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公式X
Not "Ease of Entry" but "Is It In Demand?". Global Expansion as a "Survival Strategy" ― 7th Startup League Academy Digest Report ―
On December 9, 2025, the 7th "Startup League Academy" was held.
This event featured a special session titled "Basics of Global Expansion Strategy" by Mr. Alex Taisuke Odajima, Japan Representative of Start2 Group and a member of the steering committee. In the Value-Up Session, EfficiNet X Inc. and tayori Inc. took the stage, receiving mentoring designed to drive further business growth.
■ Special Session: "Basics of Global Expansion Strategy — Global as a Survival Strategy"
In the talk session, Mr. Odajima discussed why startups should aim for overseas markets and the strategies to get there, drawing from his extensive track record of support.
Mr. Odajima opened with a striking analogy: "Japan's GDP is about 4% of the global total. In the context of the Japanese domestic market, this is roughly the same scale as Saitama Prefecture." He used this to highlight the risks of remaining solely within the Japanese market, emphasizing that "Global expansion is not merely about scaling up; it is a survival strategy."
He further pointed out a golden rule for selecting countries to enter: prioritize "Demand" (is it needed locally?) over "Ease of Entry" (regulations or cultural affinity). He explained the importance of deeply understanding the context in which your solution solves a problem within the local culture and "focusing" intensely on the optimal market. Additionally, he offered specific advice for those eyeing funding from overseas VCs, noting that disseminating information in English and adapting to global standards for contracts and accounting are essential.
■ Value-Up Session: EfficiNet X Inc.
Mr. Shintaro Nakamura of EfficiNet X Inc. gave a presentation on "Team-play AI (Multi-Agent AI)," where multiple AI units and robots coordinate to perform tasks. He discussed the technology's unique advantages and its wide range of potential applications, including logistics, defense, and smart cities.
Experts pointed out that precisely because the technology is so versatile, the company needs to clearly articulate its "Worldview." Comments included advice on vision, such as, "Do you want to coordinate things while they remain chaotic, or do you want to organize them into orderly movement? Showing your own aesthetic will attract more people." There was also passionate, constructive feedback urging him to use the Value-Up venue more specifically to ask for what is needed, such as specific introductions.
■ Value-Up Session: tayori Inc.
Ms. Misaki Naobayashi of tayori Inc. pitched an "End-of-life activity service" based on her personal experiences. She announced a concept to pivot the service from one where users struggle to write messages they intend to leave behind ("I'll do it someday"), to a format that automatically generates these messages from daily "tweets" or casual posts.
Experts suggested not being bound by the heavy connotations of the word "Shukatsu" (End-of-life planning) and instead focusing on fundamental human desires and enjoyment. Many specific ideas were proposed regarding business model reconstruction, such as "Gamification" mechanisms where data accumulates naturally. Representative Ms. Naobayashi responded powerfully, stating, "I will rethink this from a flat perspective and overwrite (renew) the concept."
■ Detailed Report and Event Excitement on SNS!
Further details of these heated sessions will be shared in a detailed report to be published at a later date.
Latest updates will be announced on our official X (formerly Twitter), so please follow us and wait for further news.
Official X Account:https://x.com/startupleaguejp
Also, please search the hashtags to feel the real excitement of the day!
Recommended Hashtag:#StartupLeagueAcademy
■ ICT Startup League
This support program was launched in FY2023, initiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Start-up Creation-type Embryonic Research and Development Support Project."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Accompaniment Support
Up to 20 million JPY in R&D funding is provided as a grant. In addition, the selection committee members who participated in selecting the league members continue to stay close and promote growth after the selection. For companies that evaluators feel they "absolutely want to select," a support system akin to "Fandom (Oshi-katsu)" is built, where the evaluators themselves continuously support the company by offering advice on business plans and providing growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Incubation
We provide opportunities for learning and networking to promote the business growth of league members.
We also expand the base by discovering those who aim to start businesses in the future.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Serving as a venue for positive competition like a sports league, startups learn together and hone their skills while competing to win the necessary funding (up to 20 million JPY). We also provide a place for co-creation where league members collaborate to expand their businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions with selection and evaluation committee members.
4. Dissemination
We disseminate the initiatives of league members in cooperation with the media! By letting more people know about their businesses, we aim to expand the field for new matching and opportunities.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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EfficiNet X Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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EfficiNet X Inc. (Official Site)
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tayori Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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tayori Inc. (Official Site)
Other League Reports
For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.