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4.00 - 4:10pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders Peak™ Talk 12

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5.30 - 7:30pm

Festival Stage, 2F, EDOCCO, Kanda Myojin

The Founders ROCK™ & Networking Drinks

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