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Let me ask you a question.How many Japanesestartups can you name?And how much do you knowabout the stories behind them?Probably only a few.But it's not because Japan doesn't have greatstartups,but it's just because their stories stayinside a black box.From outside of Japan,yousimply cannot say them.That's why I run a mediapodcast,Startup Now.
Our concept is the stories of founders,and most ofour guests are founders who have just raisedfunding.During each one-hour episode,we don'tstart with the product,but start with the person.What shaped you?What made you start?And whatalmost stopped you?
We've been doing this for three years,so far morethan 150 founders and 250 episodes.But somethinghappened that I didn't expect it.After getting toknow the founders really are,some of our listenersgetting to apply for jobs at their companies.Andyoung people found role models among our guests.
And began to think,maybe I'm next.So why did Istart this media?Let me tell you about the storiesof us.I used to work for PR in a startup.And thenthere are very few media outlets coveringstartups.We had amazing founders,but almost nobodywas telling their stories.
And I thought,if I love startup this much,I shouldbe the one to do it.That's how Startup Now began.Years later,when we needed a studio,more than 250listeners found it for us.But the ecosystem ischanging.For Japanese startups,reaching the globalmarket has become much more important.
So,creating contents only for Japanese is nolonger enough.That's why we added both Japaneseand English subtitles to everything we make.Andalso,we started producing English content withguests from overseas.
So now,we can help Japanese startups reach theworld.And also,at the same time,we can createopportunities for international startups and VCswho want to enter the Japanese market.
Imagine a Japanese person meeting someone fromanother country for the first time.And then I say,Hi,I'm Inari.I'm from Japan.And they say,Oh,you'reJapanese.I love anime and sushi.That's prettytypical today.
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But I hope you'll hear this instead.Oh,you'reJapanese.I use this Japanese app every day.And myteam is working with a Japanese factory to build arobot.Actually,this is not Sunday.Maybe it'salready happening right now.
You haven't heard about it yet.Because nobody wastelling you.That's why startups now exist.
So here's my ask.Search for startups now onYouTube or our podcast app.And subscribe and watchthe episode.
And if you're interested in joining us as a guest,please reach out to me.
Japan has great startups.I just want you to knowand hear them.Thank you very much.
