GLOBAL CONNECT ⚡️ (SPARK) DAY Hosted by Fukuoka Prefecture

"Global Connect Fukuoka," a startup support organization operated by the Fukuoka Prefectural Government, will host "GLOBAL CONNECT ⚡️ (SPARK) DAY" to facilitate business matching between startups and major enterprises both in Japan and overseas.

From Fukuoka to Asia and the World: An Exciting Pitch & Conference Event Connecting Ecosystems in Taiwan and Singapore

Aiming to make Fukuoka an Asian startup hub, Fukuoka Prefecture has partnered with leading venture capital firms and accelerators from Taiwan and Singapore! Join us for a global pitch and networking event where top startups from Fukuoka take on the world.

Event Overview

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 7 | 15:00 – 19:30 (JST)

Venue: One Fukuoka Building, 6F Sky Lobby

Format: On-site Attendance & Online Streaming

Admission: Free (Pre-registration required)

Language: English (The translation app "EventCAT" will be available both at the venue and on the stream)

Organizer: Fukuoka Prefecture

Co-Organizers: CDIB Capital Group, Meet Startups, ACE.SG

Drinks and a networking space will be available at the venue.

Co-Organizing Partners

CDIB Capital Group

A major venture capital firm under one of Taiwan's largest financial groups, boasting an extensive track record in global investments and supporting startup growth across Japan, Taiwan, and Asia.

Meet Startups

Taiwan's largest startup media and community platform, operating major events such as "Meet Taipei," one of Asia's largest startup expos. It serves as a comprehensive platform connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners.

ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship)

Singapore's national startup advocacy body, established under the initiative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. ACE.SG actively promotes ecosystem growth, acceleration, and international expansion.

Schedule

15:00 – 16:25 | Part 1: Taiwan Session — Pitching by Taiwan startups (5–7 companies)

16:30 – 17:55 | Part 2: Fukuoka Session — Pitching by Fukuoka startups (5 companies)

18:00 – 19:30 | Part 3: Singapore Session — Pitching by Singapore startups (5–7 companies)

(Pitch: 5 mins + Q&A / Feedback from commentators: 4 mins)

Presenters & Panelists

Fukuoka Startups (5 Companies)

F.MED Co., Ltd. — Keita Shimomura, Representative Director & CEO

KAICO Ltd. — Tadahiro Fukumoto, Senior Manager

The Harmony, Inc. — Kazuya Takahashi, Representative Director & CEO

ACCELStars Co., Ltd. — Tadashi Miyahara, President & CEO

Kyulux, Inc. — Junji Adachi, Chief Business & Strategy Officer

Taiwan Startups (6 Companies)

Alpenglow Tek — Phyllis Huang, Co-founder & Head of BD

AIRA — SATOZAKI REI, BD Manager

Apollo Power — Sun Hsieh, Global Marketing Manager

Cancerfree biotech — Po Chen, CEO

Chen Kai Tech — Jenny Hsu, Offshore Sector Advisor

Moldintel — John Chang, CEO

Singapore Startups (6 Companies)

Aires Applied Quantum Technology — Bernard Soo, Co-Founder & Deputy CEO

ELGO AI — Lee Gang, Co-Founder & CEO

GROUNDUP.AI — Waiming Poo-Cheong, Head of Commercial

NEUROWYZR — PANG Sze-Yunn, Chief Executive Officer

RUSHOWL — Shin Ng, Chief Executive Officer

+ Coming Soon

Judges & Commentators

Representative members from CDIB Capital Group / Meet Startups / ACE.SG

Miwa Seki — General Partner, MPower Partners Fund L.P.

Katsuya Hashizume — Executive Officer & Partner, Beyond Next Ventures Inc.

Kazuyuki Harada — Director, NCB Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

Takuya Inoue — Japan CEO, Origgin Ventures Co., Ltd.

Yuki Hayashi — Executive Director, Vertex Growth

Awards & Prizes

Top-performing startups in each session will receive awards supporting global expansion and access to local hubs, including the CIC Fukuoka Award, Meet Startups Award, and ACE.SG