[Event Report] ZeLo Hosted a Reception on February 2025

About the Event

This event was held to create opportunities for collaboration and business acceleration for the startups and partners who support ZeLo.

• Opening remarks by Representative Attorney Masataka Ogasawara
• Part 1: Special Talk Session
• Group photo and a toast from Deputy Representative Attorney Nozomi Tsunoda
• Part 2: Networking Session
• Closing remarks

Opening Remarks

Representative Attorney Masataka Ogasawara expressed gratitude to those who have supported ZeLo since its early days and shared behind-the-scenes stories that could only be told now, reflecting on ZeLo's journey so far.

Chika is Back!

Attorney Chika Minami, who had been with ZeLo since its early days, returned after approximately three and a half years following studies in the U.S. and a tenure at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

She played a central role in the event as the overall host and as the facilitator for the first part of the talk session.

Part 1: Special Talk Session

We welcomed three startup industry leaders to discuss key insights and experiences.

Facilitated by Attorney Chika Minami, the discussion covered two main topics:

Topic 1. If you could go back and give advice to yourself during your fundraising days, what would it be?

Topic 2. What business strategies are you currently implementing?

The first speaker was Naoki Aoyagi, CEO of newmo Inc., a company pioneering the taxi and ride-sharing industry. Founded in January 2024, newmo has already grown to over 1,000 employees and raised 18.7 billion yen in total funding.

Mr. Aoyagi shared insights on the challenges of operating in a regulated industry and fundraising strategies.

The second speaker was Yuka Iwasaki, CEO of YOUTRUST Inc., which operates a career-focused social networking service. In 2024, YOUTRUST received the Special Jury Prize at the Nippon Startup Awards 2024.

Ms. Iwasaki provided a behind-the-scenes look at fundraising without a CFO and how they created market-driven initiatives.

The third speaker was Nozomu Tsunoda, CEO of LegalOn Technologies Inc., which develops and provides legal software solutions. LegalOn raised 13.7 billion yen in a Series D round in June 2022, established a U.S. subsidiary in September 2022, and launched its UK services in October 2024.

Mr. Tsunoda discussed the company's global expansion strategy and how they choose new markets.

Although the session lasted only 40 minutes, it was packed with exclusive insights, captivating the audience throughout.

Part 2: Networking Session

Deputy Representative Attorney Nozomu Tsunoda kicked off the networking session with a toast. ZeLo attorneys actively participated, facilitating new connections among attendees.

The atmosphere was lively, with casual business discussions and enthusiastic exchanges taking place.

To Be Your Trusted Business Partner

The event concluded with closing remarks from Attorney Chika Minami. Even after the official ending, many attendees stayed behind to continue their conversations, making for a memorable evening.

ZeLo remains committed to strengthening its expertise in cutting-edge fields and supporting startups and businesses through our comprehensive group services, covering legal, intellectual property, labor and employment, corporate registration, and accounting/tax matters.

We also leverage AI and legal tech to provide efficient support not only to domestic clients but also to international companies entering Japan and Japanese businesses expanding abroad.

Through these initiatives, ZeLo aims to be a cornerstone of economic activities and a vital part of society’s infrastructure. We will continue striving to enhance legal efficiency and productivity for all businesses, shaping a future where legal operations seamlessly support corporate success.

We appreciate your continued support for ZeLo!

(Photos: Sawako Nezu, Written by: Nagisa Nakamura)