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BRIDGING

Student Today. Leader Tomorrow. In between?

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Overview

Long-term business growth depends on attracting, developing, and growing alongside the next generation of talent. Yet too often, great students and growing companies simply don't find each other. The transition from student today to future leader is a shared journey for students, academia, and business.

Today's students are looking beyond corporate prestige. They seek opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow through meaningful work. At the same time, startups and SMEs are looking for people who are curious, adaptable, and ready to help their business grow. Connecting those expectations takes more than recruitment—it requires thoughtful onboarding, meaningful conversations, and a genuine commitment to growth.

BRIDGING brings together students, founders, business leaders, HR professionals, educators, and mentors to explore how we can better prepare, support, and develop the next generation of talent, leaders, and innovators. Through shared perspectives and open dialogue, we'll explore the Startup Advantage - and how stronger collaboration between academia and industry can create lasting value for both people and businesses.

Date
Time
13:00 – 18:00
Venue
Tokyo Innovation Base
Stage
Language
English
Capacity
60
Admission
Free
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Why Attend?

Open Conversation

Skip the passive presentations. Connect students, founders, and academic leaders for a flat, open-floor conversation about the realities of entering the workforce today.

Next-Gen Expectations

Go beyond standard HR metrics. Hear directly from Gen Z professionals about what they actually look for in workplace culture, safety, and meaningful work.

Culture That Retains

Learn how to use agility and transparent leadership to create an environment where early-career professionals can grow, make an impact, and want to stay.

Who Should Join?

  • Founders & Entrepreneurs

    Leaders looking to build an authentic organizational culture that attracts high-potential graduates.

  • Students & Early-Career Pros

    Future leaders eager to discuss culture, psychological safety, growth, and workplace dynamics directly with decision-makers.

  • Talent Strategists & Managers

    Professionals focused on mentorship frameworks and onboarding experiences that support early-career talent.

  • Junior Worker Mentors

    Leaders dedicated to helping recent graduates transition from academic environments to the startup workforce.

  • Academic & Career Advisors

    Educators tracking startup trends to guide students toward meaningful careers outside traditional job hunting cycles.

  • Register for event

Timetable

  1. Doors open & Check-in

    Doors open for check-in and pre-event networking.

  2. Opening

    Welcome, speaker introduction, and participant introduction.

  3. Real Stories from the Field

    Personal stories and perspectives provide real-world examples and context for the gaps we need to bridge today.

    Erica Adams is the Executive Director of Career Development at Temple University Japan, where she builds internship and employer pipelines for over 3,500 students. She partners with startups and global companies to open career pathways for bilingual and international students and explores how AI is reshaping hiring in Japan.

    Timing, Language, and Where the Opportunities Are

    Japanese language ability decides who is allowed to apply for most new graduate roles in Japan, and it is measured long before graduation. This session looks at the other ways into a job, and what students and smaller employers can each do differently.

    Joe Kitamura is the CEO of Milly, Inc., dedicated to transforming the traditional manufacturing industry. He leads the development of an innovative AI sales agent, helping B2B manufacturers overcome labor shortages and efficiently expand their businesses through automated client matching.

    Growth Mindset: The Role of Interns in AI Startups

    From student to building a career across a trading company, Recruit, and an IT startup, Joe Kitamura’s journey taught him that real innovation relies on a human spark. Now leading AI startup Milly, Joe pulls back the curtain on working alongside interns, sharing candid lessons on how early-career talent drives early-stage growth and what students need to make a genuine impact.

    Amonrada builds for the builders. She believes everyone deserves something to call their own. Through Signary and Athipatai, she shapes the story, the brand, and the product until a dream becomes real.

    Originally from Thailand, Poom is a third-year engineering student at Tohoku University in Sendai. Driven by a curiosity for new things and today's fast-changing AI landscape, he is deeply interested in how people adapt and learn new skills to stay current. Outside of studies, he enjoys singing, music, traveling, and documenting his personal growth.

    Ready to Grow, Searching for the Right Door

    I wanna share my perspective as an international student who feels ready to grow and contribute, but still faces uncertainty about how to enter the job market, show potential clearly, and find the right environment where students, AI-assisted learning, and real feedback can turn into meaningful work.

  4. Open-Mic Q&A

    An open floor for anyone to ask questions or share insights.

  5. Short Break

    Transition to your chosen roundtable topic.

  6. Roundtable Discussions

    Focused, small-group topic-driven discussions.

  7. Wrap-Up & Group Photo

    Key takeaways and closing remarks.

  8. Open Networking

    Casual conversation to build connection and explore collaborations.

Registration

Registration and Deadline
Registration
Complete the registration form on the alliz website. Successful registrations will receive a Google Calendar invitation.
Deadline

Provide real-name identification. Submitting false information may lead to the rejection of your registration.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel your registration, follow the instructions provided in your registration confirmation email by Thursday, August 27.
TIB Membership
Please download the TIB app, register as a member, and obtain your QR Code for entry.
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Host and Collaborators

Host

alliz

https://alliz.jp

alliz is a member-led career mentorship community dedicated to helping students and early-career professionals with career design and development in Japan. Through events, mentorship, and shared learning, we foster connections that inspire personal growth, skill development, and long-term success in the tech industry.

Collaborator

Tokyo Innovation Base

https://tib.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/

Tokyo Innovation Base aims to be a global node of innovation. It is a place where diverse individuals connect and support innovators who will advance society with their groundbreaking ideas and technologies. Tokyo Innovation Base aspires to be the world’s most startup-friendly location, initiating a new wave of innovation.

Collaborator

E’s eye Photography

https://linktr.ee/Estelle_eseye

Originally from Bordeaux and based in Japan for over fourteen years, Estelle Caboblanco found in photography an intuitive form of expression. Through E’s eye, she captures her perspective, preserving meaningful moments with sensitivity and intention.

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