Venture Café Fukuoka, the sister organization of U.S.-based startup support company Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), held its inaugural "Thursday Gathering" at the startup hub Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN). The event brought together entrepreneurs, students, and creators, with presentations by KOALA Tech, a developer of organic semiconductor lasers, and Booon, a Nagasaki-based company specializing in insect-derived animal feed. Discussions centered on the appeal of Fukuoka for startups. Around 300 people, including online participants, joined the event. These gatherings will take place weekly on Thursdays from 4 PM to 9 PM, offering free lectures and networking opportunities.