Failed encounters multiplied as the scale expanded
CONCEPT
Two Concepts in Redesign
01
We will design this as a place where every participant can fulfill at least one of their "reasons for coming to IVS" and take home practical benefits. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a regular, whether you are good at communication or not, and whether you are attending alone or in a group, our goal is to deliver "meaningful encounters with practical value" to everyone.
02
We will make the "inevitable" flow where you can definitely meet the people you want to see, and the "accidental" blank space where you can run into unexpected people, coexist within the same area.
The following four projects materialize these two pillars.
NETWORKING AREA CONTENTS
List of Networking Area Projects
This is a matchmaking project for participants based on the theme of 'clarifying needs to increase accidental encounters.' We will offer two approaches, 'AMA' and the new AMA project 'Black Market,' tailored to the clarity of the participants' objectives.
This is a sharper system designed for those with clear objectives. Fill out your specific needs on a dedicated sheet, and interested parties can match directly at a high table. Four categories are available: "Investment," "Recruit," "Alliance," and "Others."
For both formats, you can participate simply by showing up at the venue on the day of the event.
Symbolizing this redesign is the new project called "Black Market" (Yami-ichi).
Participants write down their GIVE (what they can offer) and TAKE (what they would like to receive) on a dedicated sheet and post it on a high table. For example, in response to a post like "I can talk about the latest AI trends from an entrepreneur's perspective (GIVE)," someone who is interested might respond, "In return, I can talk about hiring and fundraising." This is how casual, barter-style encounters are born.
Those whose objective is still vague and are "just looking for interesting connections" are the main characters here. You can participate simply by showing up at the venue on the day. The goal is to nudge attendees who are at the pre-"going to meet someone" stage, but can say "I can offer this," toward safe, accidental encounters.
This is an area where speakers and participants can engage in deep dialogue after the session is over. The design was aimed at optimizing quality rather than maximizing quantity.
After each session (60 minutes), networking time (30 minutes) will be reserved in advance. Both speakers and participants can join the networking on the spot while the excitement of the session is still fresh.
In past conferences, we have seen cases where some participants monopolized speakers for a long time after a session, or participants who wanted to discuss more ended up only exchanging business cards. By designing the session (60 minutes) + networking (30 minutes) as a single block of time, we will prepare a time where both speakers and participants can comfortably engage in dialogue.
This is a 1-to-3-hour themed networking event held on the 3rd floor of Miyako Messe. Positioned as an official side event held within the venue, it lowers the psychological barrier as a gathering place for people with shared interests, leading to next steps such as business deals and recruitment. The themes and event schedule will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
This is the "IVS Matching Wall," continuing from last year's IVS2025, and the "Side Event Bulletin Board" standing next to it. It is a physical bulletin board where you can freely post your purposes, such as "Looking for investors" or "Click here for our recruitment guidelines." Next to it, there will be a side event information desk and a photo spot, also serving as a place to take a breather.
Since it can be displayed at all times, you can connect with people who are interested in your posting even after the sessions or on the following day. You can bring your own posting materials on the day of the event.