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The Destination for Japan inspired Innovators
If Conference, in its second year, brings together notable speakers and innovators who are influenced by Japan and place a premium on design and social innovation. Join us for inspirational talks, business insights and Japan-inspired innovations.
Brought to you by Japan NYC Startups, New York City's community of entrepreneurs and technologists in the Japanese startup scene. Co-organized by Japan Society, a multidisciplinary hub for global leaders, artists, scholars, educators, and English and Japanese-speaking audiences.
Ticketing Information:
General Admission Ticket: $50
Evening Admission Ticket: $30 (After 5:30PM ONLY. Access to Evening Keynote & Reception)
Limited VIP Tickets: $100 includes
- Priority Seating
- Access to Small Private Party on Evening of May 19th
- ItoEn Assorted Tea, Suntory Kiwami Greens, Dassai Sake (value worth over $100)
- One-on-one Meeting Session with either one of our Speakers, Exhibitors, or Partners
Evening Admission Ticket: $30 (After 5:30PM ONLY. Access to Evening Keynote & Reception)
Keynote & Guest Speakers
A roster of incredible speakers, from legendary entrepreneurs to the new generation of all-star founders and innovators.
Alan M. Webber is an award-winning, nationally-recognized entrepreneur, editor, author, and columnist. In 1995, he launched Fast Company magazine, which quickly became the fastest growing, most successful business magazine in history. Prior to founding Fast Company, Webber was the managing editor and editorial director of the Harvard Business Review. His articles and columns have appeared in The New York Times Sunday magazine, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications. He has also been active at local, state, and national political levels, serving as policy advisor for the mayor of Portland, Oregon and as special assistant to the United States Secretary of Transportation. In 2014 he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Mexico. He is also a member of Japan Society’s Innovators Network and a Japan Society U.S.-Japan Leadership Fellow.
Rie Yano is the Co-Founder and CEO of Material World, a designer fashion trade-in service that makes upgrading your closet easy, fast and guilt-free. With Material World’s reloadable debit card, you can instantly earn money each time you trade-in fashions you no longer wear, and shop at 700+ retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Barneys. All items traded in find a new home through resale channels where they will be re-worn with love or are donated to Housing Works. Prior to founding the company, Rie was a Web Producer at Coach and the Head of Global Public Relations Team at Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan’s largest trading and investment company. Raised in 4 countries with exposure to diverse cultures, Rie is passionate about diversity and individuality, and encourages a lifestyle where you never stop evolving and can experiment with your style in a sustainable way. Rie holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and received her BA from Sophia University in Tokyo.
Named in Creativity Magazine’s annual “Creativity 50” as well as one of “the Top 25 Most Creative People in Advertising” in Forbes Magazine, Rei Inamoto is one of the most influential individuals in the marketing and creative industry today. With a broad international experience in Asia, Europe and the US as well as an unusual combination of background in advertising, design and technology, Rei brings a unique perspective to his work. Rei is a frequent speaker at numerous conferences such as Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, SXSW and Spikes Asia to name a few. His writing and opinions have been widely published in publications like Fast Company, Wired and Contagious Magazine, making him a thought leader and a prominent voice in the industry. Originally from Tokyo, Rei spent his childhood and teenage years in Japan and Europe. He then moved to the US to complete his university studies with degrees in fine arts and computer science – all before people were broadcasting their feelings, talking in 140 characters or less, or becoming friends with people they didn’t know. He currently resides in New York.
Rosanne Haggerty - President and CEO of Community Solutions
Adina Shanholtz - Technical Evangelist at Microsoft
Toru Hasegawa - Co-creator of Morpholio
Han-Shen Chen - Lead Product Designer at Microsoft
Masashi Kawamura - Executive Creative Director & Founder of the Creative Lab PARTY
Ajay Revels - Design Researcher of Politemachines
Rona Tison - SVP of Corporate Relations at ItoEn North America
Hayato Nishi - Business Development at Shima Seiki USA
Jiro Otsuka - Program Manager at Urban Future Lab
Karen Bhatia - Vice President at New York City Economic Development Corporation
Daiki Nakajima - Project Manager, Business Development at JETRO New York
More to be announced!
Agenda (Details TBA on Official Website)
Become a Sponsor
Our paid sponsors are located right outside of our main conference room and get access to our VIP reception, meet high-caliber business and tech professionals and entrepreneurs, and much more! To start the conversation about sponsoring the conference, please contact Masa Okunisihi at info@risinstartups.io.
Showcase & Pitch
Need visibility for your brand, fundraising or recruiting? Showcase your product and pitch in front of our investors, media, and attendees! To be one of the selected companies, please reach out to Jennifer Lin at pl2332@gmail.com.
Become a Volunteer
Interested in helping out the If Conference team on site? Our volunteers get the chance to attend the conference, see the technology, and network with industry leaders and innovators. Volunteer spots are in high demand, so apply as soon as possible. Please contact us at volunteer@ifconference.com.
Visit us at www.ifconference.com