Exclusive Luncheon with OpenAI Startups x Japan AI Founders & Investors

January 23rd 2026 | 12:00pm - 2:00pm


​This invitation-only luncheon brings together a small group of AI-related founders and investors in Japan for an off-the-record conversation with OpenAI’s APAC Startups Lead, Thomas Jeng.

​Hosted by TeamFirst, one of Japan’s leading bilingual future leadership communities, this event is part of our ongoing efforts to gather founders, investors, and ecosystem builders shaping Japan’s future in technology and innovation. TeamFirst hosts regular, small-scale gatherings like this throughout the year to foster long-term relationships across the ecosystem. If you are bilingual and interested in joining the community, you can learn more and sign up here: https://teamfirst.jp/form_community

​Following Peter’s recent appointment as a Global Finance Fellow under Governor Koike’s initiatives, the lunch provides a timely forum to reflect on how AI can be built, applied, and scaled in ways that meaningfully contribute to Tokyo’s next chapter.

​Designed as a high-trust, closed-door gathering, the session focuses on the application layer of AI. The discussion will centre on how AI-driven products are being built, adopted, and scaled in Japan today, with an emphasis on real-world use cases rather than infrastructure, chips, or foundation models.

​The format is intentionally informal and discussion-led. The lunch is structured to encourage candid exchange between founders, investors, and OpenAI in a small, peer-level setting.

Event link: https://luma.com/d0xkjs9p

Where great things begin.

TeamFirst brings together the right people, companies and ideas to build a better future in Japan.

Join our exclusive community of 950+ professionals inspiring each other to build a better future in Japan.

© 2025 TeamFirst Inc. All rights reserved.

Where great things begin.

TeamFirst brings together the right people, companies and ideas to build a better future in Japan.

Join our private community of 800+ professionals inspiring each other to build a better future in Japan.

© 2025 TeamFirst Inc. All rights reserved.

Where great things begin.

TeamFirst brings together the right people, companies and ideas to build a better future in Japan.

Join our private community of 800+ professionals inspiring each other to build a better future in Japan.

© 2025 TeamFirst Inc. All rights reserved.