Translated from 日本語 • View original I participated in Slush tokyo last week! I have had two very intense days, so I will share my experience.
What kind of event is Slush?
The world's largest startup conference has been held in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, since 2008.
Focusing on seasonal keywords such as Robot, Blockchain, Bitcoin, VR, etc., sessions, pitches, and exhibitions will gather together.
In Japan, it was first held in 2015 as "Slush Asia", and this year is the third time.
The name has been changed to "Slush tokyo" since this year, and more than 4,000 participants visited Tokyo Big Sight from March 29th to 30th.
A big event with 17,500 people participating in Finland!
After Tokyo, it will be held in Singapore in September.
By the way, the ticket price is 18,000 yen for two days. The early bird discount is 14,000 yen, so I want to buy it as soon as possible next year.
Slush 3 Features
1. All content is in English
The official website is also ALL English! http://tokyo.slush.org/ All sessions are conducted in English, and there is no simultaneous interpretation.
I was surprised by the high level of English and communication between the speakers and the Japanese who were speaking! I want to learn from you.
2. International Student Volunteers
A total of about 500 student volunteer staff will moderate and guide you. Everyone seemed to be bilingual and had a lot of international color.
If you are a student who is interested in the tech industry or startups, or if you want to make friends with foreign people, we recommend participating!
3. Club? Festival? ? Flashy worldview
This atmosphere doesn't look like a Tech conference! The opening act and closing party on the second day were performed loudly and like a club.
Perhaps it is Asia seen from the West, buildings reminiscent of Bon Odori yagura and red lanterns decorate the venue.
Slush Tokyo 2017 Highlights
Carlos Ghosn on stage
After all, Carlos Ghosn received the most attention! It is an honor to meet you at such a historic time, just a few days before the President and CEO are stepping down.
- Predicting the future of autonomous driving
- Market entry into the automotive industry from the perspective of IT companies
- What you need to innovate
It was talked about for 30 minutes.
Pitch Winner Goes to Korean Startup
"dot" presented a smart device with Braille reflection.
"This is the world's first smartwatch for the visually impaired!"
There was a roar and applause from the audience.
It is a Korean startup that has already partnered with Google and is also developing tablets.
Conventional braille keyboards were expensive, but this can be purchased for about 300 dollars, which will lead to the spread of Braille.
Great idea.
Blockchain Whirlwind
This news was announced on the main stage of the first day.
, 2017Funderbeam, a blockchain-based stock exchange for startups, raises €2 million from Mistletoe to expand into the Asia-Pacific region #SLUSHTOKYO17 https://t.co/Djqn6wuoQv pic.twitter.com/zXXrP3LixC
— THE BRIDGE_jp (@thebridge_jp) March 29
An opportunity for startup fundraising processes to be databased, spreading transparency and trust.
I think it was good news for the startups at the venue.
Startups Surrounding the World
As I have mentioned many times in this IsaB, ISAO's 2020 VISION is "A visionary company that makes the world happy."
I heard keywords such as work, work style reform, career, mentor, etc. on Slush.
On the main stage, Wantedly from Japan and Jobbatical from Estonia took the stage.
Both are startup companies famous for matching companies with people who want to work.
The keyword that came up in each talk was "Talent". They are people with ability and potential.
- Talent was very good when it was launched.
- Does your company have good talent?
Both are female CEOs and business leaders. I admire you!
Learning from Startups
According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2017, neither Tokyo nor Fukuoka have a single city in the top 20 in the world ranking of startup ecosystems*.
It may lack excitement compared to the rest of the world, but I went to Slush to find out what the real situation is.
Quote from: http://www.urenio.org/2017/03/23/2017-global-startup-ecosystem-report/
Overall ranking of performance, Funding, Market Reach, Talent, Startup Experience
Even companies and people like ISAO, who are neither ventures nor investors, that is, who are not responsible for the ecosystem, are still interested in experiencing the startup industry.
Because there is an opportunity to think creatively and simply about business and innovation.
Here are some of the royal questions asked by investors who judge pitch events.
- The concept is interesting. What is your business model?
- How do you expand your market?
- What value does this service create?
The basic thing to think about in any business.
Especially when running your own service, not only marketers and product owners, but also engineers, designers, customer support, and everyone on the team should be able to empathize and talk about it.
We will make do everything with limited funds and resources, and polish the product while aiming for the next fundraising. Their thoughts and actions had an essence that inspired me strongly because I was an office worker.
Tech culture from Japan and Tokyo
Tech conferences are SXSW, Tech Open Air, and Slush, and I have experienced the main points, and what I felt about Slush.
The conference is one big community. It is a group of people who have common and sympathetic interests and values.
One thing I felt was disappointed, perhaps because of the humble Japanese physique.
Rather than trying to create innovation that can only be created in Tokyo against the backdrop of Tokyo's culture and history, there were expressions that brought up the negatives, such as what Japan lacks compared to overseas startup cities.
For example, Tech Open Air had a community of people who felt comfortable with Berlin's unique culture. Berlin can create a Tech market with a novel concept! Oh! It's like a sense of unity in the venue.
I hope that Slush will continue to expand as a conference that drives such a culture.
Conclusion
ISAO is not a startup company, but it has a vision of "realizing services that will make hundreds of millions of people hot from Japan", and the mind can stand shoulder to shoulder with startups.
As a "visionary company that makes the world's Shigoto fun", we want to become the center of the movement in the area of "enjoying Shigoto" and lead the market.
- I want to make my current job unbelievably enjoyable.
- I want to work with colleagues who can be serious about their work.
- I just want to be enthusiastic about my work.
I support people like this!
I want to go to Slush next year!