Okayama University Startup Venture Shines at Okayama Startup Scrum Event

Okayama University Venture Highlights at the Okayama Startup Scrum

On September 9, 2025, Okayama University proudly participated in the inaugural Okayama Startup Scrum, held at the Okayama Convention Center. This event was organized by Okayama City with the aim of supporting startup business growth, promoting collaboration with local enterprises, and creating investment opportunities. It attracted approximately 500 attendees, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with the entrepreneurial spirit.

The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and pitches from 15 startups, along with booth exhibits. Notably, two ventures from Okayama University took center stage during the pitch session: ABABA, represented by Shunki Kubo from the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies, and Aqzoo, represented by Ryotaro Horiuchi from the Graduate School of Health System Integrated Sciences.

ABABA is innovating the recruitment process by utilizing experiences from job hunting and final interviews to establish optimal matching between students and companies. This service not only aids students in their job search but also streamlines the recruitment process for businesses, showcasing the potential of university-originated ventures.

Aqzoo, on the other hand, has developed a new platform that delivers an immersive aquarium experience to people unable to visit physical aquariums. Through online streaming, Aqzoo creates engaging and educational content, bringing the beauty of marine life directly to audiences, regardless of their location. Both of these ventures garnered significant attention from participants, firmly establishing the potential of startups emerging from Okayama University.

Additionally, Okayama University set up an exhibition booth where they introduced several initiatives, including the Co-Creation Innovation Lab, KIBINOVE, and the upcoming R&D Showcase event scheduled for December 2, 2025. This showcase aims to present research findings in an accessible manner and facilitate further collaboration.

The university has also partnered with Okayama City to establish the Okayama Innovation Consortium, which focuses on building an innovation ecosystem within the region. The Okayama Startup Scrum is a testament to their ongoing efforts towards fostering a collaborative environment in the startup scene.

Looking ahead, Okayama University continues to support the growth of university-based ventures and the development of the regional startup ecosystem. The university aspires to become a cornerstone of innovation that connects the local community with the global landscape. The initiatives of Okayama University, a research institution renowned for its unique characteristics and community engagement, are poised to foster exciting developments.

In conclusion, the inaugural Okayama Startup Scrum highlighted the ventures of Okayama University and the vibrant startup ecosystem of Okayama City. The excitement generated at the event serves as a promising indicator of the future potential for collaboration and innovation in the region.

For more insights on the participating startups and future events, feel free to visit the following links:

As this journey unfolds, join us in期待する the promising developments from Okayama University and its ventures, as they aim for a bright future intertwined with innovation and collaboration.