Global Lessons in Innovation Ecosystem Building
詳細
Learn More: https://venturecafeglobal.org/sessions/gg26-global-innovation-ecosystem-building/
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Toranomon Hills Forum Hall-B, Breakout Room B
Program Partner: Venture Café Global Institute
Language: English
Welcome to the Venture Café Global Gathering, where innovation ecosystem leaders from cities around the world come together in Tokyo to share lessons from building and sustaining vibrant entrepreneurial communities.
What began in Boston in 2009 has grown into a global network that has activated over 24 cities and counting, engaging more than 850,000 innovators, entrepreneurs, and community builders. At the core of this network are local leaders who design inclusive spaces, convene diverse stakeholders, and strengthen innovation ecosystems in their cities while remaining deeply connected globally.
In this session, Venture Café Directors and partners will share real-world case studies and personal stories from their local ecosystems, illustrating how community-led innovation not only strengthens cities, but also meaningfully impacts individual lives. These stories highlight founders who found their first collaborators, researchers who discovered new pathways, and community members who unlocked opportunities through connection.
What you will learn
- How strong innovation ecosystems are built by prioritizing community, trust, and consistent convening before infrastructure or scale
- How a shared global framework enables local ownership, allowing each city to adapt innovation practices to its unique context
- Why inclusion across sectors, founders, researchers, corporates, and creatives strengthens ecosystem resilience and impact
- How consistency and long-term commitment build credibility and momentum within local innovation communities
- How cities learn faster and grow stronger by sharing lessons, models, and connections across a global network
- How intentional community building can lead to tangible, life-changing outcomes for individuals within innovation ecosystems
Join us for an engaging, cross-city conversation on community-led ecosystem building. Learn how to engage with Venture Café chapters around the world and apply these global lessons to spark new partnerships, opportunities, and ideas in your own ecosystem.
Speaker:
- Alejandra Buendia ｜ Director −Venture Café Monterrey
- Alex Cheung ｜ Director −Venture Café Cambridge
- Andrew Ruffler ｜ Director −Venture Café Manchester
- Claudia Cavalluzzo ｜ Director −Venture Café Edinburgh
- Dominika Duda ｜ Program Director −Venture Café Warsaw
- Ewa Geresz ｜ Director −Venture Café Berlin
- Liam Ward ｜ Director −Venture Café London
- Sarah Waschler ｜ Experience and Event Manager – Venture Café Phoenix
- Ryusuke Komura ｜ Exective Director −Venture Café Tokyo
Moderator:
- Nathan Plummer, General Manager, Venture Café Global Institute