We are excited to announce the participants for the 90-Day Kyoto Stay Program and the commencement of our Pre-Program Support!

Following a thorough and impartial evaluation, the following individuals have been selected as participants for this year’s programme!

■Meet Our Participants

Name：Tobias Mathiasen

From：Sweden
Title：COO of Katalysen Ventures

Profile：
Two themes have defined Tobias’ journey: startups and global vision. A high-school attempt—and failure—to use the first smartphones to build a digital marketplace for emerging markets sparked a curiosity that led him to study global business in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Taiwan. Combining financial tools with a builder’s mindset, he has built significant experience in early-stage startups and funding.

In Dublin’s vibrant tech scene, Tobias helped founders and investors position startups for maximum value. In Hong Kong’s financial sector, he guided international entrepreneurs in raising capital from Chinese investors. From Stockholm and Geneva, he spent five years as COO of Katalysen Ventures, investing into Nordic early-stage innovation.

Since 2022, Tobias has increasingly focused on Japan’s startup ecosystem, with a particular emphasis on Kansai and the region’s proven ability to produce world-class innovation. Today, he continues to support Katalysen Ventures as Venture Partner while based in Japan, exploring what matters most to him: helping Japanese founders and investors think more globally.

More info → https://www.felage.com/about

Please contact us if you are interested in communicating with Tobias!
Email: hila.yamada@glocalcenter.jp

■Pre-Program Support Overview

To ensure a smooth transition and productive experience for all the participants, we are currently on a process of providing Pre-Program Supportwhich includes:

• Assisting with accommodation arrangements during the program period
• Visa acquisition support
• Introduction to Japanese language schools
• Co-working space arrangements
• Providing basic online orientation videos covering Kyoto’s international entrepreneur ecosystem, Japanese culture, and business etiquette

We are committed to creating a welcoming and resourceful environment for all participants and look forward to seeing their projects flourish during their stay in Kyoto!