VC Mentoring Hours: GX Partners [Japanese Only]

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 GX Partners. Three Managing Partners—Mr. Toshihiro Kishihara, and Mr. Takeshi Nakahara, Mr. Hiroshi Terai—will be involved in the event. Two of the three will participate in each mentoring session.
Please note: This round will be conducted in Japanese only.

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.
Registration Form

Event Overview

Event Title:
VC Mentoring Hours: GX Partners [Japanese Only]

Date:
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
13:30–16:00

Timetable:
13:30–14:00 – Introduction to GX Partners / Q&A
14:00–14:30 – Mentoring Session 1
14:30–15:00 – Mentoring Session 2
15:00–15:30 – Mentoring Session 3
15:30–16:00 – Mentoring Session 4

Guest VC:
GX Partners

Who is elligible:

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

Language:
Japanese

Registration Form:
https://forms.office.com/r/XH3n8S9Gb1

About GX Partners:

GxPartners is a venture capital firm based in Fukuoka, operating under the vision of “Make Next Centers.” We primarily invest in seed and early-stage startups, without limiting our focus to any specific industry. One of our strengths is supporting our portfolio companies by facilitating partnerships with major corporations in Kyushu and Fukuoka, who are also our fund investors.

Another key feature of GxPartners is our ability to support startups in expanding overseas, leveraging our network with international accelerators. We have strong ties with Taiwan and Singapore, and we actively invest in startups from these regions as well.

Every autumn, we host a startup event called “StartupGo!Go!”. In 2024, the event attracted over 3,000 participants.

[Event Report link: https://note.com/startup_gogogo/n/n289d9f8aabee]

As part of this event, we hold a pitch competition called “The Pitch,” in which 30 startups participate. The event draws not only startups from Fukuoka and Kyushu, but also venture capitalists and corporate partners from Tokyo and beyond.

GxPartnersは「Make Next Centers」というビジョンで福岡を拠点に活動しているベンチャーキャピタルで、シード・アーリーステージを主な投資対象としています。投資する領域は特に限定していません。投資先に対して、ファンド出資者である九州・福岡の大企業との連携をサポートしています。また、海外のアクセラレーターとのネットワークを通じて、スタートアップの海外進出のサポートができるのも特徴の一つです。特に台湾とシンガポールに強く、台湾・シンガポールのスタートアップにも投資しています。

毎年秋に「StartupGo!Go!」というスタートアップイベントを開催しており、2024年は3,000人以上の参加者がありました。https://note.com/startup_gogogo/n/n289d9f8aabee

このイベントの中で行われる「The Pitch」というピッチベントには30社のスタートアップが参加し、福岡・九州だけではなく東京などから多くのベンチャーキャピタル・事業会社も訪れます。

Mentor Profile:

	Name	Title	Bio
	Toshihiro Kishihara	Managing Partner	He established GxPartners LLP and became the Managing Partner (current position) in 2018, formed the Kyushu Open Innovation Fund from 2019 and started his career as a Venture capitalist. Also participated in overseas events as a speaker and is mentoring overseas startups. Believes in contributing to the building of the ecosystem as a globally active accelerator based in Fukuoka. He served as the first executive committee chairman of StarupGo!Go! In 2014. Currentry it becomes the biggest startup event in our region. He established accelerator Startup GoGo Inc and became the Managing Partner (current position) in 2016. He managed a consulting company “Growth Assist” by MBO of a subsidiary of D.Brain Securities. Has been involved in equity financing for many SME's, supporting financing from VCs, making an internal control system for IPOs, and advising M & A (2009-2018). He worked for underwriting division at a D.Brain Securities specializing in IPO, and served as the manager of the corporate planning office in charge of IPO preparation (1999-2009). He joined the corporate planning department of the international distribution group Yaohan (1997-1999)
	Takeshi Nakahara	Managing Partner	Takeshi Nakahara began his professional career in 2003 at the Japan Finance Corporation (JFC), where he gained extensive experience in SME and startup financing. In 2013, he was appointed to the Fukuoka Startup Support Center, where he played a key role in supporting early-stage ventures, including the first application of a capital-based loan program for startups in the Kyushu region. His involvement with StartupGo!Go!, which began in 2014, became a turning point in his career and led to his departure from the JFC. In 2019, he began his journey as a venture capitalist with GxPartners. At GxPartners, He not only provides risk capital but also brings a hands-on approach to startup growth. He leverages his background in public finance to support founders with fundraising strategies that integrate both equity and debt financing. His deep understanding of startup challenges and commitment to ecosystem development make him a trusted partner for early-stage entrepreneurs in Japan and beyond.
	Hiroshi Terai	Managing Partner	He passed the National Tax Accountant Examination in 2005—currently a partner tax accountant at Kurokawa & Co. Tax Corporation. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with over 200 companies, spanning a range of industries, from early-stage startups to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and publicly listed firms. He has extensive experience supporting capital raising through startup loans and venture capital financing, as well as advising on M&A deals involving large corporations acquiring startups and succession-driven M&A. He joined the organizing team of the first StartupGo!Go! in 2014, and became Managing Partner at GxPartners in 2019. He currently leads the UPDRAFT acceleration program.