Paul: Maki Özer is a familiar figure to many in Japan's tech startup scene. She recently cofounded Pulsar Innovations to contribute more directly to the startup community here.
Maki and I spoke about her decision to attend a multilingual university in Japan, her early career pre-tech, how she was introduced to the startup scene, her advice for founders in Japan in 2026, and more.
Hi Maki. Please introduce yourself.
Hi, I’m Maki. I’m Co-Founder and CMO at Pulsar Innovations. We are a startup ecosystem builder based in Tokyo. Our focus is ecosystem building, community-led programs, and practical support for founders in Japan.
We are the intersection of startups, global talent, and public institutions, helping founders, students, and professionals connect across borders and cultures. My role is often about building bridges—between local and global communities, between ideas and execution, and between people who might not otherwise meet.
Originally, I’m from Hokkaido, where I grew up with a strong sense of local community and regional identity. I later moved to Tokyo to expand my work on a larger scale, while continuing to stay deeply connected to regional ecosystems. Today, I’m particularly interested in how Tokyo can act as a gateway—connecting local regions like Hokkaido with global startup networks.
You studied international relations and peace studies at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Oita. What were you interested in, and what kind of career did you have in mind?
I had a strong interest in how people from different backgrounds can collaborate despite differences in culture, language, and values. That’s one of the reasons I chose my major as international relations and peace studies.
I didn’t have a clear job title in mind, but I knew I wanted a career that involved bridging people and systems across borders.
APU emphasises a multilingual and multicultural campus, with almost all courses offered in both Japanese and English. Why did you choose to study there?
I chose APU because it wasn’t just “international” in name — diversity was embedded into everyday life. APU is known for its highly international and multicultural campus environment. Students come from more than 90 countries and regions, and international students make up nearly half of the student body. Courses are offered in both English and Japanese, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to study together in a truly bilingual setting. This daily exposure to different cultures, languages, and perspectives creates a unique learning environment where cross-cultural communication is not theoretical, but a part of everyday life.
Studying in both English and Japanese, and working daily with people from all over the world, helped me build the mindset and communication skills that are central to my work today.
How did your career progress after graduation? You’ve spent time in some quite different fields.
After graduating from university, I began my career in sales, working closely with customers and developing a strong interest in service design and strategy. I transitioned into marketing and worked as a marketing consultant, leading client projects while also launching an in-house skincare brand from concept to market.
I then moved into product planning and development, managing manufacturing processes in collaboration with domestic and overseas factories. To broaden my expertise, I later worked in luxury marketing, focusing on branding for high-net-worth audiences and product development management.
How did you get interested in the tech startup scene?
I became interested in startups because they sit at the intersection of innovation and highly motivated people.
That interest led me to Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB), a Tokyo Metropolitan Government–supported startup hub. At TiB, I worked as a community manager. This encompassed supporting founders, organizing startup ecosystem events, supporting PR activities, connecting startups with partners, mentors, and public institutions, and promoting TiB at Sushi Tech Tokyo.
As someone very active in the Japan startup community, how would you describe what’s happening here to someone new to the scene?
Japan’s startup ecosystem—especially in Tokyo—is evolving rapidly and is far more active than many people expect. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has made startup support a clear priority, with a wide range of well-funded and well-structured programs that support founders at different stages, from early validation to global expansion.
What’s particularly impressive is the maturity of the global community. Compared to many other cities in Japan, Tokyo has developed a strong, international startup ecosystem where English-speaking founders, investors, and operators can actively participate. Pitch events, demo days, and community-driven meetups are happening across the city on a regular basis, making it easy for newcomers to plug into the ecosystem.
Large corporations are also playing an increasingly important role, actively seeking open innovation by launching startup support facilities, coworking spaces, and corporate partnership programs. In addition, Tokyo hosts several major international startup conferences each year, such as Sushi Tech Tokyo, Venture Cafe Global Gathering, and the Tech for Impact Summit, which help connect local founders with global networks.
Overall, Japan’s startup scene is becoming more open, collaborative, and globally connected—making it an exciting time to get involved.
This brings us on to your new company, Pulsar Innovations (formerly Sayama Ventures), which you founded last year with Lee Jean, an entrepreneur and the host of the Produck Podcast. What does Pulsar do, and what are your goals?
Pulsar Innovations focuses on ecosystem building through community-led programs, events, and partnerships.
We support founders who want to scale globally from Japan, as well as international teams entering the Japanese market, through a combination of community-led programs, events, and hands-on consulting. Our focus is very practical—we’re less about theory and more about execution, connection, and momentum.
On the program side, we run pitch-focused events like Pitch & Connect, where founders can practice storytelling and receive honest feedback in a safe, bilingual environment. We also host co-founder matching and collaborative events designed to spark real partnerships, not just surface-level networking. In addition, we’re developing longer-term startup programs and retreats that take founders outside the city to focus, reflect, and build deeper relationships.
We work closely with ecosystem partners including public institutions, universities, corporates, and international communities, and we’re proud to be an official ambassador for large-scale events like SusHi Tech Tokyo.
Alongside our offline work, we host a weekly live stream where we talk openly about topics such as building startups in Japan, pitching across cultures, global mindset, community building, and career paths in the ecosystem. It’s designed for founders, builders, students, and anyone curious about how Japan connects to the global startup world.
Our long-term goal is simple but ambitious: to help make Japan the best place in the world to build global startups by creating an ecosystem where people can connect across borders, learn by doing, and grow together with confidence.
What advice would you give to potential founders looking to build a venture in Japan in 2026?
My advice would be to focus on building strong relationships early and to engage with the ecosystem as soon as possible. In Japan, trust and long-term commitment matter just as much as the quality of the idea itself.
Don’t wait until your product or pitch feels “perfect” before sharing it. Many founders miss valuable opportunities by staying too isolated. Participating in community events, pitch sessions, and informal meetups allows you to learn faster, receive honest feedback, and build credibility over time.
It’s also important to understand how Japan’s ecosystem works—especially when it comes to working with public institutions, large corporations, and regional partners. The support available is extensive, but founders who succeed are those who take the time to understand the structure and actively build relationships within it.
Finally, surround yourself with people who challenge you and support you at the same time. In 2026, building in Japan is less about moving fast alone and more about growing steadily together within a trusted network.
What does your typical day look like?
My days are a mix of meetings, event planning, community support, expanding the network, and lots of conversations — online and offline.
No two days look the same, which is exactly why I enjoy this work.
What are some of your goals for the future?
Short-term: strengthen local communities in Tokyo and regional Japan.
Long-term: build sustainable bridges between Japan, local regions, and the global ecosystem — personally and professionally.
Quickfire questions
– English language proficiency seems to be declining in Japan, according to global rankings. How important do you think your language skills have been in building your career so far?
I think my language skills have been absolutely essential in building my career so far. However, it’s not just about speaking English fluently — it’s about using language as a tool to build trust, create shared understanding, and lower psychological barriers.
In the startup and innovation space, many opportunities happen in informal settings: community events, quick conversations, or spontaneous collaborations. Being able to switch naturally between English and Japanese allows me to act as a bridge between global founders, local startups, public institutions, and corporations.
I’ve also seen that language skills often give people confidence to participate. When someone feels understood — not just linguistically, but culturally — they’re more willing to share ideas and take risks. That ability to create inclusive, bilingual spaces has played a major role in my work as a community manager and ecosystem builder.
– How do you learn new skills? What are you currently learning?
Through people and practice. Currently learning more about AI tools and community design.
– Tell me a few of your favourite or most recently read books, movies, podcasts, and games.
Book: 無門関,
Movie: 国宝 (Kokuho)
Game: Unravel
– What’s your favourite place to visit in Japan?
Mombetsu, Hokkaido and Beppu, Oita.
Mombetsu is my hometown. Drift ice comes from Russia every winter, and the scenery is breathtaking. In the summer, you can see a beautiful lavender flower garden.
Beppu is my second hometown. Beppu is Japan’s No. 1 hot spring place. It has a wide variety of hot springs, and steam is coming out from the ground. My university was in Beppu as well.
– What’s the best thing you’ve spent 10,000 JPY on in Japan?
Having lunch with people I love.
Are there topics we haven’t discussed that you’d like to add?
Community is often underestimated — but it’s the foundation of every ecosystem.
And finally, do you have any asks for our readers?
If you’re a founder, student, or ecosystem builder, I’d love to connect. Please feel free to reach out or follow my work on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Maki. I look forward to watching Pulsar grow and contribute to the startup ecosystem.
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