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Home > Asia Tech Podcast > ATP Stories: Simon Kim – FASTx and The Startup Ecosystem in Tokyo
Podcast: Asia Tech Podcast
Episode:

ATP Stories: Simon Kim – FASTx and The Startup Ecosystem in Tokyo
Category: Business
Duration: 00:57:28
Publish Date: 2018-04-02 19:00:00
Description:

Podcast highlights:

  • 24:44 The population fundamentals of Japan and how demographic changes shape the startup ecosystem
  • 36:29 Start up founders in Tokyo tend to get bank loans by default instead of seeking angel investors - does this present a challenge to Japan?
  • 40:48 The city of Fukuoka and its top down approach to building an ecosystem. Is it sustainable long term?

Podcast notes:

  • 00:05 Welcome Simon Kim to Asia Tech Podcast Stories, hosted by Graham Brown
  • 01:00 A little bit about Simon Kim's background and how he arrived in Japan
  • 02:00 All about FASTx, a start up accelerator platform and coworking space
  • 06:00 Bringing a Western influence into Japan
  • 07:20 Was not speaking Japanese when coming to Japan an issue for Simon?
  • 10:40 The reasons Simon chose Japan as a place to base FASTx, a start up accelerator
  • 14:55 Risk adversity in Japan. Why be a start up founder when you can work for Mitsubishi?
  • 15:55 The distinct lack of success stories about Japanese entrepreneurs
  • 18:45 The history of Japan often changes from the outside. Is that what Simon is trying to do?
  • 21:50 How is the typical start up founder in the Japan different compared to founders from other countries?
  • 24:44 The population fundamentals of Japan and how demographic changes shape the startup ecosystem
  • 27:40 Simon's experiences of mentoring young start up founders in Japan
  • 28:56 The Japanese idea of starting a side business to supplement income
  • 31:48 The Japanese buoyance and passion about making things, and how this is reflected in start ups
  • 34:40 Business failure in Japan and facing debts when a start up fails
  • 36:29 Start up founders in Tokyo tend to get bank loans by default instead of seeking angel investors - does this present a challenge to Japan?
  • 40:48 The city of Fukuoka and its top down approach to building an ecosystem. Is it sustainable long term?
  • 44:25 Can the alternative lifestyle of Fukuoka be extended to Tokyo and other cities?
  • 49:50 Would Simon consider working with someone who is doing their start up on a part time basis? Does age matter?
  • 53:37 Founders need to have a good ability to present and sell their product
  • 55:26 Go to fastx.jp to out more about FASTx and sign up for the upcoming competition in April.To get in touch with Simon, email info@fastx.jp
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