cheering-japan-through-entrepreneurial-experience-startup-weekend-tokyo

09/25/2016

1606

I believe that many people who are interested in entrepreneurship have heard about the “STARTUP WEEKEND”, or maybe there have already attended one of the events before. Originally from Seattle, this 3-day weekend Start-up Event has visited around 800 cities and has been held more than 1500 times. This time I was able to speak with Tanaka Kei, the organizer / facilitator of Startup Weekend events for Japan.

Currently, Mr. Tanaka organises the Startup weekend while working for a foreign pharmaceutical company. A few years ago he participated in the event for the first time and enjoyed it so much that he decided to help, since then he’s been volunteering to organise the event when it’s visiting Japan.

At that time, he did not really think about entrepreneurship or have many specific ideas, but was interested in the people attending and the ‘teamwork’ on display. When he attended there were about 100 attendees, with perhaps 60% of them coming with business ideas they wished to present, while receiving coaching and honest opinions from attending Venture Capitalists and senior Entrepreneur members. From there teams were created based on voting, and on the third day we ‘ll then give business presentations. But it does not mean that you’ll always be using your specialised skills, what’s most important is what is needed for your team, and you have to use your brain and ability to think on the spot to assist.

Now at the Startup Weekend events the basic set up is that on the first day every participant had a 60-seconds pitch and are then divided into 3 teams “Hustlers・Hackers・Designers”, the second day is taken up by coaching , while the last day is reserved for final presentations and review of business models.

Last year the event was held more than 80 times across the length of Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. There were a lot of reporters, many repeat participants, and some people so impressed with the event that they helped to plan a home event in their local areas. Also there are many people active in the Venture Capital world, as well as returning senior Entrepreneurs who voluntarily assist with the coaching and judging. While also at the same time it’s possible to be connected with the Startup Weekend network of other countries too.

Even without the decision of “wanting to start entrepreneurship”, the Startup Weekend’s main goal is to plant the root of the entrepreneurial culture in Japan through this “entrepreneurial experience”. Even for those who believe they do not have strength in IT or related ideas they will be strong in some field of specialism, be it marketing or physical stamina. Firstly they need people to attend without reservations, to meet with many other different types of people, and they will receive encouragement from this “entrepreneurial opportunity”.

Mr. Tanaka shared his thoughts on what he wants for the future, and also says it would be nice if he can help cheer up Japan as well.

The most recent Startup Weekend ‘Tokyo Africa’ was held between October 14th-16th. If you are interested in attending please find an upcoming event and enjoy “the experience” !