The Japan Startup Support Association (JSSA) will host "The JSSA Sapporo Meetup Vol.65" on September 18, 2026, at the Sapporo First Joint Government Office Building. Focused on the theme "Challenge Drives the Future," this event aims to revitalize the startup ecosystem by bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and government officials from across Japan to Sapporo.
The event features three in-depth panel sessions exploring growth strategies for the AI and Web3 era, entrepreneurship education, and the secrets to rapid PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycles for business scaling. The speaker lineup includes some of Japan's most prominent executives and experts, such as Kazuhiko Chuma of Mizuho Bank, Tetsuya Sanada of KLab Inc., and Katsuhisa Kinoshita of North Star Corporation.
The event's centerpiece is the Pitch Award, where four selected startups will present their ventures. The winner will be granted an investment opportunity of up to 10 million yen from the Sapporo Founders Fund. Please note that this is an investment opportunity subject to formal review and deliberation, rather than a cash prize.
Following the main program, a networking session will allow participants to connect with speakers and fellow attendees. Designed as a platform to facilitate tangible outcomes—such as fundraising, business partnerships, talent acquisition, and regional collaboration—the event seeks to accelerate a new wave of co-creation originating from Hokkaido. The event is free of charge and open to a broad audience, ranging from aspiring entrepreneurs to students.