Who we are

Tokyo Unicorn Summit (TUS) is a global event platform that connects founders, investors, and policy leaders from across Asia. It brings together unicorns, pre-unicorns, and startups from countries such as Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, creating a space where they can meet and collaborate across borders.

The United States and China are the two dominant hubs of the global startup ecosystem, having produced hundreds of unicorns. In contrast, individual Asian countries still have relatively few unicorns, and it is hard to say that Asia yet functions as a single, integrated ecosystem. TUS’s ambition is to help leading startup CxOs across Asia get to know one another, work together, and build an Asian startup ecosystem that stands alongside the US and China.

In Tokyo, the flagship Tokyo Unicorn Summit event, which shares the same name as the platform, is held every year between April and May, and we also organize startup networking events and talks in cities such as Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei. In Tokyo, we additionally host side events including Startup’s Run, a half-marathon–style running event.

Tokyo Unicorn Summit is a closed, invitation-only networking platform exclusively for CxOs. At Tokyo Unicorn Summit 2025, held in May 2025 at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo, CxOs from 15 unicorns, 30 pre-unicorns, and 30–40 Series B+ startups joined us from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Including VCs and policy leaders from around the region, a total of about 250 people took part.

This “Invitation-only, CxO-only” principle is designed to foster dense, high-trust networking that can spark unexpected synergies. By enabling startup decision-makers to exchange information freely and explore new paths for collaboration, TUS aims to open up a new future for Asia’s startup landscape.

The roots of Tokyo Unicorn Summit (TUS) go back to the Tokyo Startup Forum held at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan in 2023. Tokyo Startup Forum 2023 began as an information-sharing and networking event for Korean startups expanding into Japan, where around 40 Korean startup CxOs met with Japanese unicorns and venture capital players. In 2024, we hosted Tokyo Startup Forum 2024 at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo. By 2025, the Tokyo Startup Forum had evolved into a broader platform connecting startups across Asia.

TUS 2025 was co-hosted by Chosun Ilbo, Korea Startup Forum, and Startup Island Taiwan, with on-the-ground operations handled by the TUS Executive Committee and Secretariat. In October 2025, TOKYO UNICORN SUMMIT, G.I.A. established a non-profit organization under the same name, which now serves as the operating body for all related events.

Mission & Vision

We accelerate regional innovation capabilities and support growth through cooperation among unicorns and high-growth startups across Asia.

What We Do

1. Annual Event (Annual Summit, Tokyo)
Held every May at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo, this main event is a premier platform for Asian startup ecosystem exchange, attracting approximately 100 CEOs of unicorn and high-growth startups, investors, and government officials from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.

2. Asia Founders’ Network
This is a year-round operational network comprising summit participants and partners. It supports practical collaboration, including joint business development, M&A cooperation, and new market entry.

3. Regional Dialogues & Workshops

These are smaller sessions held in cities such as Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo that cover topics including IPO strategy, cross-border collaboration, and ESG/Impact Business.

Co-Hosts TUS 2025

The Chosun Ilbo, Korea Startup Forum, Startup Island TAIWAN

TOKYO UNICORN SUMMIT, G.I.A.

R³aoyama 3F, 1-3-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan／Date of Establishment: October 15, 2025

Representative Director: Natsumi Misawa

TUS 2025 Executive Committee

Hochul Sung (Chief of Tokyo Bureau, The Chosun Ilbo), Sangwook Lim (Asia Pacific General Manager, Xenon Partners), Donghun Cwak (Principal, DG Daiwa Ventures), Sangwoo Han (Chairman, Korea Startup Forum), Allen John Ku (Director, Startup Island TAIWAN)

Contact

Tokyo Unicorn Summit Secretariat

R³aoyama 3F, 1-3-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan

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