IVS2026 is recruiting “NEXT Staff”

IVS STAFF COMMUNITY

IVS Staff Culture and Community
For more than 15 years, IVS has been supported by many volunteer staff members. Young people aspiring to become entrepreneurs and investors gather here, and many have gone on to achieve success in startups or become active as investors. Numerous alumni gather at the venue and watch over the current staff. There are also many voices saying, "The most noteworthy thing about IVS is its volunteer staff," and we value this staff culture deeply.

IVS2025

IVS2024

What Are NEXT Staff?

IVS NEXT Staff is a program in which participants are involved as part of the operations team, from advance preparation, input, and team building through to the event itself.

Toward the "future leaders" who will shape the next generation

For many years, IVS has been planned and run by volunteer staff members, with their spirit passed down from one generation to the next. Through the experience of building IVS2026 together, the next leaders are sure to emerge.

In fact, our representative, Shimakawa, began his career as an IVS volunteer.

Share the future you envision with the current staff. You may be the one to create the next generation.

What You Gain by Joining as Staff

EXT staff are not just there to run things on the day of the event.

It is an experience of being involved as part of the team that "creates" the event, together with companions who share the same level of passion in a space where entrepreneurs, investors, and challengers gather.

Beyond the chance to connect with people you would not normally meet and experience the behind-the-scenes side of a large-scale event, many people have also said that IVS broadened their values and perspectives.

Experience Unique to NEXT Staff

• Experience interacting closely with entrepreneurs, investors, and challengers

• Hands-on experience operating a large-scale event

• Experience thinking and acting independently

• Deeper understanding of the startup industry and a broader perspective

• Connections with highly motivated peers

IVS2025 NEXT Staff

IVS2026 Has Two Events

At IVS2026, we will hold two events, "IVS" and "IVS CORE," depending on the purpose. For NEXT Staff as well, the roles required and matching criteria differ depending on which event you are assigned to.

IVS (Main Event)

A large conference bringing together around 10,000 people, including startup professionals, new business teams, and students. As NEXT Staff, you will help create this energetic space where new encounters, learning, and challenges are born.

IVS CORE (Invitation-Only Event)

IVS CORE is a fully invitation-only area where executives, investors, corporate officers, policymakers, and others gather. It is a space where only invited guests can participate under normal circumstances, and real decision-making, such as business negotiations, partnerships, and investments, takes place.

For this reason, CORE Staff are expected to demonstrate a higher level of hospitality, ownership, and communication skills than standard event operations.

In addition, because the event is operated by a limited number of members, matching is conducted under criteria different from those for the main IVS event. Since this is a position that interacts with executives, investors, and policymakers who make actual decisions, a high level of reliability and responsiveness is required.

About the Activities

Required Participation Schedule

You will be asked to commit continuously for approximately one month, including the event days from June to July.

• Participation in weekly regular MTGs (varies by team)

• Participation in the all-hands kickoff on the morning of June 17 (Wednesday) (online)

• Participation in the day-before preparation day (6/30) (offline)

• Full participation for all three days of the event (no late arrivals or early departures)

Things We Ask of You for the Activities

• Advance input on your assigned area (reviewing provided materials)

• Thorough reporting, communication, and consultation within the team

• Communication using Slack and LINE

• Taking responsibility not only for what happens on the day, but also for advance preparation

Open Positions

1. [IVS] HQ Support

   We are recruiting members to support the overall operations of IVS. Event-day operations are extremely diverse. It is not limited to routine tasks; sometimes quick thinking and initiative are needed to handle unexpected situations. In addition, many participants are from overseas, so supporting smooth communication is also an important role.

   
   

2. [IVS] HQ Interpreter

   This role involves interpreting for the headquarters team. More than 20% of guests come from overseas. We are looking for members of the interpretation team who will mainly support guests from abroad. No prior interpreting experience is required, and students who are confident in their English skills are also welcome to join.

   
   

3. [IVS] Speaker Care

   This team keeps the main stage running. You will manage speakers' schedules on the day, coordinate on-site adjustments, and play a role in managing time and communication in a high-pressure environment. The "behind the scenes" of an event visited by more than 10,000 people is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

   • Speaker Care Leader (*Begins work in mid-May)

   • Speaker Care (reception and guidance, etc.)

   • Web3 / CRYPTO Speaker Care (English required, interest in CRYPTO)

   • Global Speaker Care (reception and guidance, etc., English required)

     
     

4. [IVS CORE] Speaker Care

   You will be responsible for the newly established fully invitation-only area, "IVS CORE," this year. In a different venue, atmosphere, and participant profile from the main IVS event, calm responsiveness and hospitality are required. The main duties are reception and guidance for IVS CORE speakers. Students not allowed; English required.

   
   

5. [IVS CORE] Guest Connector

   At IVS CORE, you will introduce guests to one another according to their needs and proactively create opportunities for guests to meet each other. This is a position where you can leverage a broad network in the startup industry. Students not allowed; those who are good at English are welcome.

   
   

6. [IVS] Tour Desk

   We host a communication market where approximately 130 startups gather every day. The Tour Desk team supports gathering participants for the market tours held daily and assists the directors. While standing at the forefront of the venue where new encounters and ideas are born, you will have the unique opportunity in this role to meet hundreds of startups over three days.

   
   

7. [IVS] Check-in System Support

   IVS uses a check-in system that scans QR codes in a dedicated app. The Check-in System Support team serves as the contact point for handling system issues that arise at reception and supports smooth entry for participants.

   
   

8. [IVS] Youth Operations Support

   This team supports the operation of "IVS Youth," a program mainly for students, including middle and high school students, as well as education providers. To ensure smooth progress for student pitch sessions, talk sessions, networking events, and more that support the challenges of the next generation, you will be in charge of reception, guidance, venue operations, and speaker support. This is a position unique to IVS Youth, where you can witness the moment future entrepreneurs and challengers take their first step.

   • Reception guidance / pitch participant support

   • Speaker support

   • Venue operations support

   
   

9. [IVS] Information Outreach

   At IVS, countless things happen over the course of three days. Last time, the event was covered by more than 100 media outlets, and many posts were shared on social media as well. The Information Outreach team will be responsible for sharing the energy, atmosphere, speaker content, and encounters born at the venue in real time with the world. This is the position for broadcasting "what is happening at IVS" and spreading the excitement of the event.

   • Camera support

   • SNS lead

   
   

10. [IVS] Networking Area

    With the theme of "maximizing both chance and destined encounters," we will create a networking area where many connections are born. This role supports creating a space where participants can naturally connect with one another and helps facilitate communication. "Being able to meet the people you want to meet" is one of IVS's greatest values. In this position, you will help shape the environment so that a variety of participants can gain new encounters and opportunities.

    
    

11. [IVS] Overseas Guest Tour Support

    This position supports the operation and hosting of tours for overseas guests during the event period. You will provide communication and on-site support so that participants from abroad can join the tours with peace of mind. (English required)

❓If you're not sure which team is the right fit for you, let's talk.

• Flexible people who can say, "I'm fine with any position, leave it to me."

• People who are highly motivated but unsure which position suits them best.

• People who enjoy life's coincidences and want to grow through a variety of experiences.

We look forward to hearing from people who enjoy taking on new challenges and expanding their possibilities.

Important: About Applications and Matching

Common Eligibility Requirements

• Open to both students and working professionals

• Those who can share their participation in IVS with their affiliated organization (company, university, etc.) and obtain consent

• Those who agree to IVS's confidentiality obligations

*Please refrain from applying if your sole purpose is sales, promotion, or networking for your own company, or entry to the Speaker area.

What We Value in the Main IVS Event

• Those who resonate with IVS's mission, "A catalyst for the next generation."

• Those who want to contribute to the growth of Japan's startup ecosystem

• Those who can work cooperatively as part of a team

• Those who can take initiative with energy and enthusiasm

What We Especially Value in IVS CORE

• Those who can demonstrate a high level of hospitality

• Those who can communicate carefully with senior executives

• Those who can act with a strong sense of ownership

• Those who want to deeply commit to the startup industry

• Those who value confidentiality and trustworthiness

Activity Conditions

• This is volunteer work (unpaid)

• No financial support for transportation, lodging, etc.

• Activity certificates can be issued for university students

• Participation as an IVS member (do not front your individual company affiliation)

• Compliance with confidentiality obligations

• If any profit-driven behavior, extremely self-serving behavior, or disruptive conduct is confirmed, you may be asked to withdraw from the activity

Selection Process

• Matching with each team will be conducted based on application information (focus is on matching rather than pass/fail)

• If there is a potential match, an online interview will be conducted

• After agreement in the interview, you will join the team

Application Form

(First deadline: 5/15 (Fri) 23:59)
Second deadline: 5/31 (Sun) 23:59 *Applications will close once positions are filled