Go Global Hub #2 Cross-Border Startup Match Salon
Join Heather Dobbin at a powerful startup pitch event in Tokyo designed to spark collaboration across borders. Taking place on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Plug and Play Japan’s Playground venue in Shibuya…
The Magnetic Startup (HerRise Program Community Event)
Getting people to pay attention is arguably one of the hardest challenges every young business faces.
The Magnetic approach will help you…
Stop the scroll and turn heads
Click with the right people
Get them to give you a chance
Make them stick around
HerRise Step 4: Investor Readiness
HerRise is a highly practical, action-driven program designed for women entrepreneurs and startup founders looking to expand into Japan and beyond. This is not just about gaining knowledge—it's about learning by doing, and immediately applying it to your business.
On Wednesday, November 26, we will hold the 4th session of our ongoing program. In addition to the Open Hour where participants can bring their own challenges, we will host a workshop themed “Investor Readiness: The Mindset for Engaging with Investors and How to Refine Your Pitch.”
In this workshop, participants will learn:
The fundamental concepts and mindset of entrepreneurs and investment
How to meet investors and deliver an effective pitch
Key points entrepreneurs should know when raising investment
Live pitch sessions (1–2 startups)
Feedback sessions of about 5–10 minutes for each company
Through a combination of lectures and workshops, participants will gain both theoretical and practical skills in investor engagement and pitching. By the end of the session, participants will have developed the mindset and basic skills to confidently pitch their own company to investors.
Speakers
Kazuhide Hashida
Born in Tokyo in 1983. Graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Tokyo University of Science in 2007, and joined NTT Data Corporation. After working as an engineer at Uluru Co., Ltd., he founded Hot Startup Inc. (now Peraichi Inc.) in 2014 and served as CEO. He stepped down from all positions in April 2023 and founded BOOT Inc., an organization supporting startups. He operates Shibuya Startup Oasis, a free community space for startups located five minutes from Shibuya Station. As an angel investor, he has invested in 77 startups between 2022 and 2024. In 2024, he established OASIS FUND, a VC supporting startups from inception.
Mariko Yazawa
A venture capitalist with extensive expertise in supporting startups and early-stage investments both in Japan and abroad. After working at an international investment bank and a major domestic VC, she founded Yazawa Ventures, focusing on innovative technology and social impact startups. She specializes in building fundraising strategies, supporting growth strategies, and assisting global expansion. She is particularly committed to supporting women entrepreneurs and those from diverse backgrounds, striving to foster entrepreneurs who create new social value. Guided by the belief of “walking the first step together with entrepreneurs who dare to challenge,” she provides comprehensive support not only in funding but also in networking, talent strategy, and management.
【Event schedule】
9:00–17:00 Office hours with professionals. Get individualized mentorship, coaching, and support from various experts on a variety of themes.
18:30–20:30 Main Workshop (In-person)
20:30–21:00 Networking (optional)
〈Office hours with professionals〉
Core MentorsMoeko Suzuki (President, Startup Lady Association)
Assists women founders in Japan with startup basics, company registration, and business model development.Heather Dobbin (Founder, HD Coaching)
Guides entrepreneurs to develop a sustainable leadership mindset and clear sense of purpose.Yoshifumi Hoshino (Representative Director, Taylor Innovations Inc.)
Provides practical, Japan-language mentorship on startup philosophy, sales, and team structure.Kazumasa Ito
Offers comprehensive support from business fundamentals to finance, technology, and daily operations.Guillame Hansali (Founder & Country Manager, Wizcorp)
Supports the entire entrepreneurial journey from founding to acquisition, including organizational management, culture, strategy, leadership, and executive coaching.
Guest MentorsHelen Iwata (Sasuga Communications K. K., President, Representative Director)
Supports women professionals to transform mindsets and develop practical skills that improve work results, relationships, confidence, and well-being.
Joe Hüg (Entrepreneur | Bootstrap founder | Academic/"Professor of Practice" | Angel Investor)
Mentors founders on lean growth, customer discovery, and Japan market entry—offering strategic insights, warm introductions, and practical guidance backed by 20+ years in healthcare, education, and SME research.
Moshimo Mindfulness Third Session
Some weeks feel like a blur—constant motion, background noise, no real pause. By the time Friday arrives, we’ve often run out of attention for ourselves. That’s why I’m holding space again on Friday, October 17th, for our third Moshimo Mindfulness session at Moshimo Space Hayama.
Moshimo Mindfulness Second Session
I’ve come to see how easily our thoughts slip into the spiral of what ifs—What if I say the wrong thing? What if I fall behind? Before the sun is even fully up, our minds can already be racing.
Moshimo Mindfulness First Session
I’ve spent a lot of time noticing how our minds tend to spiral into what ifs—What if I mess up? What if I’m not enough? These questions can stir up stress, doubt, and disconnection before our day even begins.
Mindfulness Hike and Picnic With She Loves
Join us for a peaceful, women-only mindfulness hike designed for reflection, connection, and clarity.
Why Join?
✨ Feeling overwhelmed by work or life? Step away from the stress and into nature. This guided mindfulness hike offers a refreshing reset in the fresh air.
✨ Need clarity or a mindset shift? We’re already halfway through the year — it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and realign your energy and priorities.
✨ Craving meaningful connection? Spend a few nourishing hours in the company of like-minded women in a supportive, judgment-free space.
What to Expect
🌿 The Hike
A two-hour, medium-intensity hike led by facilitator Heather Dobbin, who will guide you through gentle mindfulness practices as we walk through nature’s beauty.
🧺 The Picnic
Bring your own lunch for a relaxed outdoor picnic. During this time, facilitator Katie Marple will guide a reflective conversation circle focused on clarity, intention, and self-connection.
Schedule
10:30 AM – Meet at Zushi Station
Take the bus to Morito Kaigan Station
Hike to Ajisai Koen
Visit Morito Shrine
Stroll along the beach
Picnic Lunch
~3:30 PM – Disband at Zushi Station
**Timings are subject to change**
**In the case of bad weather, the event may be cancelled**
About the Facilitators
Heather Dobbin is an ICF-certified coach, educator, and facilitator with over 15 years of experience helping individuals align their actions with their dreams. Her approach blends somatic work, cognitive-behavioral techniques, hormone cycle awareness, and mindfulness. She believes self-compassion is the foundation for transformative leadership and meaningful relationships.
Katie Marple is a compassionate communication expert and founder of She Loves, a vibrant community that empowers women through leadership development, networking, and personal growth. With a deep belief in authentic connection and the power of collective support, Katie helps individuals and teams communicate with empathy, confidence, and clarity. Her motto: Strong women. Stronger together.
Important Notes
📸 Photos and videos will be taken during the event. If you prefer not to appear in the media, please let the facilitators know.
🥪 Light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch for the picnic.
🚊Train tickets are not included
🌈 This is a women-only event and a safe, inclusive space.
Ticket fees
3,200 JPY (regular)
2,000 JPY (student, requires approval)
Shed & Rise New Year’s Transformation Retreat
The Theme for 2025: Year of the Snake
The snake symbolizes wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation—a perfect foundation for shedding the old and stepping into a year of growth, clarity, and purpose.
This retreat is designed for individuals who are ready to make a meaningful change in 2025. Whether you’re shifting careers, launching a new project, or simply seeking greater alignment in your life, this day-long retreat will provide the tools, insights, and community to help you set the tone for the year ahead.
Grow Your Impact: A Generativity Experience
This full-day experience is crafted around the idea of generativity, which the psychologist Erik Erikson defined as “a concern for establishing and guiding the next generation.” While Erikson believed that this was something that happened in midlife, anyone can tap into generativity at any point in their adult lives, and it’s a topic that’s more important than it’s ever been before. For everyone, but especially for leaders. In this full-day We’ll time travel to the end of our lives and take a look back. We’ll explore our Ikigai, often translated as your purpose or reason for living. We’ll do a “social energy audit” to have a look at the influences that your community has on your ability to give. We’ll help you “find your impact” so that you can decide when and where to invest your time and energy. And finally we’ll wrap it up with a session on self-care, because in order to give to others we must be well ourselves.
Aligned, Energized, and Clear in 2024- Half-Day Experience
Do you remember your 2023 resolutions? How did they turn out for you? How are things in your life as 2023 comes to a close and we look ahead to 2024? What do you want them to be like at the end of next year?
Join us for this intimate, in-person experience as we explore these questions deeply using simple yet powerful exercises and techniques. Gain clarity on your direction for the year, and give yourself the best conditions for a stellar and and energizing 2024. We can’t always predict what will come to us in the span of a year, but we can decide how we want to be and where we want to give our focus and care. Let’s come together and commit to being intentional about how we are in this next year.
In this session we’ll be exploring:
knowing what is truly important to you and prioritizing your time and energy
creating intentions and goals for yourself & breaking things down into actionable steps
learning the secret of tracking progress in a way that helps you stay motivated
blockers and obstacles that get in the way of the life you want to lead
utilizing body-based awareness techniques to stay connected to possibility and peace
And we’ll be wrapping it all up with a powerful group visualization exercise.
Details
10 spots available
In-person in Tokyo (to be updated when exact location is confirmed)
Healthy, vegan- and vegetarian-friendly lunch included
All workshop materials included in print & available for download after the sessions are complete
Participation fee $140 per person
What to bring— your favorite pen, something to take notes on if you prefer to use something other than the materials provided
Register here. Let’s make 2024 a transformative year for you and those around you!
(Workshop) Imposter Feelings & Entrepreneurship- How to redefine your relationship with this common blocker @Google For Startups, Shibuya
Imposter anxiety is one of the most common and troublesome career obstacles and a regular unwanted companion for many of us. But does the experience of imposter anxiety have to be purely negative, or does it have something to teach us?
In this session you’ll learn:
- Ways in which imposter anxiety can be a signifier of the presence of positive aspects in life, and a useful teacher
- A simple, accessible practice that builds the ability to move away from fear-based motivators towards more helpful ones
- Linguistic and cognitive techniques to shift your beliefs about yourself and your potential and to allow you to challenge yourself in your business, project, and life
This session is open to all career levels— freelancers, creatives, and future entrepreneurs are most welcome!
6:30 Doors open
7:00 Session start
8:00 Session wrap up, networking start
8:30 Networking wrap up
*This workshop will be run in English*
Please make sure to RSVP to this event page:)
This session is free of charge to all Startup Lady community members. There will be 30 minutes of casual networking before & after the event.
Hosted by Google for Startups, run by Startup Lady & Heather Dobbin
Tokyo Mindfulness Collaboration Workshop: How to Tap into Your Nervous System for Inner Joy and Harmony @Brighton Yoga Studio, Daikanyama
Do you still find yourself stressed and ungrounded after doing all the "right" things like meditation, yoga, exercise, good sleep and nutrition? If you do, then the missing key could be to regulate your nervous system.
In our daily lives we can often find ourselves out of balance- anxious, angry, irritated, exhausted, reactive— the list goes on and on. Luckily for all of us, there are easily accessible ways to bring yourself into a state of calm awareness— allowing you to live a life that is balanced, more joyful, and deeply satisfying.
Join Misha and Heather for an exploration of how to leverage inner resources through meditation and intentional engagement with your nervous system through “glimmers” to start living, loving, and working in a more fulfilling way, one mindful moment at a time. This will be in our usual spot in Brighton Daikanyama!
What are glimmers?
Glimmers are small, accessible, external cues to bring our nervous system back into a state of safety, connection, and joy. What is a glimmer for you may be different from that of another person, so it’s our aim in this workshop to help you understand the different states of your nervous system, notice when you’re out of balance, and find your own glimmers.
Schedule:
Part 1- Meditation Session with Misha
Part 2- “Glimmer” workshop with Heather
Part 3- Group sharing + debrief + hot tea
Price: 1,000 yen
Learning From The Failures Of Successful Women
As a member of the Less Effort, More Impact Movement, I’ll be moderating what is sure to be a fascinating, raw, and authentic conversation about failure between three successful women in business. We still have spots open for this in-person event at the French Chamber of Commerce— please join us! More details here.