Events

Event Report - “Zen & the Art of Japanese Market Entry – IVS Kyoto 2025”

On July 2–4,one of Japan’s largest startup conferences, IVS Kyoto 2025returned to Miyakomesse and ROHM Theatre under the theme “Reshape Japan with Global Minds”.The event brought together over 12,000 attendees and 300 startups, showcasing global innovation and highlighting Japan’s evolving startup landscape.

🔹 Session Highlight: “Things to Know Before Starting in Japan”

Joshua Flannery, CEO of Innovation Dojo Japan, joined a panel, moderated by Shun Ono (Zero-Ten Park), alongside Ryo Nishiura (Deel), Tak Umezawa (CIC Japan), and Marisa Watanabe (UNSW). 

Together,they offered overseas founders’ practical guidance and Zen-like clarity on entering the Japanese market.

“Zen”: The Art of Market Entry

1. Unwritten Rules You Won’t Find on Slides

  • Embrace your differences,they’re your advantage. Japanese corporations seek innovation, not flawless keigo.
  • Adopt a dual-persona strategy:  Maintain your international strengths, but work with a seasoned local partner to meet Japanese expectations.Silence ≠ Agreement: a polite “chotto muzukashii(A bit difficult)” often means “No.” Learn to read between the lines and always double-confirm

2. Actionable On-Ramps for Overseas Founders

  • Start local, land soft: tap into city-led landing programs in Kobe, Fukuoka, and Kyoto.
  • Explore collaborations via universities and commercialized research.

  • Leverage corporate PoC and accelerator schemes, viewing each PoC as trust-building, not the end goal.
  • Consider a Country-Manager-as-a-Service model: Reliable alternative to going solo, working with bilingual, locally embedded professionals who build trust, bridge cultures, and reduce market entry risk.

3. Business Models Tailored to Japan

  • Embedded B2B “infrastructure” SaaS fits Japan’s preference for incremental upgrades to legacy systems.
  • Licensing or tech-enablement models allow local professionals to carry your innovation into the market.
  • Slow-burn relationship sales align with Japan’s longer decision cycles, turning patience into reduced risk.

Japan offers a unique blend of legacy depth, cultural nuance, and innovation appetite. 

Founders who succeed here are those who design for trust and scale with patience.

As Joshua emphasized,“If you build a compelling Japan story, respect the local process, and maintain quarterly presence, the market opens in surprising and meaningful ways.”

At Innovation Dojo Japan, we support overseas startups entering the Japanese market by offering a Country Manager-as-a-Service model. Our bilingual, locally based professionals who understand how to navigate Japan’s complex business culture, helps bridge the gap, by handling local communication, building trust, and supporting partnerships on the ground. We help de-risk market entry and accelerate real progress.If you're exploring Japan and want a reliable way to get started, feel free to reach out via our contact page, we’re happy to help. 

Curious to explore further? Feel free to reach out, always happy to share notes.: IVS Kyoto 2025, July 2-4, Miyakomesse & ROHM Theatre Kyoto, “Reshape Japan with Global Minds”. 

Position Title

Junior Position / Project Coordinator

Purpose of the Role

Innovation Dojo Japan LLC is a globally focused innovation support company with team members based across Kansai (Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe region), Tokyo, and Sydney, Australia.

With the goal of developing and supplying the most diversity-focused talent and technology ecosystem in Japan, we operate through a highly diverse team across the following three areas:

  • Entrepreneurial talent development through joint programs with domestic and international universities
  • Startup community management and support for foreign companies entering Japan in collaboration with government agencies
  • Business development and fundraising support services through extensive networks with corporations, venture capital firms, and other stakeholders

To support operations at our Kobe base and across Japan, we are seeking a coordinator who can provide cross-functional support across multiple projects. Working closely with the CEO, directors, and project managers, this role will help manage multiple parallel projects and serve as a core position supporting the company’s growth.

Responsibilities and Duties

In both Japanese and English, the successful candidate will work with internal stakeholders such as the CEO, directors, and managers to support and operate multiple projects, including:

  • General project management support
  • Project coordination through communication with clients
  • Document preparation and deliverables under team guidance
  • Assisting with coordination among staff and other stakeholders
  • Email correspondence, presentation/report preparation, and data entry
  • Scheduling and coordinating meetings
  • Language support/translation as required
  • Event and program operation support
  • PR and promotional activities via social media and email
  • Scheduling and logistical coordination for speakers and stakeholders
  • Operational support across Kobe and the Kansai region (mainly Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe)
  • Back-office support including office operations and document shipping
  • Coordination with external specialists as required
  • Proactively proposing and implementing operational efficiency improvements upon approval

Location, Compensation, and Benefits

Work Location

Kobe office (Chuo-ku, Kobe) or remote work

Working Hours

Assumed 40 hours per week

Salary

Determined based on experience and skills
Monthly salary range: JPY 280,000–380,000

Holidays and Leave

  • Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays
  • Summer holidays
  • New Year holidays
  • Annual paid leave

Benefits

  • Employment insurance
  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • Employee pension insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Transportation allowance

Employment Type

Full-time employee with probation period (3 months)

Required Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

Required

  • Native-level Japanese and conversational English ability
  • Approximately 2–5 years of professional work experience

Preferred

  • Interest in building a career in the innovation and technology industry
  • Interest in working with international colleagues and clients
  • Experience in project coordination or administrative support (industry not specified)
  • TOEIC score of 800 or equivalent English proficiency
  • Basic PC skills (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace)

Position Title

Project Assistant (Assigned to Individual Projects)

Purpose of the Role

Innovation Dojo Japan LLC is a globally focused innovation support company with team members based across Kansai (Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe region), Tokyo, and Sydney, Australia.

With the goal of developing and supplying the most diversity-focused talent and technology ecosystem in Japan, we operate through a highly diverse team across the following three areas:

  • Entrepreneurial talent development through joint programs with domestic and international universities
  • Startup community management and support for foreign companies entering Japan in collaboration with government agencies
  • Business development and fundraising support services through extensive networks with corporations, venture capital firms, and other stakeholders

We are seeking assistants to support the practical operations of specific projects (entrepreneurship development programs, startup incubation, business development and fundraising support, etc.) while working closely with designated project managers. This role is intended primarily for project-based outsourcing or part-time arrangements, with flexibility depending on the applicant’s expertise and availability.

Responsibilities and Duties

Under the direction of the assigned project manager, the successful candidate will support the following tasks related to their assigned project:

  • Project progress management
  • Schedule coordination, meeting minutes, and task management
  • Document and design preparation
  • Communication with clients, participating companies, and mentors
  • Email correspondence and data entry/organization
  • Language support/translation as required
  • Event and workshop operation support (online/offline)
  • Scheduling and logistical arrangements for speakers and participants
  • Assistance with PR and promotional activities via social media and email

Location, Compensation, and Working Conditions

Work Location

Primarily remote work (attendance at events in the Kansai region may be required)
Preferably based in Kobe City or Hyogo Prefecture

Working Hours

Approx. 2–4 days per week / 4–8 hours per day depending on project requirements

Compensation

Hourly wage: JPY 1,400–2,000
(Determined based on experience and skills)

Contract Type

Independent contractor agreement or part-time employment (negotiable)

Contract Period

Until project completion (minimum 3 months, renewable)

Other

Remote communication will primarily use online tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace.

Required Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

Required

  • Native-level Japanese and conversational English ability
  • Practical experience in project coordination and operations
    (Any industry; may include administrative or management-related work but is not limited to those areas)

Preferred

  • Interest in building a career in the innovation and technology industry
  • Interest in working with international colleagues and clients
  • Comfortable using online tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace

Position Title

Long-Term Intern

Purpose of the Role

Innovation Dojo Japan LLC is a globally focused innovation support company with team members based across Kansai (Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe region), Tokyo, and Sydney, Australia.

With the goal of developing and supplying the most diversity-focused talent and technology ecosystem in Japan, we operate through a highly diverse team across the following three areas:

  • Entrepreneurial talent development through joint programs with domestic and international universities
  • Startup community management and support for foreign companies entering Japan in collaboration with government agencies
  • Business development and fundraising support services through extensive networks with corporations, venture capital firms, and other stakeholders

We are seeking long-term interns who can contribute to our business operations while learning directly through hands-on experience. Rather than performing only routine administrative work, interns will participate in projects from the same perspective as employees, including research, document creation, event operations, and client support. This role offers valuable practical experience for students with strong interests in startups and global business.

Responsibilities and Duties

Under the guidance of assigned staff members, interns will support one or more of the following tasks in Japanese (and English where required):

  • General project management support
  • Research (overseas startups, industry trends, client company background research)
  • Assistance with preparing materials, meeting minutes, and reports
  • Event and program operation support
  • Support for workshops and pitch events
  • Assistance with PR and promotional activities via social media and email
  • Article writing
  • Event reports and interviews
  • Proactively proposing and implementing operational efficiency improvements upon approval

Location, Compensation, and Working Conditions

Work Location

Primarily remote work (attendance at events in the Kansai region may be required)

Working Hours

Minimum 3 hours per day / minimum 2 days per week during weekdays between 10:00–18:00

Hourly Wage

JPY 1,200–1,400 per hour
(Negotiable depending on experience and skills)

Transportation

Full transportation reimbursement

Contract Type and Period

Paid internship (part-time/casual employment)
Minimum employment period: 3 months
(1-month probation period applies)

Start Date

Flexible / rolling basis

Required Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

Required

  • Currently enrolled in a university or graduate school
    (No restrictions on year level or major)
  • Conversational English ability
    (Reading/writing skills preferred)
  • Motivated to learn proactively and take initiative

Preferred

  • Native-level Japanese (not mandatory)
  • Strong interest in innovation, technology, startups, and international business
  • Interest in working with international colleagues and clients
  • Basic PC skills (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace)

Application Method and Application Period (Common to All Positions)

If you are interested in any of the above positions, please send your resume and a brief self-introduction to the contact person below:

Recruitment manager  japan@innovationdojo.com.au

Please include the position title in the email subject line
(example: “Application – Junior Position”).

Application deadline: July 15, 2026

We look forward to receiving your application.

Company Overview

Company Name

Innovation Dojo Japan LLC

Representative

Co-Founder & CEO: Joshua Flannery (Executive Officer)

Established

2021 (July 5, Reiwa 3)

Listing Status

Unlisted

Business Activities

Services business (entrepreneurship development and innovation support)

Address

4-1-14 Isogami-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
(Sannomiya Sky Building, 120 WORKPLACE KOBE)

Website

Innovation Dojo

Innovation Dojo Japan was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2016 with the mission:

“Where ordinary people make extraordinary impacts.”

Since its establishment, the company has built experience and expertise around three core pillars:

  1. Entrepreneurial talent development
  2. Startup incubation
  3. Business development and fundraising support related to innovation

Moving forward, together with our mission and vision, we will continue leveraging our global connections to contribute to the growth and development of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Event Report - “Zen & the Art of Japanese Market Entry – IVS Kyoto 2025”
Joshua Flannery

Joshua is a recognised innovation ecosystem leader in both Japan and Australia, as the co-founder and CEO of Innovation Dojo Japan. His experience includes Country Manager for European open innovation firm Rainmaking, lead Director for the largest startup hub in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney Startup Hub, and he was the first hire and leader of the University of New South Wales startup programs, which grew to become the leading university for entrepreneurs in Australia. He also has direct experience bringing a tech startup into Japan.

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