On February 13, Shibuya Ward announced the launch of the Shibuya Startups Corporation, in collaboration with Tokyu Corporation, Tokyu Land Corporation, and GMO Internet Group, with a fund of 170 million yen.

The company will promote startup development programs, consulting, and other startup support, with the aim of creating and nurturing an international startup community, as part of Shibuya’s Innovation for New Normal from Shibuya project. The project is a recent initiative to develop a collaborative environment between the public and private sectors in order to grow the startup ecosystem in Shibuya.

Shiho Watanabe steps in as president and representative director, bringing her wealth of experience working for global companies and serving as an advisor to many startups both in Japan and abroad.