This seminar is the second installment of the creator-focused seminar series hosted by the “ars●bit Project.”
This session features guest speakers: Tahei Shii, a contemporary artist and CEO of Startburn Inc., which supports the authenticity assurance and value preservation of artworks utilizing blockchain technology; and Hiroyuki Jinno, a venture capitalist deeply involved in investing in and supporting the growth of startups as a partner at Money Forward’s HIRAC FUND. Together, they will delve into discussions about the economic sustainability of artists and creators in today’s world where art and technology converge.
Reservations for this event are being accepted via Peatix.
▼Seminar Overview
■Event Name:
Creator Practice Seminar Series: FIND YOUR VALUE
Session 2: Creators and Money
■Date & Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025. Doors open at 14:00, starts at 14:30 (approx. 1 hour)
■Location: 404 Not Found (Shibuya Sakura Stage SHIBUYA SIDE 4F, 1-4 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku)
■Participation Fee: Free, advance registration required
■Capacity: 50 people
■Speakers:
Tahei Shii (Contemporary Artist, Representative Director, Startburn Inc., Adviser of Japan Creator Support Fund)
Hiroyuki Jinno (Partner, HIRAC FUND)
▼Lecturer Profiles
Tahei Shii
Artist, entrepreneur. Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science. After over 10 years as an artist following graduation from Tama Art University, he founded Startburn Inc. on the University of Tokyo campus in 2014 while enrolled in graduate school. The company provides infrastructure for ensuring the authenticity of art and preserving its value. He has served as Representative of Tokyo Art Beat and as a committee member for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Previously curated art exhibitions including “Fuji Exhibition,” “SIZELESS TWIN,” and “Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa.” Major publications include the Heibonsha Shinsho book “New Forms of Art.”
Hiroyuki Jinno
Partner at HIRAC FUND. After graduating from a liberal arts college in the U.S., joined Barclays Securities Japan Ltd. Engaged in M&A and fundraising advisory services within the Investment Banking Division. Joined HIRAC FUND in October 2020, handling investment operations and fundraising. As of July 2025, he oversees investments in 23 companies and serves as an outside director for 3 of them.
▼Talk Themes (Tentative)
■The Relationship Between Technology and Creation
How technological evolution impacts artists’ revenue structures and the distribution of their works.
■The Future of Creation, Society, and Economy
What role should creation play within society and the economy, and how can artists and creators thrive within this context?
■Economic Sustainability and New Revenue Opportunities for Artists/Creators
How can artists and creators leverage technology to sustain their activities economically and create new revenue opportunities?
▼Related Information
■About the ars●bit Project
Beyond Creaters Project “ars●bit” is a collaborative initiative between the annual contemporary art × indie game exhibition series “art bit,” held at Hotel Anterum Kyoto since 2021, and the new indie game sanctuary “404 Not Found,” which opened in July 2024 at Shibuya Sakura Stage in Tokyo. It is a multifaceted project centered around games/play, supporting the discovery, development, and global challenges of unprecedented cross-disciplinary artists/creators. play.
This project has now been selected for the “Creator/Artist Development Program (Fund for Strengthening the Foundation of Cultural and Artistic Activities)” and is finally launching in earnest. The “Fund for Strengthening the Foundation of Cultural and Artistic Activities” is a new fund established by the Japan Arts Council, an independent administrative agency. It is supported by subsidies from the Agency for Cultural Affairs and aims to provide flexible, multi-year support for nurturing the next generation of creators and artists, as well as strengthening the next-generation functions of cultural facilities that serve as venues for their activities and expression.
Based in Shibuya and Kyoto, key hubs for international exchange, this project will undertake diverse activities. These include supporting artwork creation through seminars, workshops, and creative jams for artists and creators; organizing exhibitions and events serving as platforms for presenting works domestically and internationally; and participating in major events like international game shows and art fairs. Through these efforts, the project aims to pioneer new markets originating from Japan and cultivate a cultural context.
■Organizer: Shibuya Asobiba Production Committee / 404 Not Found
■Supported by: Fund for Strengthening the Foundation of Cultural and Artistic Activities (Creator Development and Cultural Facility High Value-Added Support Project) | Japan Arts Council