Do you think that “entrepreneurship” mindset and skills are something that only those interested in starting a company should have?
The answer is “no”.
-Whether you work for a large company or continue your research in the academia, “entrepreneurship” is the source of your value.
-Establishing a company is not the only form of entrepreneurship, but understanding why people establish a company is directly related to fostering your entrepreneurial mindset.
At Academy for Leadership (ToTAL) and Center for Entrepreneurship Education (CEE), we are honored to invite Mr. Akira Kurabayashi, Managing Partner and Head of Japan of DNX Ventures on Friday, January 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to speak on “Driving Innovation Through Entrepreneurship”. He will answer questions from participants after his talk. This event will be held in Japanese with English materials.
Everyone, from those who think “entrepreneurship” has nothing to do with you or feel they lack entrepreneurial mindset and skills, to those who actually have a business idea and are interested in starting a business, are welcome to join this event and hear his talk.
This is an excellent opportunity to experience the essence of “entrepreneurship” as an introduction to the Entrepreneurship course “Bachelor’s Fundamental Group Work for Value Creation B (ENT.V202, 0-1-0)” which will be officially offered in the second semester of next academic year (AY 2025). For graduate students, this class will be counted as a content of this semester’s course of “Professionals and Value Creation B/D”.
OUTLINE
| DATE & TIME | Friday, January 31, 2025, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
| VENUE | S4-201 lecture room, 2nd floor, South Building 4, Ookayama Campus *We may change the venue depending on the number of registrants. |
| LANGUAGE | Japanese (with English materials for support) |
| GUEST SPEAKER | DNX Ventures Managing Partner/Head of Japan Mr. Akira Kurabayashi |
| ELIGIBILITY | Science Tokyo students |
| REGISTRATION FORM | https://forms.gle/ABCCmycKHUt1Unty9 |
PROGRAM
Driving Innovation Through Entrepreneurship-
Mr. Kurabayashi is planned to speak on topic such as:
(1) Reasons for the demand for innovation, the qualities required of the entrepreneurs who lead innovation, and the differences in the startup environment and governance, and the role of venture capitals between Japan and the U.S.
(2) How large companies in the U.S. are increasing their corporate value through startup acquisitions
(3) The current state of the startup ecosystem in Japan, its challenges, and its potential for the future
(4) How venture capitalists identify, execute, and support investments
ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKER
DNX Ventures GP/Managing Partner and Head of Japan
Akira Kurabayashi（PhD）
DNX VENTURES is a premier venture capital firm based in Japan and the U.S., with a proven track record of successful ventures in both Japan and the United States.
Mr. Akira Kurabayashi (PhD) has been involved in venture capital investments in Japan and Silicon Valley as well as business development of investee companies at Fujitsu Ltd. and Mitsui & Co. , Ltd.
After studying abroad for his MBA, Mr. Kurabayashi served as the Japan Representative of Globespan Capital Partners and Salesforce Ventures.
In March 2015, Mr. Kurabayashi joined DNX Ventures (formerly Draper Nexus Ventures) as Managing Director, and became Managing Partner and Japan Representative in September 2020.
Mr. Kurabayashi holds a BA in Commerce and Ph.D in Technology and Innovation Management from Doshisha University, MBA from Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania, and MA in Law from Hitotsubashi University. He completed the General Management Program at the Harvard Business School (GMP36) and the Executive Management Program at the University of Tokyo (17th term).
He is a published author of “The Corporate Venture Capital Handbook”. (Chuokeizai-sha)
Contact
Questions are welcome at any time.
Academy for Leadership (ToTAL) / Center for Entrepreneurship Education (CEE)
Prof. Keisuke Yamada
e-mail address: yamada.k.be@m.titech.ac.jp
Office: S6-309B
