Pre-Seed Startup Fundraising in Japan Featuring Japan Angels and More
Details
Are you a founder preparing to raise your pre-seed round in Japan? This event offers a practical, data-informed look at how early-stage fundraising actually works in the Japanese startup ecosystem. As Japan continues to grow as a major venture market in Asia, pre-seed funding remains highly relationship-driven and selective. Founders often underestimate how investors evaluate teams, traction, and risk at the first-check stage and how different expectations can be compared to other global markets.
In this session, experienced early-stage investors and ecosystem leaders will share how Japanese VCs and angels think at the pre-seed stage, what they look for before metrics, how founders should approach equity and fundraising structure, and what common mistakes slow or block early funding rounds.
You’ll hear about what works and what doesn’t when seeking VC funding in Japan, the common traps to avoid, and how to identify investors suited to your startup’s pre-seed stage and sector.
Learn expert tips, big pitfalls to avoid, what investors are looking for, how equity works, and more. After the Q&A session, you'll have the chance to network with other founders and investors.
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Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base, 3-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
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Date & Time: March 4th 2026 from 6 PM JST
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Agenda:
-Welcome & FI Introduction
-Speakers Introduction
-Panel Discussion
-Q&A Session
❯ Featured Speaker:
Evan Burkosky - Founder at kimaru.ai
Colin Magne - Founder at Japan Angels
Koki Tanaka - VC at Incubate Fund
❯ Moderator:
- Erdinc Ekinci - Founder, Investment Lead of Co-capital.vc, Co-Founder, CEO of Openfor.co, Managing Director of Founder Institute Japan/Korea/Taiwan
❯ What You Will Learn:
- How pre-seed fundraising actually works in Japan, beyond theory and pitch decks
- What Japanese angels and early-stage VCs look for at the first check stage
- Typical pre-seed round structures, timelines, and investor expectations
- How to approach equity, valuation, and ownership at the pre-seed stage
- Common fundraising mistakes founders make in Japan and how to avoid them
- How to identify and engage the right investors for your stage and sector
❯❯ This is an in-person event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/388931/meetup to secure your spot and receive further details.