Does Your Startup Ecosystem Lack Warmth or Does It Actually Have a Pulse?
Mine is warm and humming.
Tokyo women in action: Sasha Lee Seals, myself, Katie Marple, and Mari Ono.
Reflecting on the energy in Tokyo this past Thursday at Venture Café’s Global Gathering, it’s clear that the era of transactional, "what-can-you-do-for-me" networking is dying, if not officially dead. And as a community oriented person, I’m not sad to see it go. If we aren't leading with community, we’re just moving deck chairs on a corporate ship. Innovation doesn't start with a pitch deck or a term sheet; it starts with a person.
From Transactions to Transitions
I was struck by the depth of the conversations I had. They touched on:
The raw reality of overwhelm in a high-speed world.
The delicate art of facilitation and how it takes more than a single training to create real change.
The complexities of investing in a new home country while navigating the headwinds of rising populism.
The impact the quality of our intimate relationships have on our careers.
The way to communicate the importance of supporting women in the ecosystem. Do we frame it as a women’s issue, or a systems issue?
These aren't "networking topics." These are human topics.
Group photo of everyone who made it till the end.
Warmth, Sunlight, and Durability
The biggest takeaway? We are not alone. An ecosystem is just a fancy word for a community that needs nurturing. It requires warmth and sunlight to grow, but it also requires us to protect our internal batteries. I often joke that my official title should be “Chief Warmth Officer” because I’m so stubborn about this.
I work with creators, builders, and shapers—the people who are literally designing our future. For that work to be sustainable, we need to focus on durability. It’s not just about surviving the week or making it to the next round; it’s about ensuring we have the energy to stay in the arena for the long haul.
See You in April
If you missed the Global Gathering, or if you’re just looking for that specific "warmth" in your professional life, come join us for the next big milestone.
📅 Save the Date: April 16 We’ll be gathering again to keep these conversations moving, this time centered around women in our living ecosystems. Rui Nagamori and I will be hosting at Venture Café, so let’s make it a full house!
