Our CEO, Katja Richter, joined the de:hub initiative’s delegation trip to Japan, immersing herself in the startup and innovation ecosystems of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in just four days.
Key stops included the Tokyo Innovation Base and CIC Japan, with an inspiring tour by Víctor Mulas, as well as a visit to the German Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, featuring a startup showcase. The programme also involved meetings with the corporate venture capital units of Fujitsu, Konami Digital Entertainment and SEGA. Another highlight was the exchange with AHK Japan, JETRO and Germany Trade & Invest – with valuable insights provided by Benedikt Reifenrath, Kiana Frank and Almut Weigel. Particularly impressive were the insights into Japan’s large-scale startup initiative, which offered many ideas that could be applied in Potsdam too.
Equally valuable was the close exchange with the seven other German hubs – a level of collaboration that would not have been possible without this trip.
Three key takeaways:
- Japan’s national startup initiative sets new standards from which German locations can also learn.
- Direct contact with CVCs from major companies such as Fujitsu, Konami and SEGA provides valuable perspectives on corporate innovation.
- Strengthened exchange between the German hubs enhances visibility and collaboration in an international context.
A big thank you to Germany Trade and Invest, the de:hub initiative, and our Japanese hosts for their openness and inspiration.
Some impressions form the journey:
Images: Inshorefilms
