Fukui and Tokyo Combine Efforts to Support Next Generation Entrepreneurs

Seminar Overview

On June 9, 2026, the Fukui Industrial Support Center, in collaboration with the Tokyo project "Tuginotsugi," is set to hold the "Fukui Venture Creation Seminar in Tokyo" at the Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB). This seminar targets successor entrepreneurs interested in strategies for growth following business succession.

Agenda

Part 1: Keynote Lecture

Leading the first part will be Yoshitaka Yokoi, the representative director of Uniform Next Co., Ltd. He will share insights from his own journey—navigating the challenges of succeeding a family business and expanding it from a mere three employees to a publicly listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2017. This segment will illuminate growth strategies and the transition into new business ventures.

Part 2: Open Advice Session

In the second part, the seminar will feature an open consultation session, where participants can pose real-time challenges they face as successor entrepreneurs. In collaboration with the Tokyo initiative "Tuginotsugi," Yokoi will provide immediate guidance to these business leaders, addressing practical issues they encounter.

Importance of the Seminar

This event serves as a valuable opportunity for successor entrepreneurs to conceptualize their next growth phase after taking over businesses. With insights from municipal and support organizations involved in venture and startup assistance, participants can engage in discussions about fostering regional enterprise growth and approaches to second-generation startups.

Background of the Event

Fukui Prefecture has been active in promoting support for growth-oriented businesses and entrepreneurs, offering tailored assistance that matches their developmental stages. Unlike Tokyo, where a myriad of supports are readily available, local environments often lack such expansive resources. Nevertheless, specific assistance has developed to help with real challenges in organization building and sales strategies, helping businesses navigate their growth processes effectively.

The seminar aims to share this commitment to confronting the genuine challenges faced by entrepreneurs, focusing on Tokyo-based successor entrepreneurs and regional growth support stakeholders. The collaboration with the "Tuginotsugi" project aims to create new platforms for supporting successor entrepreneurs' endeavors.

Advantages for Participants

By attending this seminar, participants will have the opportunity to:
1. Learn Decision-Making Criteria: Gain insights on how to manage existing businesses while venturing into new territories.
2. Engage with Real Issues: Participants can discuss their business difficulties directly, learning from others in similar situations.
3. Receive Practical Advice: Engage with a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully navigated the complexities of business succession and growth.

Insights for Venture and Startup Support Professionals

This seminar is not solely focused on successor entrepreneurs but also provides insightful content for professionals working to support startups and ventures. The experiences shared may enlighten methods for identifying and nurturing existing companies and their new ventures, fostering regional growth opportunities.

Participants will witness firsthand accounts of successful business growth post-succession and engage in problem-solving discussions about real challenges faced by successor leaders.

Program Schedule

- 13:30-13:40: Opening & Introduction to Fukui’s Initiatives
- 13:40-14:20: Part 1: Keynote lecture by Yoshitaka Yokoi
- 14:20-14:25: Break
- 14:25-15:25: Part 2: Open advice session with community members
- 15:25-15:30: Closing
- 15:30-16:00: Networking Time

Who Should Attend

This seminar is designed for:

- Succession entrepreneurs exploring future growth strategies
- Business leaders looking to launch new initiatives or second-generation startups
- Entrepreneurs facing challenges in organizational development and sales strategies
- Municipal and support organization professionals in the startup assistance realm
- Those interested in regional growth models and mentorship styles of support

Event Details

- Name: Fukui Venture Creation Seminar in Tokyo: Seminar & Open Advice Session
- Date: June 9, 2026, 13:30 to 15:30
- Location: Tokyo Innovation Base, Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
- Format: In-person and online
- Capacity: 50 in-person, 100 online
- Participation Fee: Free
- Host: Fukui Industrial Support Center
- Co-host: Fukui Prefecture
- Special Assistance: Tokyo Innovation Base
- Linked Program: "Tuginotsugi" project

For registration, please visit: Registration Page

Profile of the Speaker

Yoshitaka Yokoi

Position: CEO, Uniform Next Co., Ltd.

- Born in 1972 in Fukui Prefecture. After graduating from Kanazawa University, he worked at Heiwado before joining the family business, now known as Uniform Next, in 1997. Under his leadership, the company expanded from revenues of 40 million yen to 2 billion yen and increased employees from 3 to 10. He became CEO at 35 and entered the e-commerce market, implementing customer-centric strategies, product expert support, and a concept based on the Lanchester Strategy, leading to the company's IPO in July 2017.

About Tuginotsugi

"Tuginotsugi" is a Tokyo initiative that supports second-generation startups post business succession, empowering successor entrepreneurs to explore new challenges and business growth.

About Fukui Industrial Support Center

This public support organization aids businesses in Fukui with startup guidance, management innovation, market expansion, and IT & DX promotion, guiding growth-oriented businesses through experience-driven support programs.