Bridging Europe and Japan: Tech & VC Collaboration

Hosted by New Balkans Law Office (NBLO) on February 12, 2025, the hybrid webinar “Cross-border Tech and Venture Capital (VC) between Europe and Japan” brought together thought leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in cross-border collaboration within the technology and innovation sectors. With Japanese partners joining us, the event saw participation both in person and online, creating a dynamic platform for discussion and exchange.

As a boutique law firm with extensive experience in supporting SMEs and multinational corporations in their international ventures, NBLO’s Managing Partner, Kamen Shoylev, highlighted the strategic advantages of Bulgaria as a gateway to Europe for Japanese investors. He emphasized Bulgaria’s strong IT sector, its startup-friendly environment, and its role as a key player in AI, Web3, and digital transformation.

We were honored to have H.E. Marieta Arabadjieva, Ambassador of Bulgaria in Japan, deliver the keynote address. She presented an overview of Bulgaria’s innovation-driven economy, citing its ranking as third globally in IT specialists per capita and its €1 billion investment in IT and innovation between 2019-2023. She also highlighted successful Bulgarian-Japanese collaborations, including partnerships with NTT Data and leading AI research institutions, including the recent collaboration between Bulgaria’s INSAIT and Japan’s Riken Institute.

The event featured a distinguished panel of venture capitalists and corporate leaders, including Nao Kitazawa (Eight Roads Ventures), Shigeki Mitomo (Cool Japan Fund), Ivan Genadiev (Pneuma Inc.), Angel Angelov (Innovation Capital), Denis Hristov( FMFIB) and Kamen Bankovski (Foundation Sreda). Their discussion centered around investment trends, regulatory considerations, and key strategies for cross-border startup growth.

Legal Considerations for Cross-Border Investment

Bonso Morimoto, Partner at Nishimura & Asahi, provided critical insights into the legal and regulatory landscape for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Japan. He outlined key considerations for European startups entering the Japanese market, including:

• Structuring cross-border partnerships to mitigate risks
• Navigating intellectual property rights and compliance frameworks
• Understanding evolving data protection laws affecting foreign investment
• Best practices for setting up joint ventures in Japan

The Bulgaria Innovation Hub and Silicon Valley Connection

Pavlina Yanakieva, CEO of Bulgaria Innovation Hub, shared insights from her six-year experience bridging Bulgarian startups with Silicon Valley. She discussed the importance of building strong global networks, accessing international funding, and leveraging government-backed initiatives. She also pointed out key cultural and investment differences between Eastern Europe, Japan, and the United States, stressing the need for adaptability and market-specific growth strategies.

The Role of NTT Data and Society 5.0

A highlight of the event was Noriyuki Kaya’s presentation on NTT Data’s involvement in Japan’s Society 5.0 initiative. He explored how Bulgarian tech firms could play a role in Japan’s push for AI-driven digital transformation, particularly in smart city technologies and big data solutions.

Looking Ahead: Future Opportunities for Bulgaria-Japan Collaboration

As the event concluded, NBLO reaffirmed its commitment to fostering Bulgaria-Japan business and investment ties. We look forward to organizing further discussions, trade missions, and collaborative projects, strengthening the bridge between European and Japanese innovation ecosystems.

We at NBLO would like to extend our gratitude to all who joined us for our hybrid seminar on Cross-border Tech and Venture Capital (VC) between Europe and Japan. We hope that the perspectives shared by our esteemed speakers provided valuable insights into the opportunities available for businesses looking to expand across these dynamic markets.

If you or your company are interested in expanding into Bulgaria or Japan, we encourage you to reach out via our Contact Form or email us directly at [email protected].

Speakers at the Event

• H.E. Marieta Arabadjieva, Ambassador of Bulgaria in Japan
• Nao Kitazawa, Venture Partner at Eight Roads Ventures
• Bonso Morimoto, Partner at Nishimura & Asahi
• Shigeki Mitomo, Senior Managing Executive Officer/CFO of Cool Japan Fund
• Noriyuki Kaya, Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Assets Officer at NTT DATA
• Kamen Shoylev, Founder and Managing Partner of New Balkans Law Office
• Denis Hristov, Head of Business Analytics and Development at FMFIB
• Angel Angelov, Managing Partner at Innovation Capital
• Kamen Bankovski, Former Partner at VVP, Managing Director of Foundation Sreda
• Ivan Genadiev, Founder of Teres Capital, Chairman of Pneuma Inc.
• Pavlina Yanakieva, CEO of Bulgaria Innovation Hub, Inc., Silicon Valley