Who can participate in your programs and events?

Our programs and events are designed for a broad range of participants, including entrepreneurs, impact ventures, corporate innovation and sustainability teams, investors, foundations, universities, researchers, and ecosystem builders. Eligibility and format vary depending on the specific program or event.

How can I get involved with We Are The Impact?

You can participate in WATI programs and events, follow our Insights, explore partnership opportunities, or contact us directly if you are working on an impact venture, initiative, or area of shared interest.

Our Team

Driving Positive Change

Jade Wu

Founder & CEO

Jade Wu is an entrepreneur and impact leader focused on social innovation, impact entrepreneurship, and ecosystem development. As Founder & CEO of We Are The Impact, she leads the organization’s work across impact venture programs, partnerships, events, and ecosystem building in Japan and across Asia.

Her experience spans entrepreneurship, business media, community development, corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and cross-sector collaboration. Before founding WATI, she worked across initiatives connecting entrepreneurship, social impact, and community building in China and Japan.

Jade founded We Are The Impact in 2024 with the aim of connecting entrepreneurs, investors, organizations, and institutions around the development of ventures and initiatives capable of generating meaningful social and environmental impact.

Francis Shu

Co-Founder

Francis Shu is an entrepreneur and former financial markets professional with experience in cross-border business, financial infrastructure, and venture development.

Before entrepreneurship, he worked in the Financial Markets Department of Bank of China, Tokyo Branch, managing multi-currency liquidity through interbank funding, interbank deposits, and FX swaps.

At We Are The Impact, Francis focuses on strategy, finance, and venture development, helping turn impact opportunities into ventures grounded in commercial, financial, and institutional realities.

Our Story

We Are The Impact was founded in Japan in 2024 with a shared commitment to advancing positive social and environmental impact through entrepreneurship, innovation, education, and collaboration.

Our early work focused on connecting entrepreneurs, investors, organizations, and ecosystem partners through educational initiatives, events, and cross-border community building. As WATI has evolved, our work has expanded across impact venture development, research and insights, capital, and institutional collaboration while continuing to build connections across the wider impact ecosystem.

Today, WATI works at the intersection of ideas, ventures, capital, and social innovation—helping people and organizations move from intention toward structured action and long-term impact.

Milestones

May – December 2024

Foundation & Strategic Partnerships

We Are The Impact was founded in May 2024 to support impact entrepreneurship and strengthen connections across the impact ecosystem. During its first year, WATI developed relationships with organizations including Tokyo Innovation Base, Giving Tuesday Japan, and Tokyo Consortium, participated in entrepreneurship initiatives, and hosted its first major Impact Future Weekend event in October 2024.

January – December 2025

Expanding the Impact Ecosystem

In 2025, WATI expanded its activities through Impact Women Weekend, Impact Future Weekend, and Impact Global Dialogue, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and ecosystem partners from different sectors and markets. WATI also developed its Impact Venture Curriculum and expanded its work in impact entrepreneurship education and cross-border ecosystem building.

2026 and Beyond

From Ecosystem Building to Broader Impact Venture Development

In 2026, WATI continues to develop its work across impact entrepreneurship, venture programs, research and insights, events, and international ecosystem building. Our work increasingly connects entrepreneurship with capital, organizations, and institutions to support the development of meaningful impact ventures.

Impact Future Weekend 2026 Autumn, held as an official related event of Japan Weeks 2026, reflects this broader direction by bringing together finance, investment, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, business, and social innovation.

Our Partners & Ecosystem

Get in Touch

Start a Conversation

Talk With WATI

Whether you are exploring an impact venture, interested in a partnership, attending one of our events, or simply want to learn more about WATI, we would be glad to hear from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started with We Are The Impact

Exploring Our Platforms and Programs

We Are The Impact is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering positive social and environmental impact creation. We work with entrepreneurs, organizations, investors, and ecosystem partners through impact venture programs, research and insights, events, and cross-border ecosystem building. Our work connects entrepreneurship, capital, innovation, and collaboration to help ideas and ventures move toward meaningful and sustainable impact.