Soil Partners with University Coalition to Promote Cooperative Capitalism Through Startup Support

Supporting Social Entrepreneurs: Soil and the University Coalition

The Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Soil, based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has announced a surprise initiative in collaboration with a university coalition aimed at promoting cooperative capitalism. This collaboration is part of the “Soil x University Coalition” project, designed to empower non-profit startups and social entrepreneurs.

Soil has previously partnered with prestigious institutions like the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, conducting workshops and grant programs to support students tackling social issues. This latest initiative broadened its reach, aiming to connect students from different universities to foster a cooperative spirit and collaborative problem-solving. The workshops offer participants an invaluable opportunity to meet like-minded peers, learn from successful entrepreneurs, and engage in hands-on activities centered around entrepreneurship.

Workshop Program Overview

Set to take place over two days at the Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo on June 28 and 29, 2025, the workshops will feature lectures from seasoned social entrepreneurs, covering critical topics such as the significance of social entrepreneurship, effective business planning, and the intricacies of launching a startup.

Requirements for Participants

The program targets undergraduate and graduate students from universities in the coalition, excluding research students and auditors. Ideal candidates will have a keen interest in social contribution and entrepreneurship, with a readiness to actively participate and collaborate during the workshops.

Workshop Schedule:

- Date & Time: June 28-29, 2025, from 10 AM to 6 PM
- Location: Komaba Campus, University of Tokyo
- A networking event is planned for the evening of the first day.
- Capacity: Approximately 80 participants
- Cost: Free, with travel expenses reimbursed for participants coming from outside the Kanto region.

Program Highlights

The workshop will include:

- Informative talks by successful social entrepreneurs.
- Insights into the current role and importance of social entrepreneurship.
- Practical sessions on formulating business plans targeting social issues.
- Collaborative group work with mentor support for developing ideas.
- Feedback and refinement sessions to enhance participants' projects.

Guest Speakers Include:

- Hyung-sik Lee (Representative Director of Learning for All)
- Yusuke Mizuno (CEO of Life is Tech, Inc.)
- Additional workshops will feature industry experts such as Masaki Kawai (CEO of UNERI) and Yutaka Ito (KMFG Representative). Please note that the program schedule and guest speakers are subject to change.

Mentorship Opportunities

After the workshop, participants can seek deeper learning through mentorship provided by practiced entrepreneurs. This mentoring will cater to individual challenges and refine business ideas. Detailed arrangements will be provided during the workshops.

Soil 100 Initiative

Out of workshop participants seeking to propel their ideas towards actualization, up to five teams will receive a grant of 1,000,000 yen alongside a three-month mentoring program called “Soil 100” scheduled from October to December 2025. The selection process will require a subsequent application following the workshop.

University Coalition Overview

The coalition, formed on February 17, 2025, comprises 14 universities, including the University of Tokyo and Sophia University, aims to transcend geographical boundaries, facilitating synergy and collaboration among students and institutions in their entrepreneurial efforts.

For more about the coalition: University Coalition

About Soil

Soil aims to alleviate the financial constraints non-profit startups face during their nascent stages, providing substantial grants and growth support. The organization prioritizes initiatives that, while not necessarily profitable, offer significant societal value. To date, Soil has allocated approximately 150 million yen across around 50 projects.

For more information, visit Soil's official website: Soil Foundation