On Thursday, October 9, 2025, we held "Angel Scramble," a matching event for startup founders and angel investors, in Shibuya, Tokyo. (Co-hosted by Z Venture Capital, East Ventures, and Skyland Ventures)

This event featured 1-on-1 sessions of 12 minutes each slot, spanning an hour and a half, where founders and angel investors engaged in mentoring on fundraising and business matters. This time, over 40 startup founders and numerous angel investors gathered at the venue, creating an atmosphere filled with energy and excitement.

Participating Angel Investors:

Kei Tanaka / Former Goldman Sachs

Shigeru Urushihara / ULS Consulting

Hidetoshi Takano / Keep Players

Hidetaka Sawada / HIS

Masao Ito / User Local

Shinsuke Usami / CARTA HOLDINGS

Akihiko Shigeno / Inside Sales Plus

Keizo Tsutsui / LIFULL Investment

Takashi Yoshida / Former Thinkings Corporation

Yuko Ra / GRAND Corporation

Atsushi Katsumata / ONE MEDICAL

(The angel investors who participated in this event)

The venue brought together leading investors from across the industry. Through 1-on-1 sessions between startups and angel investors, as well as networking among investors themselves, it became a place where knowledge and networks were shared, allowing everyone to feel the expansion of the startup ecosystem.

Additionally, at this event, we had a special guest: Takahiro Anno, an AI engineer and member of the House of Councillors, who also participated in 1-on-1 sessions with startup founders. He provided high-density brainstorming sessions, drawing on his career at a consulting firm and his own entrepreneurial experience.

After the event, Anno stated, "We want to support startups' challenges through policy as well."

After the 90-minute 1-on-1 sessions, we held a networking reception that brought together angel investors, founders, and co-hosting VCs.

At the reception, with light refreshments and drinks in hand, conversations flourished throughout the venue, and the distance between participants became much closer. In the relaxed atmosphere, it was particularly impressive to see angel investors discussing their investment approaches and areas of recent interest with one another, as well as founders and investors sharing their aspirations with each other.

"It looks like we could do something together."

Hearing these words here and there throughout the venue gave us hope that this networking reception would go beyond mere networking and breathe new life into the startup ecosystem.

ZVC will continue to create opportunities through Angel Scramble where founders and investors can meet directly and new challenges are born. Please look forward to the next Angel Scramble. We are very excited to have many of you participate!