Join us on Thursday, November 5th for an evening celebrating innovation between Japan and Boston at Venture Café Cambridge. Japan Innovation Night brings startups, regional governments, and ecosystem leaders from Japan together with Boston's community of investors, corporate partners, researchers, and founders.
The evening features pitches from seven Japanese startups in two of CIC Catalyst programs, the Direct Flight Boston Program and Fukuoka NEXT Unicorn SPark Program, as they bring their technologies to the US market. Earlier in the evening, we turn to the other direction: a fireside chat with JETRO on what it takes for US and international companies to expand into Japan, followed by presentations from the local governments of Yokohama, Sendai, and Fukuoka on the innovation activity taking shape in their regions. The night wraps up with a poster session and open networking across Venture Café. Enjoy light Japanese fare and drinks while you meet the people building the next generation of companies on both sides of the Pacific.
Whether you’re a founder curious about Japan, a corporate looking for innovation partners, or an investor scouting your next opportunity, this is an evening you won’t want to miss.
Presented by CIC Catalyst - Japan Desk, this special edition of Connection Collider brings innovators, regional leaders, and ecosystem builders from across Japan together with Boston’s community of investors, corporate partners, researchers, and founders. Come grab a drink and join us for high-energy networking in CIC Cambridge’s signature Venture Café space!
Opening Remarks | 5:00PM - 5:15PM | Havana
Japan Innovation Night opens with welcome remarks from Consul General Takahashi of the Consulate General of Japan in Boston, setting the stage for an evening celebrating the growing innovation ties between Japan and Boston.
What does it really take for a Boston company to succeed in Japan? Nataly Kelly, CMO of Zappi and former VP of International Strategy at HubSpot, helped lead HubSpot’s expansion into Japan from the very beginning. Join JETRO for an inside look at how it came together: the decisions behind the move, the challenges and hurdles along the way, and the lessons learned. Whether you’re considering Japan as your next market or simply curious how a homegrown Boston company built a presence there, this is a candid conversation you won’t want to miss.
Hear from the local governments of Yokohama, Sendai, and Fukuoka as they share what makes each region a hub for innovation, from their startup ecosystems and industry strengths to the programs that support global companies and partners, followed by a short remark from Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd.
At Japan Innovation Night 2026, we will be showcasing startups from two cohorts. The Direct Flight Boston program introduces 5 early-stage pharma and medical device startups from Japan to our ecosystem for the first time. The Fukuoka NEXT Unicorn SPark program brings two startups from Fukuoka's growing innovation ecosystem: ACCELStars, advancing sleep technology, and HaKaL, developing portable diagnostic platforms. All seven companies are ready to explore partnerships and opportunities in the U.S. market. Join us to meet the founders and hear how they plan to bring their technologies to patients and customers worldwide!
Pitching Startups
Direct Flight Boston
Fukuoka NEXT Unicorn SPark Program
Following the pitches, engage directly with the founders of the presenting startups in an interactive poster session and tabling. This is your chance to ask in-depth questions, explore potential partnerships, and learn more about the technologies driving Japan’s startup scene. Whether you’re an investor, researcher, corporate partner, or collaborator, stay for open networking and make meaningful connections with the talent and ideas shaping the future of Japanese innovation.
Maiko Okamura is a Manager at ivec Inc., a Japan-based neurotechnology startup developing minimally invasive brain-machine interface (BMI) technology. With a background in neuroscience research at the University of Osaka, she has been involved in preclinical studies supporting the development of intravascular electrodes. Her interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, medical technology, and business development. At ivec, she focuses on translating research into real-world applications, fostering strategic partnerships, and supporting the global expansion of the company's technology.
Registration for this event is closed.
Join us on Thursday, November 5th for an evening celebrating innovation between Japan and Boston at Venture Café Cambridge. Japan Innovation Night brings startups, regional governments, and ecosystem leaders from Japan together with Boston's community of investors, corporate partners, researchers, and founders.
The evening features pitches from seven Japanese startups in two of CIC Catalyst programs, the Direct Flight Boston Program and Fukuoka NEXT Unicorn SPark Program, as they bring their technologies to the US market. Earlier in the evening, we turn to the other direction: a fireside chat with JETRO on what it takes for US and international companies to expand into Japan, followed by presentations from the local governments of Yokohama, Sendai, and Fukuoka on the innovation activity taking shape in their regions. The night wraps up with a poster session and open networking across Venture Café. Enjoy light Japanese fare and drinks while you meet the people building the next generation of companies on both sides of the Pacific.
Whether you’re a founder curious about Japan, a corporate looking for innovation partners, or an investor scouting your next opportunity, this is an evening you won’t want to miss.
Presented by CIC Catalyst - Japan Desk, this special edition of Connection Collider brings innovators, regional leaders, and ecosystem builders from across Japan together with Boston’s community of investors, corporate partners, researchers, and founders. Come grab a drink and join us for high-energy networking in CIC Cambridge’s signature Venture Café space!
Opening Remarks | 5:00PM - 5:15PM | Havana
Japan Innovation Night opens with welcome remarks from Consul General Takahashi of the Consulate General of Japan in Boston, setting the stage for an evening celebrating the growing innovation ties between Japan and Boston.
What does it really take for a Boston company to succeed in Japan? Nataly Kelly, CMO of Zappi and former VP of International Strategy at HubSpot, helped lead HubSpot’s expansion into Japan from the very beginning. Join JETRO for an inside look at how it came together: the decisions behind the move, the challenges and hurdles along the way, and the lessons learned. Whether you’re considering Japan as your next market or simply curious how a homegrown Boston company built a presence there, this is a candid conversation you won’t want to miss.
Hear from the local governments of Yokohama, Sendai, and Fukuoka as they share what makes each region a hub for innovation, from their startup ecosystems and industry strengths to the programs that support global companies and partners, followed by a short remark from Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd.
At Japan Innovation Night 2026, we will be showcasing startups from two cohorts. The Direct Flight Boston program introduces 5 early-stage pharma and medical device startups from Japan to our ecosystem for the first time. The Fukuoka NEXT Unicorn SPark program brings two startups from Fukuoka's growing innovation ecosystem: ACCELStars, advancing sleep technology, and HaKaL, developing portable diagnostic platforms. All seven companies are ready to explore partnerships and opportunities in the U.S. market. Join us to meet the founders and hear how they plan to bring their technologies to patients and customers worldwide!
Pitching Startups
Direct Flight Boston
Fukuoka NEXT Unicorn SPark Program
Following the pitches, engage directly with the founders of the presenting startups in an interactive poster session and tabling. This is your chance to ask in-depth questions, explore potential partnerships, and learn more about the technologies driving Japan’s startup scene. Whether you’re an investor, researcher, corporate partner, or collaborator, stay for open networking and make meaningful connections with the talent and ideas shaping the future of Japanese innovation.
Maiko Okamura is a Manager at ivec Inc., a Japan-based neurotechnology startup developing minimally invasive brain-machine interface (BMI) technology. With a background in neuroscience research at the University of Osaka, she has been involved in preclinical studies supporting the development of intravascular electrodes. Her interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, medical technology, and business development. At ivec, she focuses on translating research into real-world applications, fostering strategic partnerships, and supporting the global expansion of the company's technology.