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The 3rd Kosen Entrepreneur Summit: A Platform for Young Innovators

On February 23 and 24, 2026, the National Institute of Technology (Kosen) in Japan held the third edition of the Kosen Entrepreneur Summit at Hitotsubashi Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. This event, organized by the Kosen organization and Media Souken, attracted participation from 45 teams of Kosen students across the nation, who presented their business plans and engaged in networking opportunities.

What is the Kosen Entrepreneur Summit?

The Kosen Entrepreneur Summit is part of a startup support initiative that aims to gather aspiring entrepreneurs from Kosen institutions to showcase their business ideas. The event promotes collaboration among like-minded students and organizations interested in supporting Kosen entrepreneurs. Initiated in 2024, the summit has grown to include categories based on the progression of business ideas: the Idea Division, Prototype Division, and Startup Division to ensure greater participation.

Categories and Evaluation Criteria

This year, the summit received 93 applications from 35 campuses representing 33 schools. After a thorough document review, 45 teams were selected to participate. Each team had the opportunity to collaborate regularly with mentors to refine their business plans leading up to the summit.

Day 1: Building Connections

On the first day of the event, the opening ceremony featured remarks from the Kosen chairman, Katsumi Taniguchi, who emphasized the importance of embedding these business ideas in society and fostering collaborations with companies and regional administrations.

Prior to the opening ceremony, a poster session allowed enthusiastic discussions among participants, and during the networking session, students exchanged business cards and shared insights. This environment facilitated valuable connections.

Day 2: Presenting Business Ideas

The following day featured presentations divided into the three specialized divisions, alongside poster exhibitions open to general attendees. Presenters showcased a variety of styles, proudly standing at the podium or dynamically using the stage to engage the audience.

At the end of the day, the evaluations were announced:


The Best Award in the Startup Division was claimed by Okinawa Kosen with their innovative proposal called Neighbors Net, aimed at ensuring communication in disaster-stricken areas using devices connected through an LPWA ad hoc network. They expressed gratitude and a desire to continue step up their collaboration despite occasional disagreements during the development phase.

The Best Award in the Prototype Division went to Anan Kosen's Awanext, which proposed an automated laser weeding system. Their concept involves using laser beams emitted from vehicles aimed at drones to target weeds more effectively.

Key Takeaways and Future Prospects

Chair Akihiro Wakahara, Dean of Toyohashi University of Technology, provided insights during his summary, stating, “The determination of Kosen students to tackle social issues and their ability to bring to life innovative solutions is impressive. Entrepreneurship is not the end goal but a starting point; the entrepreneurship skills cultivated here will hold significant value for their future careers.”

Conclusion: A Community of Entrepreneurs

The enthusiastic participation of 45 teams at this year's summit signifies a thriving ecosystem of student entrepreneurs ready to address the theme of entrepreneurship. It is anticipated that this summit could lead to further collaborations and the establishment of a strong entrepreneurial community.

Event Information

• - Event: The 3rd Kosen Entrepreneur Summit
• - Date: February 23-24, 2026
• - Location: Hitotsubashi Hall, Chiyoda, Tokyo
• - Organizers: National Institute of Technology, Monthly Kosen (Media Souken)
• - Support: Ministry of Education, Toyohashi University of Technology, Nagaoka University of Technology, and various corporate sponsors

For more details, visit the official website: Kosen Startup Summit.