Beyond Borders - Scaling into Japan and APAC
We’re thrilled to announce our lead investment in Pi-xcels , a fintech innovator streamlining transactions with NFC-enabled digital receipts—no app required. With a simple tap, customers receive digital receipts, while businesses gain valuable insights. Already operating in Asia and Europe, and soon expanding to the U.S., Pi-xcels is at the forefront of the paperless retail revolution, powered by strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology. Congratulations to Daniel Lim, Zhen Rong Chua, Yi Hao Tan and & Eric Lu.
?? Read more about why we chose Pi-xcels in a feature by Jackson Loo — Article in English, Japanese & Traditional Chinese.
At IVS KYOTO, we had the pleasure of speaking with Naoki Aoyagi , founder of Newmo, about his mission to transform Japan’s transportation landscape.
Drawing on leadership experience from GREE International Entertainment, Inc. and Mercari, Aoyagi is steering Newmo toward user-friendly, sustainable mobility. By acquiring an Osaka taxi company and leveraging regulatory shifts, Newmo is poised for significant growth. With nearly 20 committed co-founders, the team exemplifies experience and dedication. As Aoyagi says, “Believe in big trends and people.” We’re excited to support Newmo in crafting innovative, practical mobility solutions for Japan’s future.
?? Read our interview with Aoyagi here.
Upcoming Events
Join IVS Beta, an exclusive event for entrepreneurs and investors. Explore what it takes to thrive post-VC funding—covering strategic collaboration, board dynamics, and founder-investor balance. Registration by approval only!
??? Friday, December 13
?? 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM [GMT+8]
Together with JAFCO and Viva Technology , we are hosting a family-style breakfast featuring some of Tokyo’s top investors. This casual gathering brings together venture capitalists, strategic investors, and angel investors from Japan and beyond for meaningful conversations over coffee and croissants.
??? Friday, December 13
?? 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM [GMT+9]
领英推荐
?? Tokyo
Event Recap
On November 21, Transpose Platform and IVS hosted Founders’ Day 2024 at Shibuya QWS in Tokyo, providing Japan-based founders with an opportunity for candid discussions with world-class founders and investors.
The event featured a blend of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Notable speakers included:
Key Highlights:
Current Trends in SaaS and Looking Ahead To 2025
Jason Lemkin (CEO, SaaStr) shared insights on SaaS trends and the rise of AI startups, moderated by Alex Bangash (Co-founder & General Partner, Transpose Platform). Discussions explored scaling strategies and leveraging Silicon Valley networks for AI founders.
YC Panel: Unlocking Pathways to Startup Success
Moderated by 陈中 (Partner, Transpose Platform), this panel featured Pushkar Mukewar, who provided actionable strategies for early-stage startups on fundraising, talent acquisition, and navigating pivotal growth challenges.
EF Fireside Chat: Constructing Startups for Success from Day One
Akio T. (Co-founder & General Partner, Headline Asia) led a conversation with Tom Shinner (COO, Entrepreneur First), exploring Entrepreneur First’s approach to building globally competitive startups, with practical lessons for Japanese founders.
OpenHome: A Founder Success Story
Shannon Wu (Co-founder & CEO, OpenHome) captivated the audience with a journey through AI’s evolution, inspired by Alan Turing’s predictions. She shared a compelling vision of a future where intelligence is seamlessly integrated into everyday devices through intuitive voice control.
Reach out to Kenneth Jeng & Jennifer Lin to gain insights on the latest trends, we’d love to have you join us at our upcoming gatherings in APAC.
Don’t miss next week’s edition as we continue to bring you the latest trends, emerging startups, and exclusive event insights. Until then, feel free to reach out to our team—let’s keep the conversation going and make the next big opportunity yours.
As always, have a great week!
— The Headline Asia Team