Tokyo is a paradise for living but a desert for doing a traditional startup (see below). On the other hand, Japan is the most viral place on earth. Hypergrowth companies here are based on viral marketing (any exceptions? Let me know).
If you're working on a viral marketing opportunity in Tokyo, please get in touch with me.
[Tokyo is a desert for traditions startups because:
- Exits are rare and at low multiples
- Funding is hard to get and include irrational terms, like personal guarantees.
- Customers prefer to buy from established companies
- Employees prefer to work for established companies]
Companies based on viral marketing can route around these problems. It's really a terrific place if you are ready for it.
This is a bit off-topic. I just moved to Tokyo a month ago and Jay was very welcoming. I met him at last month's Hacker News meetup. It was just two days after I landed so I was pretty nervous.
Since then I've gone to 5 meetups. One thing that I've learned is Business Cards are vital. So much so that I've decided to bite the bullet and print up some of my own even though I'm still job hunting.
He didn't mention it but from what I can tell the Taxis here are a world apart. Stuff like the doors automatically close for you and the drivers all wear suits. Sorry I've only been taking trains everywhere.
The trains themselves are also a major plus point for Tokyo. My house is along the Mita-line and almost everywhere I go is is just a single connection away. The busy hours are not that bad too since my head is above the crowd.
I still get a thrill everytime a 10 car train rushes past the platform.
Also half of everyone wears suits. Even people in otherwise "low-class" service jobs wear suits.
Anyway: if you are in tokyo you should 100% visit the next HN meetup on the 21st. If you're new feel free to email me and we can meetup and walk together from the station. First time I came here I arrived an hour ahead of time to find the place. That turned out to be a bit early and it got cold waiting outside.
If you're working on a viral marketing opportunity in Tokyo, please get in touch with me.
[Tokyo is a desert for traditions startups because:
- Exits are rare and at low multiples
- Funding is hard to get and include irrational terms, like personal guarantees.
- Customers prefer to buy from established companies
- Employees prefer to work for established companies]
Companies based on viral marketing can route around these problems. It's really a terrific place if you are ready for it.