

The Growth Hub is our monthly gathering for an open exchange on the realities of building and scaling ventures in Japan.This session focuses on the tactical bridge between Tokyo and Silicon Valley through the lens of Jinba (YC W26) (they're hiring!*).
Making it into Y Combinator remains a statistical rarity - Jinba is one of only three Japanese startups to do so in twenty years. Shoya Matsumori, a veteran of the Tokyo ML scene, secured a spot after six consecutive rejections and a strategic move to San Francisco. Since launching in April 2025, the startup has rapidly expanded its user base, validating the demand for natural language interfaces in complex operational environments.Join us to hear the story of what it took to get to the Demo Day, the reality of scaling a Japanese venture into a global machine learning contender, and how the Japanese ecosystem can internalize the learned lessons.
*Jinba is looking for technical talent! Confessed affinity for ex-founders/early-stage startup experience.
This interactive discussion will be moderated by Francisco (Special Advisor, Shibuya City).Conducted in English.
🗼 About Shibuya Startup SupportShibuya Startup Support is an initiative by the Shibuya City Office to support startups looking to launch or expand in Japan. We provide guidance, visa and incorporation support, and access to a thriving local ecosystem.
✅ By attending this event, you agree to the Service Policy and Code of Conduct.✅ By attending this event, you consent to being photographed or recorded for use in Shibuya Startup Support communications, including our website and social media channels.
🌱 About Tokyo Startup Lunch ClubWe are a group of startup founders, investors and other people related to or interested in the startup scene, who gather every Tuesday at the Tokyo International Forum, starting from 11:30 AM to have lunch, share our experiences and discuss various topics in a casual environment.
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Growth Hub #14 - By Founders, For Founders is a free independent taking place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Shibuya Startup Support, Japan, 〒150-0011 Tokyo, Shibuya, Higashi, 1-chōme−29−3 渋谷Bridge B棟, Shibuya, Japan. This independent is organised by Shibuya Startup Support. Attendance is free — register to secure your spot. Currently 2 people have registered out of 2 spots. The event runs for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Join this independent over 1 hour and 30 minutes for an engaging session of learning, discussion, and networking with fellow attendees.
This independent in Shibuya is ideal for:
This morning independent is part of the growing events scene in Shibuya. Whether you're based in Shibuya or visiting for the independent, it's a great opportunity to connect with the local community. Browse more upcoming events in Shibuya on Rifio.
Growth Hub #14 - By Founders, For Founders covers topics including AI. Find similar events by browsing these topics on Rifio.