ON&BOARD Co., Ltd. (Location: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representatives: Masato Shimodaira and Kosuke Nakayama) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the "SWISH! Startup Camp." The two-day startup camp, held from Saturday, October 18, to Sunday, October 19, 2025, at "RISING FIELD Karuizawa," a vast camp field in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, concluded with great success.

In Japan, which faces the significant turning point of a shrinking population, entrepreneurs, CxOs, and investors who are paving the way for the future gathered at the camp. Together with approximately 200 participants, they explored the essential theme of "Closing Distance."

■Practicing "Closing Distance" and Realizing Fundraising Support

The Camp aimed to evolve the traditional conference from a mere venue for gaining knowledge into a practical platform for "Closing Distance," where leaders could speak candidly and bridge the gap between them.

In light of the increasing difficulty of fundraising in the current era, 31 major domestic VCs and CVCs were invited to participate as "VC Partners." Set against the natural backdrop overlooking Mt. Asama, the camp facilitated the formation of essential trust between entrepreneurs and investors—a trust that cannot be built through pitches alone—leading to numerous concrete dialogues for future investment.

■Highlights of the Two Days: Return to Origin and Candid Dialogue

Amidst the magnificent nature of Karuizawa, participants were liberated from their everyday titles and roles, sharing active and essential experiences that allowed them to return to their personal "Why" (Origin).

1. Intensive "Dialogue Sessions" with Top Runners
   Top leaders, including Riku Sugie, former President and CEO of Paidy Co., Ltd.; Toshiyuki Yamamoto, Founder of ChatWork Co., Ltd.; Masashi Miyamoto, Representative Director, Chairman and CEO of Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.; and Naoaki Mashita, Representative Director, President and Founder of V-cube, Inc., took the stage. Participants engaged in dialogue-based sessions reflecting on the speakers' careers and open Q&A, sharing real-world insights and passion derived from their personal experiences.

2. "Active Learning" Fully Engaging All Five Senses
   As a form of practical learning, rather than mere theoretical discussion, the camp featured team-based problem-solving activities. Through experiences that fully utilized all five senses, all participants gained strong trust among team members and acquired new insights.
   

3. "Maki-tching" (Firewood-Matching): A Signature Content Creating Deep Mutual Understanding
   The signature content, "Maki-tching," held around a bonfire at night, encouraged participants to temporarily shed their social standing and engage with each other as individuals. Candid dialogues were exchanged, allowing them to connect with the underlying passion that a business plan alone can never convey. This built the foundation for true partnerships that transcend mere figures.

■Creating a "Pay it Forward" Ecosystem from Karuizawa

The "SWISH! Startup Camp" is not intended to be a fleeting event but rather the starting point of a community that instills the "Pay it Forward" spirit, where participants give back what they have gained to the next generation.

ON&BOARD Co., Ltd. will use this success as the first step to collaborate with our co-hosts, partners, and supporters, including Nagano Prefecture, Karuizawa Town, and the Karuizawa Tourist Association. We are committed to contributing to the creation and development of a sustainable startup ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs launching from Karuizawa to Japan and the world.

We would like to once again express our sincere gratitude to all who participated and cooperated.

【SWISH! Startup Camp 2025 Overview (または Event Summary)】

• Name : SWISH! Startup Camp
• Date : October 18 (Sat) – October 19 (Sun), 2025
• Venue : RISING FIELD Karuizawa (Kitasaku-gun, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano Prefecture)
• Organizer : ON&BOARD Co., Ltd.
• VC/CVC Partners : 31 Companies
• Co-Organizers : RISING FIELD Co., Ltd., Hachijuni Bank, Ltd., Hachijuni Investment Co., Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd., Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., Japan Finance Corporation (JFC), and others

■Contact Information

Company : ON&BOARD Co., Ltd.
Contact Person : Hasegawa
Email：info@on-board-vc.com