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About us

Venture Café’s mission is to connect innovators to make things happen.


We’re building a global movement to change the world through innovation. Will you join us?


起業家・イノベーターの皆さん、一緒に日本最大のイノベーションコミュニティーを目指しませんか。是非、CIC東京 (虎ノ門ビジネスタワー) へ毎週木曜日お越しください


Venture Café is a global movement working to build stronger and more inclusive innovation ecosystems and accelerate and enhance the innovation process, in cities around the world. Venture Café is a network of independent nonprofits that offer high-touch programming, spaces, storytelling, and broad innovation engagement. Each café offers three core programs: a Thursday Gathering, a Civic Innovation Center, and the Captains of Innovation program, coupled with localized programming and support to serve the unique needs of their community. The network is supported by the Venture Café Global Institute, the umbrella organization that provides ongoing training, resources, convening opportunities, and guides new site expansion.

Global Gathering 2026 - TOKYO

Global Gathering 2026 - TOKYO

toranomon hills forum, 4F, 5F, 〒105-0001 Tokyo, 港区Toranomon, 1丁目23, Tokyo, JP

Learn more & Sign-up:
https://venturecafeglobal.org/global-gathering-2026/

Three Venues. One Mission. Uniting for Global Co-Creation.

Building on the massive momentum of 2025—which saw over 1,000 participants from 80+ countries, #GG26Tokyo returns this February 19th as the "Innovation Olympics" of Tokyo. This isn't just a networking event; it is a high-stakes convergence of the world’s most influential ecosystem builders, researchers, and corporate giants.

At Venture Café, our mission is simple: Connecting innovators to make things happen. This summit is a strategic collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) to prove that the world’s most pressing challenges—from urban mobility to the future of AI—cannot be solved in isolation. We gather to align our agendas and create a "multiplication effect" that resonates far beyond the walls of Toranomon.

### 🏆 The Main Dish: #Pitch2Tokyo Global Finals

Witness the world’s best founders in a high-stakes arena. After months of grueling regional rounds across our network of 15+ cities, 18 champion startups from around the globe are descending on Tokyo. They aren't just here to network; they are here for a friendly but fierce competition to grab the grand prize: A 1-Year Membership to CIC. Come see the future of tech and meet the founders who are currently redefining the global startup landscape.

### 📍 The Innovation Campus - Toranomon

Your pass grants you seamless access to a three-venue takeover, creating a high-density "Innovation Commons" across Toranomon:

  • Toranomon Hills Forum (Hall B) | The Main Stage: The "Gathering Ground" for visionary thought leadership. Home to the #Pitch2Tokyo finals and keynote masterclasses. Hear from industry titans and global R&D powerhouses like Station F, MassRobotics, and MIT REAP.
  • CIC Tokyo | The Tech & Talent Commons: The engine room of the summit. This venue features deep-dive sessions with global corporate leaders. Join the "Reverse Pitch" arena to hear from major corporations about their innovation needs, or connect at the IT Career Fair, a bridge between the world’s best builders and the companies designing the future.
  • Glass Rock | The Social Innovation Hub: A brand-new laboratory for 2026. In collaboration with Socious, Social Innovation Japan, Glass Rock is dedicated to bilingual (JP/EN) action-sessions. Tackle "Common Agendas" in Sustainable Cities, Wellbeing, and DEI through interactive workshops designed to forge real partnerships.

While the Gathering is open to all who are curious about the future, we have curated specific tracks to ensure maximum value:

  • 🚀 Entrepreneurs: Connect with the "Heart and Soul" of the community. Find the non-dilutive support, shared hardware assets, and connections you need to scale globally.
  • 💰 Investors: Get exclusive access to fresh, global talent and startups that are overlooked by traditional political and corporate cycles.
  • 💻 Job Seekers & Talent Acquisition: Our dedicated Tech Meet-up sessions are designed to be a high-speed bridge between the world’s best engineers and the companies building the future.
  • 🏛️ Policy Makers & Stakeholders: Participate in the "Glocal" (Global + Local) dialogue to understand how to foster innovation that actually sticks.

### Why You Need to Be Here

The world’s most pressing challenges from urban mobility to labor shortages, cannot be solved in a silo. GG26Tokyo is the neutral ground where we align our agendas to achieve a Collective Impact. Don't just watch the future happen. Come help us make it happen.

RSVP now to secure your spot at the center of the global innovation ecosystem.
https://venturecafeglobal.org/global-gathering-2026/

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