[IVS2026] IPO x M&A Frontier: Changes and Strategies from 2025 to 2026, Held in Kyoto on July 1st (Wed)
Strike Co., Ltd. and East Ventures will jointly host an official side event for "IVS2026," Japan's largest startup conference, titled "IPO x M&A Frontier: Changes and Strategies from 2025 to 2026," on July 1st, 2026, in Kyoto. This event will feature leading practitioners from auditing firms, VCs, and M&A intermediaries discussing the latest trends and strategies in IPO and M&A during this transitional period for the startup market, marked by changes in listing maintenance criteria. It is a must-attend for entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 10:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 10:31 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (54h 21m after Collected)
Strike Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kazuya Kaneda) will co-host an official side event for "IVS2026," Japan's largest startup conference, with East Ventures, an independent venture capital firm, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
IPO x M&A Frontier: Changes and Strategies from 2025 to 2026
The startup market is at a major turning point, with changes such as the revision of listing maintenance criteria. This event will bring together leading practitioners from "auditing firms," "VCs," and "M&A intermediaries" who support the ecosystem for an in-depth discussion exclusive to this occasion. It is a unique session that goes beyond superficial trend analysis to delve into the real behind-the-scenes happenings on the front lines from three distinct perspectives. This is essential content for entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters looking to summarize the market trends of the past year and map out their next growth strategies.
Details and Registration Here
■ Event Overview
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 18:00-20:00 (Doors open at 17:30)
Venue: Hulic Hall Kyoto
(310-2 Bizenjima-cho, Takoyakushi-dori Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Rissei Garden Hulic Kyoto 1F)
Organizers: East Ventures, Strike Co., Ltd.
Participation Fee: Free
Details and Registration Method:
Advance registration is required to attend the event.
Please apply through "4S," the official IVS platform:
https://4s.link/ja/ivs_sideevent_ma-ipo
※Notes on Participation※
Participation in this event generally requires an IVS2026 ticket (any of IVS PASS / IVS PASS STUDENT / CORE PASS / CORE PASS Startup). Please purchase your ticket here.
【Contact Information】
Strike Co., Ltd. Innovation Support Office
Mail: info-slab@strike.co.jp
■ Schedule
17:30～ Doors Open / Registration Starts
18:00～ Introduction
18:05～ Panel Discussion "Review of IPO and M&A Over the Past Year"
19:05～ Networking (Drinks and light snacks will be provided)
20:00 Closing
■ Speaker Introduction
Sen Fujiwara, CPA, Partner, IPO Group Head, EY ShinNihon LLC
Sen Fujiwara, CPA, Partner, IPO Group Head, EY ShinNihon LLC
For over 30 years since joining the firm, he has been involved in IPO (Initial Public Offering) and startup support in diverse industries such as manufacturing, food service, IT, and entertainment, alongside accounting audits for listed companies. He was involved in the IPOs of three companies in 2019 and three in 2022, and in December 2022, he was involved in the IPOs of three companies in three consecutive business days as the accounting auditor. He focuses on sharing knowledge about IPOs through speaking engagements at major startup events like the Corporate Growth Summit and IVS, as well as through YouTube content and writing.
He has served as a Director of the Japan Association of Healthcare Ventures (current), an Advisor for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Healthcare Innovation Hub" (current), a judge for the METI "Japan Healthcare Business Contest," a committee member for research and development projects by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and METI, and a member of the Impact IPO Working Group, engaging in projects with social impact.
Takeshi Kaneko, Partner, East Ventures
Takeshi Kaneko, Partner, East Ventures
During his university years, he interned at Skyland Ventures. In 2014, he joined JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. as a new graduate. Subsequently, he became a Partner at East Ventures, an independent VC specializing in seed-stage investments. At East Ventures, he executes seed investments in dozens of IT startups founded by young entrepreneurs annually, regardless of industry or business model. In June 2024, he jointly opened "Hive Kyoto" with Strike, an office aimed at supporting startups in Kyoto's Shijo Karasuma area.
Kunihiko Arai, President and CEO, Strike Group Co., Ltd.
Kunihiko Arai, President and CEO, Strike Group Co., Ltd.
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1970, graduated from Hitotsubashi University, Faculty of Commerce. Joined Ohta Showa Audit Corporation (now EY ShinNihon LLC). After gaining experience in financial due diligence and IPO support, he established Strike Co., Ltd. (now Strike Group Co., Ltd.) in 1997. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in June 2016 and moved to the First Section (now Prime Market) in June of the following year. In recent years, he has been involved not only in succession-type M&A but also in M&A for startups and for improving productivity.
Details and Registration Here
※This event is an official side event of IVS2026.
[Approval Number] 2359691192
Strike Co., Ltd.
Strike Co., Ltd.
Shareholder: Strike Group Co., Ltd. (Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime, Securities Code 6196)
Head Office: 15F, Mitsui Bussan Building, 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Kyoto Innovation Office: 5F, Dai 15 Hase Building, 688 Takara-cho, Karasuma-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
(This office aims to foster innovation by serving as a hub for students and young entrepreneurs, and as a nexus between startups and established companies.)
Representative: Kazuya Kaneda, President and CEO
Established: October 2025 (Founded July 1997)
Business Activities: M&A Brokerage
Phone: 03-6848-0101
URL: https://www.strike.co.jp/
Keywords:
IPO x M&A Frontier: Changes and Strategies from 2025 to 2026
The startup market is at a major turning point, with changes such as the revision of listing maintenance criteria. This event will bring together leading practitioners from "auditing firms," "VCs," and "M&A intermediaries" who support the ecosystem for an in-depth discussion exclusive to this occasion. It is a unique session that goes beyond superficial trend analysis to delve into the real behind-the-scenes happenings on the front lines from three distinct perspectives. This is essential content for entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters looking to summarize the market trends of the past year and map out their next growth strategies.
Details and Registration Here
■ Event Overview
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 18:00-20:00 (Doors open at 17:30)
Venue: Hulic Hall Kyoto
(310-2 Bizenjima-cho, Takoyakushi-dori Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Rissei Garden Hulic Kyoto 1F)
Organizers: East Ventures, Strike Co., Ltd.
Participation Fee: Free
Details and Registration Method:
Advance registration is required to attend the event.
Please apply through "4S," the official IVS platform:
https://4s.link/ja/ivs_sideevent_ma-ipo
※Notes on Participation※
Participation in this event generally requires an IVS2026 ticket (any of IVS PASS / IVS PASS STUDENT / CORE PASS / CORE PASS Startup). Please purchase your ticket here.
【Contact Information】
Strike Co., Ltd. Innovation Support Office
Mail: info-slab@strike.co.jp
■ Schedule
17:30～ Doors Open / Registration Starts
18:00～ Introduction
18:05～ Panel Discussion "Review of IPO and M&A Over the Past Year"
19:05～ Networking (Drinks and light snacks will be provided)
20:00 Closing
■ Speaker Introduction
Sen Fujiwara, CPA, Partner, IPO Group Head, EY ShinNihon LLC
Sen Fujiwara, CPA, Partner, IPO Group Head, EY ShinNihon LLC
For over 30 years since joining the firm, he has been involved in IPO (Initial Public Offering) and startup support in diverse industries such as manufacturing, food service, IT, and entertainment, alongside accounting audits for listed companies. He was involved in the IPOs of three companies in 2019 and three in 2022, and in December 2022, he was involved in the IPOs of three companies in three consecutive business days as the accounting auditor. He focuses on sharing knowledge about IPOs through speaking engagements at major startup events like the Corporate Growth Summit and IVS, as well as through YouTube content and writing.
He has served as a Director of the Japan Association of Healthcare Ventures (current), an Advisor for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Healthcare Innovation Hub" (current), a judge for the METI "Japan Healthcare Business Contest," a committee member for research and development projects by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and METI, and a member of the Impact IPO Working Group, engaging in projects with social impact.
Takeshi Kaneko, Partner, East Ventures
Takeshi Kaneko, Partner, East Ventures
During his university years, he interned at Skyland Ventures. In 2014, he joined JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. as a new graduate. Subsequently, he became a Partner at East Ventures, an independent VC specializing in seed-stage investments. At East Ventures, he executes seed investments in dozens of IT startups founded by young entrepreneurs annually, regardless of industry or business model. In June 2024, he jointly opened "Hive Kyoto" with Strike, an office aimed at supporting startups in Kyoto's Shijo Karasuma area.
Kunihiko Arai, President and CEO, Strike Group Co., Ltd.
Kunihiko Arai, President and CEO, Strike Group Co., Ltd.
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1970, graduated from Hitotsubashi University, Faculty of Commerce. Joined Ohta Showa Audit Corporation (now EY ShinNihon LLC). After gaining experience in financial due diligence and IPO support, he established Strike Co., Ltd. (now Strike Group Co., Ltd.) in 1997. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in June 2016 and moved to the First Section (now Prime Market) in June of the following year. In recent years, he has been involved not only in succession-type M&A but also in M&A for startups and for improving productivity.
Details and Registration Here
※This event is an official side event of IVS2026.
[Approval Number] 2359691192
Strike Co., Ltd.
Strike Co., Ltd.
Shareholder: Strike Group Co., Ltd. (Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime, Securities Code 6196)
Head Office: 15F, Mitsui Bussan Building, 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Kyoto Innovation Office: 5F, Dai 15 Hase Building, 688 Takara-cho, Karasuma-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
(This office aims to foster innovation by serving as a hub for students and young entrepreneurs, and as a nexus between startups and established companies.)
Representative: Kazuya Kaneda, President and CEO
Established: October 2025 (Founded July 1997)
Business Activities: M&A Brokerage
Phone: 03-6848-0101
URL: https://www.strike.co.jp/
Keywords:
FAQ
What is the main theme of this event?
The main theme is the frontier of IPO and M&A, changes and strategies from 2025 to 2026, during a transitional period for the startup market.
Who are the featured speakers?
Leading practitioners from auditing firms, venture capital (VC), and M&A intermediaries will be speaking.
Where will the event be held?
The event will be held at Hulic Hall Kyoto in Kyoto.
What are the participation requirements?
Generally, an IVS2026 ticket is required, and advance registration is mandatory.
Who will benefit from attending this event?
It is highly beneficial for entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters looking to summarize recent market trends and plan their next growth strategies.