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 go on to achieve success in startups or thrive as investors. At the venue, many alumni gather and watch over the current staff. Many people say, 'The most notable part of IVS is its volunteer staff,' and we value this staff culture.

IVS2025

IVS2024

What are NEXT Staff?

IVS NEXT Staff is a program where you participate as part of the operations team, from pre-event preparation, input, and team building through to the event itself.

Toward the next generation's future leaders

For many years, IVS has been planned and operated by volunteer staff who became planning staff, and that spirit has been passed down. Through the experience of building IVS 2026 together, the next leaders will surely emerge.

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

Share the future you envision with the current staff. You might be the one who creates the next generation.

What You Gain by Joining as Staff

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

It is an experience of being part of creating the event alongside peers who share the same energy in a space where entrepreneurs, investors, and challengers gather.

In addition to building connections with people you would not normally meet and experiencing what goes on behind the scenes of a large-scale event, many people say that IVS broadened their values and perspectives.

Experiences Unique to NEXT Staff

• An experience of working closely with entrepreneurs, investors, and challengers

• Hands-on experience operating a large-scale event

• Experience thinking and acting for yourself

• Deeper understanding of the startup industry and a broader perspective

• Connections with highly motivated peers

IVS2025 NEXT Staff

IVS 2026 will have two events

At IVS 2026, we will hold two events depending on the purpose: IVS and IVS CORE. NEXT Staff will also have different roles and matching criteria depending on the event they are assigned to.

IVS (Main Event)

This is a large conference that brings together about 10,000 people, including startup professionals, new business staff, and students. As NEXT Staff, you will help create a high-energy space where new connections, learning, and challenges are born.

IVS CORE (Invitation-only Event)

IVS CORE is a fully invitation-only area where business leaders, investors, corporate executives, and policymakers gather. It is a space open only to invited guests, where real decisions are made regarding business talks, partnerships, investments, and more.

For that reason, CORE staff are expected to have even higher hospitality, ownership, and communication skills than those needed for a regular event.

In addition, because the event is run by a limited number of members, matching is based on different criteria from the main IVS event. Since this is a position that interacts with business leaders, investors, and policymakers who make real decisions, a high level of reliability and responsiveness is required.

About the Activities

Required Participation Schedule

You will be asked to make a continuous commitment for about one month, including the event days from June to July.

• Participation in weekly regular meetings (varies by team)

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

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

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

What We Ask of You During the Activities

• Pre-event input for your assigned area (reviewing provided materials)

• Thorough reporting, communication, and consultation within the team

• Communication using Slack and LINE

• Not only handling what happens on the day, but also taking responsibility for preparation in advance

Open Positions

1. [IVS] HQ Support

   We are looking for members to support the overall operation of IVS. There are many different tasks on the day. In addition to routine work, there may be situations that require quick thinking and decisive action, such as handling unexpected issues. Since there are also many overseas participants, a role that supports smooth communication is also important.

   
   

2. [IVS] HQ Interpreter

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

   
   

3. [IVS] Speaker Care

   This team keeps the main stage running. You will manage speakers' schedules on the day and coordinate on site, playing a role that brings together time management and communication in a tense environment. The backstage of an event attended by more than 10,000 people will surely be an unforgettable experience.

   • Speaker Care Leader (operations begin in mid-May)

   • Speaker Care (reception and guidance)

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

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

     
     

4. [IVS CORE] Speaker Care

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

   
   

5. [IVS CORE] Guest Connector

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

   
   

6. [IVS] Tour Desk

   We host a communication market where about 130 startups gather each day. The Tour Desk team supports gathering for the daily market tours and assists the director. Standing at the forefront of a venue where new connections and projects are born, this role offers the unique opportunity to meet hundreds of startups over three days.

   
   

7. [IVS] Reception System Support

   IVS uses a reception system that scans QR codes with a dedicated app. The Reception System Support team acts as the contact point for system troubles that arise at reception, helping participants enter smoothly.

   
   

8. [IVS] Youth Operations Support

   This team supports the operation of IVS Youth, a program mainly for students and education providers, especially junior high and high school students. To ensure smooth progress for student pitches, talk sessions, networking events, and other spaces that support the next generation's challenges, you will handle reception, guidance, venue operations, speaker support, and more. 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] Communications

   At IVS, countless things happen over the three days. Last time, it was covered by more than 100 media outlets, and there was also a great deal of activity on social media. The Communications team will be responsible for sharing the energy and atmosphere created at the venue, as well as the content of talks and encounters, in real time with the world. This is the position that spreads the excitement of the event by communicating what is happening at IVS.

   • Camera support

   • Social media lead

   
   

10. [IVS] Networking Area

    With the theme of maximizing serendipitous and inevitable encounters, we will create a networking area where many connections are made. This is a position that helps build a space where participants can connect naturally and supports communication. Being able to meet the people you want to meet is one of IVS's major values. In this role, you will support 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 held during the event. You will handle communication and on-site support so that participants from abroad can join the tour with peace of mind. (English required)

❓Not sure which team is right for you? We can help.

• Flexible people who can say, whatever the position, I can handle it.

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

• People who enjoy serendipity in life and want to grow through a variety of experiences.

We are looking for people who enjoy trying something new and expanding their own potential.

Important: About Applications and Matching

Common Application Requirements

• Open to both students and working professionals

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

• Those who agree to IVS confidentiality obligations

Please refrain if your sole purpose is sales, promotion, or networking for your own company, or entering the Speaker area.

What We Value for 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 drive and enthusiasm

What We Especially Value for IVS CORE

• Those who can demonstrate a high level of hospitality

• Those who can communicate carefully with 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 a volunteer activity (unpaid)

• No financial support is provided for transportation, accommodation, or similar expenses

• University students can receive a participation certificate

• Participation as an IVS member (without foregrounding your personal company affiliation)

• Compliance with confidentiality obligations

• If for-profit motives, extremely self-centered behavior, or disruptive conduct are confirmed, you may be asked to withdraw from the activities

Selection Process

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

• If there is a matching candidate, 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 *Closes once positions are filled

Update / Revision History

• 2026.05.10：

  • Due to strengthened operations and team composition adjustments, we have started additional recruiting for some positions.

  • We added new positions and changed the application deadline to 5/31 (Sun) 23:59.