[Online Apr 21] Hybrid Financing Options to Know from the Seed Stage: Optimal Strategies Discussed by JFC and VC Experts
Protostar Inc. will host a webinar for seed-stage entrepreneurs on April 21, 2026, exploring the optimal combination of equity and debt ('hybrid financing') amidst tightening VC screening, featuring experts from Protostar and Japan Finance Corporation.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 19:20
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Protostar Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hidemaro Maekawa), whose mission is to support challengers, will hold an online seminar titled 'Hybrid Financing Options to Know from the Seed Stage: What is the Optimal Combination of Equity and Debt?' for pre-founding and seed-stage entrepreneurs on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
▼Entrepreneurs in the pre-founding or seed stage looking to expand their funding options can apply from the link below:
https://peatix.com/event/4936042
[Background and Purpose of the Event]
With VC investment screening becoming increasingly cautious these days, the importance of 'hybrid financing', which combines 'equity' and 'debt', is growing.
However, many entrepreneurs hit a funding wall, unable to find the optimal balance or the right order of utilization.
In this seminar, Hidemaro Maekawa, CEO of Protostar Inc., who has executed numerous investments as a VC, and Shunta Sato, who handles loan screenings for startups at the Japan Finance Corporation, will take the stage. They will thoroughly discuss the realities of hybrid financing based on live expertise from the field.
We will present concrete fundraising actions that will serve as the next step for entrepreneurs aiming for discontinuous business growth.
In this program, we will dive deeply into the following four main points:
- The current state of equity financing: The difference between companies that attract funds and those that struggle
- The reality of JFC loans: Suitability for startups utilizing them
- Business planning points: The decisive difference between a business plan that secures investment and one that secures a loan
- Future actions: Fundraising actions seed-stage entrepreneurs should take in 2026
Speaker Introductions
Protostar Inc.
Hidemaro Maekawa (CEO)
Japan Finance Corporation
Shunta Sato (Senior Deputy Manager, Tokyo Startup Support Plaza, Micro Business and Individual Unit)
Event Overview
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 18:30 - 19:30
Format: Zoom Webinar (Online)
Participation Fee: Free
Inquiries regarding this event
Protostar Inc.
Kigyo LOG Business Division
cs_kigyolog@theprotostar.co
▼Entrepreneurs in the pre-founding or seed stage looking to expand their funding options can apply from the link below:
https://peatix.com/event/4936042
[Background and Purpose of the Event]
With VC investment screening becoming increasingly cautious these days, the importance of 'hybrid financing', which combines 'equity' and 'debt', is growing.
However, many entrepreneurs hit a funding wall, unable to find the optimal balance or the right order of utilization.
In this seminar, Hidemaro Maekawa, CEO of Protostar Inc., who has executed numerous investments as a VC, and Shunta Sato, who handles loan screenings for startups at the Japan Finance Corporation, will take the stage. They will thoroughly discuss the realities of hybrid financing based on live expertise from the field.
We will present concrete fundraising actions that will serve as the next step for entrepreneurs aiming for discontinuous business growth.
In this program, we will dive deeply into the following four main points:
- The current state of equity financing: The difference between companies that attract funds and those that struggle
- The reality of JFC loans: Suitability for startups utilizing them
- Business planning points: The decisive difference between a business plan that secures investment and one that secures a loan
- Future actions: Fundraising actions seed-stage entrepreneurs should take in 2026
Speaker Introductions
Protostar Inc.
Hidemaro Maekawa (CEO)
Japan Finance Corporation
Shunta Sato (Senior Deputy Manager, Tokyo Startup Support Plaza, Micro Business and Individual Unit)
Event Overview
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 18:30 - 19:30
Format: Zoom Webinar (Online)
Participation Fee: Free
Inquiries regarding this event
Protostar Inc.
Kigyo LOG Business Division
cs_kigyolog@theprotostar.co