What happens when hundreds of innovators come together in one place? Ideas accelerate, connections deepen, and collective impact takes shape.
CIC was proud to sponsor the Venture Café Global Gathering 2026 in Tokyo, convening startup founders, investors, government partners, and ecosystem builders from around the world. Leaders from CIC contributed to conversations on how we design and scale innovation ecosystems that drive real-world impact.
Experience the event by watching the recording of our founder Tim Rowe’s session below, or continue reading for more highlights.
Highlights from the Gathering
Designing the Innovation Stack for Global Impact
Timothy Rowe, Founder & Executive Chair of CIC, joined leaders from STATION F and the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) to explore how intentional ecosystem design can unlock global innovation. The conversation emphasized the importance of infrastructure, collaboration, and long-term thinking in building environments where ideas can thrive.
Watch the full recording to hear Tim’s perspective and insights from fellow global leaders.
Building Innovation Ecosystems Across Borders
Víctor Mulas, Chief Innovation Officer and President of CIC Catalyst, shared insights on fostering cross-border collaboration between Japan and Europe. The discussion highlighted the role of partnerships, cultural exchange, and shared ambition in strengthening global innovation networks.
Supporting the Next Generation of Innovators
Tak Umezawa, Chairperson of CIC Japan, served as a judge for the Pitch2Tokyo competition, helping spotlight emerging founders and bold ideas shaping the future.
Extending the Experience Beyond the Event
For more than 25 years, CIC has built and operated innovation campuses around the world. These spaces are designed to bring people together, spark collaboration, and help ideas move forward.
Across our global network, founders, creatives, and innovators work side by side. Conversations turn into partnerships, and community is part of the environment. In many ways, stepping into a CIC location feels like an extension of the Venture Café experience: dynamic, welcoming, and full of opportunity to connect.
If you’re inspired by the energy and ideas from Global Gathering, we invite you to schedule a tour of a CIC location near you to see how you can be part of this community.
