The "NQ Global Startup Gateway (Nakanoshima Cross Global Startup Creation and Hub Promotion Project) NQ Version COO Human Resource Development Program: Third Intensive Session" was held on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28.
Day 5: Friday, February 27
In the morning, Yoshihide Ishii, President and CEO of Alloy Therapeutics K.K., took the podium for a series of three sessions: "Session 1: Images of Successful People," "Session 2: The Path to Success," and "Session 3: Specific Steps.
Based on his first-hand experience in the bioecosystem in Japan and the U.S., Dr. Ishii explained the importance of "appeal" to compete in the global market and career strategies to maximize market value. The discussion among the participants provided an opportunity to gain deep insight into the perspectives needed to become an "irreplaceable professional" in a particular field and the importance of strategically building one's own career.
In the "Presentation with Lunch" session that followed, each team gave a presentation over lunch. Teams presented the themes they had studied and prepared on the medical and drug discovery fields, sharing their cross-disciplinary perspectives and diverse approaches.
Panel Discussion 1, "Making Contact with Investors," the first session of the afternoon, was facilitated by Mr. Ishii and featured panelists Hisamoto, Shiobara, and Tamiya, who are investors with diverse career paths among the participants.
This session demonstrated the importance of non-quantifiable criteria, not only technological superiority, but also how the "winning smell" created by a strong siting group attracts investors. He also explained the necessity of "information warfare" to prove one's superiority by meta-awareness of global competition, providing an opportunity for startups to develop a strategic perspective to compete with investors on an equal footing.
Next, Panel Discussion 2, "What to look for in a COO," was facilitated by Mr. Ishii, with panelists Shigehiro Asano, Investment Department (Capitalist), Osaka University Venture Capital, Mr. Hikaru Saito, Partner, Saisei Ventures, Mr. Hikaru Saito, Partner, Beyond Next Ventures, Mr. Takashi Futami, Partner, AN Venture Partners, Mr. Takehiko Sawabe, Director, Investment Department, Saisei Ventures, Inc. Mr. Takehiko Sawabe, Director, Investment Department, Beyond Next Ventures K.K., and Mr. Takashi Futami, Partner, AN Venture Partners, participated as panelists.
In this session, there was a heated discussion about the expectations and true feelings of "COO (Chief Operating Officer) personnel," who can make the difference between the success or failure of a startup.
Panelists spoke of their role as "connectors" connecting technology to social implementation, and the harsh reality that it is essential to be more familiar with issues in the field than anyone else, and to be "ready to commit your life to results" even under uncertain circumstances.
The course also touched on the essential motivation of drug discovery, which is driven by a sense of urgency for patients waiting for their medicine, and provided a valuable opportunity for the participants to deeply engrave their perspective and professionalism as COOs, who are increasingly in demand in the global marketplace.
The event concluded with a discussion among Mr. Kenshi Okumura, Director for Promotion of Future Medical Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Osaka Prefecture; Mr. Yoshiki Sawa, President, Organization for Promotion of Future Medical Industry; and Mr. Yoshihide Ishii, President, Alloy Therapeutics K.K.
Mr. Okumura expressed the significance of this program in building an ecosystem based in Nakanoshima Qross, and his hope that the participants will become global leaders in their field.
Mr. Sawa emphasized that the "patience" and "compassion" of the Japanese people match the qualities of a COO, and that a uniquely Japanese image of COO could change the world.
Mr. Ishii concluded the dialogue by praising the students' growth after completing the nine-week program and encouraging them to continue to work together as colleagues who will cherish this network and win the information war.
At the end of the second day, a dinner session was held, where speakers and students mingled and exchanged opinions.
Day 6: Saturday, February 28
On the final day of the nine-week COO Human Resource Development Program, participants reflected on the program and discussed their prospects after completing it.
Reflecting on each of the previous day's sessions, participants said they were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the successful participants, while at the same time reaffirming the importance of the COO as the "watchdog" who coordinates the muddy hardships and teams in the field. They also delved into the ability to plan "stunt data" to move investors and strategies to bridge the global information gap.
Mr. Ishii gave the guideline that a COO should always think about "how it can be done" and have the ability to extract the main points from complex events and convince the top management.