Podcast Episodes

The surprising future of Japan’s new robot companions

Season 1 Episode 219

Japan thinks about robotics and AI differently that the West. In addition to their functional, productive role, a lot of thought is also given to ou…

1 year, 9 months ago

How VCs drive (and murder) global startup ambition in Japan

Episode 218

What keeps Japanese startups stuck in Japan? It's not a lack of opportunity or ambition. It's not a lack of knowledge or talent. In fact, one of Jap…

1 year, 10 months ago

Big News from Disrupting Japan!

There is important news for Disrupting Japan this week. It's a very short episode because I just want to let you know what's coming, and to thank yo…

1 year, 10 months ago

How to sell innovation in cut-throat, low-margin industries

Episode 216

Some industries need to be dragged kicking and screaming to innovation. When margins are tight and profits are small, CEOs often don't want to spend…

1 year, 11 months ago

Startups need to think global, but you need to beware of being global

Season 1 Episode 215

Japanese HR departments are in a bit of a panic right now. The increasing job mobility that startups have unleashed is forcing them to rethink their…

1 year, 11 months ago

What today’s headlines don’t tell you about Fusion Energy

Episode 214

Fusion energy promises almost unlimited, inexpensive, clean energy. That's a pretty big promise. Today we sit down with Satoshi Konishi, co-founder…

2 years ago

One soil startup’s unusual and risky scaling secret

Episode 213

Most sustainability startups struggle to find sustainable business models Towing, however, has found their solution, and their customers are seeing …

2 years, 1 month ago

What you need to know to sell to schools in Japan

Episode 212

Everyone agrees that the Japanese education system needs to be modernized, but EdTech startups still face an uphill battle in Japan. Of course, acad…

2 years, 2 months ago

AI’s new game-changing role in decoding mountains of EKGs

Episode 211

The medical industry is one of the most challenging areas for startups to succeed in. "Move fast and break things" just doesn't work in medicine.  S…

2 years, 3 months ago

What it takes to teach Japan Inc how to code

Episode 210

Japan wants to learn how to code. Over the past 15 years software development in Japan has changed from low-level clerical work to a mission-critica…

2 years, 4 months ago