[Online Event on 7/23 (Thu)] VCs Speak Out: "Seed Bootstrapping with AI Without VC Financing" ~How to Build a Business in the AI-Native Era~

Protostar Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hidemaro Maekawa), whose mission is to support challengers, will hold a seminar for startup entrepreneurs titled "VCs Speak Out: Seed Bootstrapping with AI Without VC Financing ~How to Build a Business in the AI-Native Era~" on July 23, 2026 (Thu).

▽ Apply here

https://peatix.com/event/5062941

Background and Purpose of the Seminar

Many people considering starting a business tend to believe that "fundraising comes first." However, in the AI-native era, an environment is emerging where one can launch and operate a business even alone.

Instead of raising a large amount of capital before starting, the approach of using AI to quickly test ideas on a small scale and grow the business with one's own hands is becoming a realistic option.

This seminar will feature Yusuke Kurishima (HAKOBUNE Inc.), a seed investor who also practices AI operations himself. He will speak from the perspective of a VC about the concept of seed bootstrapping without relying on VC financing and how to build a business centered around AI.

What You Will Gain from This Seminar

Mindset for launching and operating a business alone in the AI-native era

How to build a business that you can control, without relying on large-scale fundraising

From an investor's perspective, the difference between businesses that will grow and those that won't

Practical steps from idea validation using AI to operation

Speaker Introduction

Yusuke Kurishima | Founding Partner, HAKOBUNE Inc.

Event Overview

Date and Time: July 23, 2026 (Thu) 18:30 - 19:30

Format: Online (Zoom)

Participation Fee: Free

Capacity: Approximately 20 people

▽ Inquiries about fundraising here

https://www.startuplist.jp/

Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Event

Protostar Inc.

Kigyolog Business Division

[email protected]

About Protostar Inc.

With a focus on supporting challengers, Protostar Inc. offers a diverse range of services, including "StartupList," one of Japan's largest matching services for entrepreneurs and investors, and "JP STARTUPS," a media outlet that introduces and supports startups originating in Japan.

In addition to alliance business that promotes co-creation and acceleration with startups, mainly for large corporations, and existing businesses such as "Kigyolog," Japan's largest media for entrepreneur support, the company recently launched "Startup M&A" to support M&A as a growth and exit strategy for startups.

We have established a system to broadly support "challengers."

Location: Nihonbashi Tomizawa-cho Building 501, 9-4 Nihonbashi Tomizawa-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0006

Capital: 89,098,750 yen

Date of Establishment: November 30, 2016

URL: https://www.theprotostar.co/

Participating Organizations:

- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) J-Startup Supporters

- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Kyushu Bureau J-Startup KYUSHU

- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tokyo Innovation Base Starting Member

- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tokyo Innovation Base Partner

- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs Incubation HUB Promotion Project FY2016 Adopted Project

- Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation (SMRJ) Startup Angel Collaboration Promotion Council (SAN) Member

- Tsukuba Startup Ecosystem Consortium Regular Member

- Diagonal Run Tokyo OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

- Japan Venture Capital Association Supporting Member