Ritsumeikan University's Students Launch Second Recruitment for Palette DX Initiative

The innovative team at Ritsumeikan University, led by second-year student Yasuki Terada, has officially announced the second recruitment phase for their bespoke DX cloud service, Palette, aimed at supporting small-scale educational institutions across various sectors, including learning schools, abacus classes, and sports schools.

Palette, developed by irodori, consolidates previously scattered operational tasks into a streamlined application tailored to the specific needs and operational flows of each educational entity. This service not only enhances efficiency but also allows educators to focus on their core teaching activities instead of administrative burdens.

The Response to Initial Demand

In the first recruitment phase, which introduced a minimum viable product (MVP) version, applications for five small-scale schools filled up in just three days, highlighting the urgent need for such a bespoke solution. Following this success, local SMEs reached out, expressing interest in adaptations of Palette for internal system development.

To address the gradual implementation, this second recruitment will help refine the service by verifying development costs, timelines, and error correction based on real-world usage. The official releases for Palette for Schools and Palette for Business are set for February and April 2026, respectively.

What is Palette?

Palette is conceptualized as a digital transformation partner for analog school management. It compiles essential student and parent details, attendance and entry/exit logs, billing, schedules, and instructor shifts into a singular, user-friendly platform. This allows for a seamless transition from traditionally paper-based and digital methods to an efficient, app-centered operation.

The aim is to create a solution that lets educators port their existing operational methods directly into the app without the need to adapt to unfamiliar systems.

Addressing Gaps in Smaller Organizations

As the rapid advancement of AI technology continues to be likened to a paradigm shift akin to the dawn of the Internet, many small-scale operators feel the increasing pressure to innovate while grappling with day-to-day operational demands. Often, these establishments lack the resources to fully embrace digital transformation due to time constraints imposed by administrative duties.

Palette seeks to fill this gap by thoroughly understanding the existing operational flow of each school. From trial to execution, it guides schools through a simple setup process that prioritizes the features that alleviate the most burdensome tasks first.

With Palette, schools can choose from three adaptive plans, each void of hefty initial fees typically associated with such systems, ensuring that small-scale institutions can embark on their DX journey without financial obstacles.

Palette Plans

1. Standard Plan - Priced at 4,980 yen/month, providing fundamental features to automate daily tasks.
2. Advanced Plan - At 9,800 yen/month, integrating commonly used tools like Slack and Google Calendar to enhance automation capabilities.
3. Enterprise Plan - For 22,000 yen/month, this plan allows for fully personalized smartphone applications without initial costs, making custom app development accessible.

How to Get Involved

The recruitment for the second phase is currently open, where five educational institutions and three companies can apply. Applicants will go through a five-step process leading to a free trial, ensuring that potential users can experience the service fully before committing to paid plans.

How to Apply

Educators and small business owners can apply using the following link: Application Form. The deadline is set for December 28, 2025, at 23:59.

Conclusion

Yasuki Terada, the visionary behind irodori, emphasizes that while the AI revolution presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation, many small educational institutions remain at risk of being left behind. Palette serves as an accessible bridge that makes digital transformation attainable by equipping educators with the right tools and support to successfully navigate these changes. By collaborating closely with administrators, the company believes that all schools can seamlessly transition into the digital age, ensuring no one is left behind.

For further details, visit Palette's official website at Palette by irodori.