We are pleased to announce Meetup #5: Business Idea Brush-up Session, an interactive pitching session to refine early-stage business ideas.

This session will focus on sharpening initial business concepts, clarifying value propositions, and improving pitch communication through expert input and hands-on mentoring.
Participants will receive feedback from experienced professionals with backgrounds in venture capital, strategy, and innovation, gaining practical insights into how ideas are viewed and evaluated in real-world startup and business contexts.

Whether you already have a rough idea or are just starting to shape one, this session offers a supportive environment to deepen your thinking, exchange perspectives with others, and take your ideas to the next step.
 

－ Event Details －

• Date & Time: 18:00 – 20:30, February 2 (Mon)

• Venue: Room5C, 5^th Floor , PARM-CITY131
  （PARM-CITY131 rental conference room, 3-1-16 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0811）

• Format: On-site participation *Online parcitipation is also possible

• Language: English

• Fee: Free
• ​Participants：Both Japanese and Foreign residents in Sendai

• Organizer: SENDAI Global Lounge (City of Sendai)

• Partner: Hult Prize Tohoku University Organizing Committee

• Operated by: Tohoku University Knowledge Cast

•  Program *There is a possibility of change in plan. :

　
【18:00–18:40】Introduction Speech from Mentors
・Mentors:
　- Dr. Trishit Banerjee: (Manager and Market Researcher, Futaba Area Tourism Research Association (F-ATRAs))
　- Mr. Sean Chiang: (CEO, Water Mirror, Inc., Japan)

【18:40–20:25】Business Idea Mentoring Session
・Time allocation per team:
　- Pitch: 4 min/ Q&A: 4 min/ Feedback: 2 min 

【20:30】Closing

• Notes on Pitch Application & Preparation

※If we exceed capacity, we will conduct a screening and notify applicants of the results by the Jan 28th.
※Each team or individual is required to prepare pitch slides (a pitch deck) in advance.
※Please bring your pitch slides on your own PC on the event day.
※Please contact us via our contact form if you have any questions regarding pitch preparation.

－ Guest Mentors－

Dr. Trishit Banerjee, Manager and Market Researcher, Futaba Area Tourism Research Association (F-ATRAs)
Dr. Trishit completed his PhD in Chemistry at Tohoku University in September 2024. He is currently a Manager and Market Researcher at the Futaba Area Tourism Research Association (F-ATRAs) in coastal Fukushima, where he plans and operates tours aimed at revitalizing the Hamadori region affected by the 2011 disaster. Since his university days, he has been involved in Tohoku’s recovery efforts, including serving as a tourism ambassador for Sendai Television and contributing to newspapers such as The Japan Times.

Mr. Sean Chiang, CEO, Water Mirror, Inc., Japan
Mr. Sean Chiang currently runs a consulting firm specializing in investment and M&A projects. Previously, he served as VP of Finance at STYLY, Inc., where he led fundraising and investor relations, and as Senior Investment Manager at Huawei, where he built Japan’s investment team and invested in startups and VC funds. Earlier, at Foxconn, he was involved in deal sourcing, valuation, execution, and IR, and worked on corporate acquisitions in a Japan-based joint venture. He also worked as an Industry Research Analyst at Taiwan’s government think tank MIC.


－ This event is open to the following people  －
Foreign residents in Sendai, International students, Japanese students/residents in Sendai
‐ Those who are interested in entrepreneurship (Even if you are not sure!).
‐ Those who want to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and engage in creating new ideas.
‐ Those who are considering working at Sendai, wish to continue living in Sendai, or simply love Tohoku and Sendai.

－ What is “SENDAI Global Lounge”?? －
SENDAI Global Lounge, we are working to create an attractive entrepreneurial environment for international students and foreign residents, with the aim of contributing to the emergence of foreign entrepreneurs residing in Japan. Our efforts not only foster the creation and growth of foreign entrepreneurs but also focus on building a foundation that supports beneficial and sustainable development for society as a whole.