The startup ecosystems in America and Europe are built around people like Ikuo, but men like him are still quite rare in Japan. After founding a series of successful (and a few less than successful) startups, Ikuo moved to the other side of the table and begin investing and mentoring.

Japanese venture capital firms are still dominated by bankers and MBAs, but the situation is starting to change as more and more successful Japanese entrepreneurs begin investing in the next generation of Japanese startups.

Show Notes
- Who are the new Japanese angel investors, and why they are important
- How Japanese attitudes towards failure are beginning to change
New hiring patterns for startup employees and founders in Japan
- Why insiders are optimistic about the future of Japanese startups
- Why venture capital funds should be run like startup ventures
- Osaka's unique startup challenges and solutions