IssueHunt Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kazumasa Yokomizo), a provider of bug bounty platforms and security services, announced on February 9 the selection of the Call for Proposals (CFP) speaker for "P3NFEST" (PenFest), a cybersecurity conference for students scheduled for March 7, 2026.
Kensuke Ota, General Manager of the Platform Division at Kaonavi, Inc., was selected through the open call process. On the day of the event, he will share practical insights with students in a session titled "Beyond the Attack: The Defender's Mindset Every Pentester Should Know."
Mr. Ota, who has extensive experience as an engineer at SIers and cryptocurrency exchanges, currently serves as the head of company-wide security risk management for an HRTech firm. Driven by the mission of "bridging management and security," he is also an active voice in the security community on social media.
In his upcoming lecture, he will explain not only how to find and report vulnerabilities but also how those reports are received by the defensive side (Blue Team) and used to prioritize countermeasures. Utilizing the card-game-based educational tool "SHELLS HACK," he will introduce the defender's thought process, aiming to nurture pentesters who understand both offense and defense.
"P3NFEST" is an event designed to help students feel more connected to diverse career paths within the security industry. The venue is hosted at "Abema Towers" with the cooperation of CyberAgent, Inc.
Additionally, a bug bounty event restricted to participants aged 25 and under is scheduled to start on February 16, with nine companies, including Nikkei Inc. and HENNGE, providing programs. Through these initiatives, IssueHunt aims to support the growth of students who will carry the future of Japan's cybersecurity.
■ ICT Startup League
This support program was launched in fiscal year 2023, sparked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Seed-stage R&D Support Project for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding & Hands-on Support
R&D expenses of up to 20 million yen are provided in the form of subsidies. Furthermore, the selection committee members who evaluate the startups continue to provide hands-on support to foster growth even after the selection process. This unique "fan-driven" support system allows evaluators who strongly believe in a company to continue providing advice on business plans and growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Development
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to accelerate the business growth of its members. It also works to discover aspiring entrepreneurs to expand the foundation of the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Structured like a sports league, it serves as a platform for positive competition where startups learn together and strive to secure the necessary funding (up to 20 million yen). It also provides a space for co-creation, where league members collaborate to expand their businesses through sessions with committee members and other networking opportunities.
4. Media Exposure
The league partners with media outlets to broadcast the initiatives of its members. By increasing public awareness of these businesses, the program aims to create new matching opportunities and expand the horizons for success.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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IssueHunt Inc. (Official Site)
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IssueHunt Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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P3NFEST 2026 Spring (Official Site)
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Original Press Release (Japanese)
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For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.
