VC Mentoring Hours: HERO IMPACT CAPITAL

In collaboration with leading venture capital firms, OIST Innovation offers startups and entrepreneurial researchers or students the opportunity to connect directly with venture capitalists for one-on-one mentoring and discussion.
Each round begins with an open seminar-style introduction, where participants can learn about the VC firm's investment focus and characteristics. This is followed by private, closed-door mentoring sessions between startups/researchers/students and the VC representatives.

The featured VC for this round is HERO IMPACT CAPITAL.

Registration is required.
If the number of applicants exceeds the available slots, OIST Innovation will select participants based on the information provided in the registration form and the strategic fit with the VC.

Sign up here.

About HERO IMPACT CAPITAL

HERO Impact Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2022, specializing in seed-stage deep tech investments. The firm operates three integrated functions: a foundation, a research institute, and a VC fund. Its foundation (ZERO Foundation) supports the research activities of young researchers, while its research institute (ZERO INSTITUTE) helps match researchers with large corporations to support the social implementation of their work. Through its VC fund, the firm invests in deep tech companies at the seed stage, and its Fund I has invested in 26 companies to date. Its involvement goes beyond providing capital—the team works alongside founders on everything from shaping their business to team-building and forming corporate partnerships. They aim to be of help even from the earliest conceptual stages, as research is being shaped into a venture.

https://hero.vc/

Mentors

Shuzo Yamamoto
Vice President, HERO Impact Capital

Originally from Sweden. After studying at Stockholm University, he worked as a Product Manager at Mercari US and Tailor (US) - He has been involved in product development at multiple startups - At HERO, he is responsible for internal AI adoption and building global partnerships

Event Overview

Event Title:
VC Mentoring Hours: HERI IMPACT CAPITAL

Date:
Thursday, July 22nd, 2026
15:00–17:00 JST

Timetable:
15:00–15:30 – Introduction to HERO IMPACT CAPITAL / Q&A
15:30–16:00 – Mentoring Session 1
16:00–16:30 – Mentoring Session 2
16:30–17:00 – Mentoring Session 3

Guest VC:
HERO IMPACT CAPITAL

Who is elligible:

• OIST Startups
• OIST Innovation Incubator Tenants
• Deep-Tech startups in Okinawa
• OIST researchers or students interested in startup

Language:
English or Japanese

Registration Form:

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