Spring Intern Program: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets in Students

On April 12th and 13th, 2025, STUDIO ZERO, the internal startup organization of Plaid (based in Tokyo), hosted a Spring Intern Program in collaboration with the company's new graduate recruitment team. This on-site event took place at Plaid's office located within the lush green area of GINZA SIX, targeting students who passed initial screenings for the 2027 graduating class.

The theme of this program was to encourage participants to develop and propose new business ideas tailored to STUDIO ZERO's clientele. Nearly half of STUDIO ZERO's team members actively participated as mentors, providing guidance on entrepreneurial growth, career planning strategies, and how to tackle various social challenges based on their personal experiences.

STUDIO ZERO has structured its mentorship to empower young talent by assigning them significant responsibilities within the organization. A noteworthy example is the involvement of Hirou Fukuoka, a graduate student from Nagoya University, who has been engaged as an intern while also serving as the recruitment head for the 2027 graduates, taking the lead on this internship program.

Program Schedule

Day 1 (April 12)

- 09:30~09:45: Introduction
- 09:45~11:00: Company & Mentor Introductions / Business Development Seminar
- 11:00~12:00: Lunch & Team Building
- 12:00~17:00: Workshops & Mid-Presentations (15:00~)
- 17:00~18:00: Panel Discussion
- 18:00~20:00: Dinner & 2-on-1 Mentorship
- 20:00~21:00: Optional Workshop

The morning of Day 1 focused on introducing the company and its mentors alongside a framework for developing new business models. Participants were fascinated by the diverse backgrounds and capabilities of the STUDIO ZERO staff. Lunch provided the opportunity for team bonding, essential for the collaborative work sessions that followed.

In the afternoon, participants engaged in intense discussions, crafting ideas while seeking advice from mentors. They utilized tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming and organized their thoughts on whiteboards or shared materials via monitors. When stuck, teams were encouraged to take coffee breaks to rejuvenate and refine their ideas.

During the mid-presentation, mentors pinpointed a lack of hypothesis-driven thinking and urged students to consider their commitment to the task seriously, providing constructive feedback that spurred enthusiasm and deeper discussions throughout the remainder of the day.

Panel Discussion

In a discussion led by Hidetoshi Nishina, mentors from Slogan Company joined to offer insights. When asked what is essential for a business leader, they noted that the ability to sustain operations even if all team members leave is paramount. Nishina emphasized the necessity of maximizing sustainable profitability in business leadership, highlighting the importance of the right mindset.

The day concluded with dinner alongside mentor-student 2-on-1 sessions. Here, mentors offered poignant critiques on students’ approaches, which were meticulously noted by students eager to improve.

Day 2 (April 13)

- 09:00~09:30: Mentor 2-on-1
- 09:30~15:30: Workshops & Lunch
- 15:30~15:45: Break
- 15:45~17:15: Final Presentations
- 17:15~17:30: Break
- 17:30~18:15: Panel Discussion
- 18:15~19:30: 2-on-1 with Mentors & Networking

Day 2 retained the enthusiasm from Day 1, starting with mentor-student 2-on-1 sessions to reflect on insights gained previously and set concrete goals for the day ahead. Following this, teams dedicated themselves to crafting their final business concepts and Profit and Loss Statements (P&Ls). Their collaborative spirit and focus culminated in a vibrant atmosphere, as they worked diligently until the last minute, showcasing remarkable growth.

During the final presentations, each team shared their polished business proposals, receiving accolades for the improved quality and feasibility of their models from both the visiting clients and mentors. The same mentors who previously offered critiques were visibly moved by the clear progress and dedication displayed by the students.

A panel discussion with representatives from Slogan Company, including Tsuji and Hasegawa, focused on career development, tackling questions from students about essential skills like logical thinking.

As the program wrapped up, students engaged in relaxed discussions with mentors during a networking event, reflecting on their experiences and insights. Feedback highlighted the value of the personalized mentorship approach and how it would influence their future career paths.

Fukuoka noted the internship's success, stating, "Seeing the participants' fulfilled expressions after the program was incredibly rewarding. The remarkable growth observed on day two was a joy for us all involved. We hope this experience significantly impacts their future career decisions."

At STUDIO ZERO, fostering a collaborative spirit while attracting diverse specialists is paramount to their mission of 'accelerating industrial and social transformation.' They eagerly await the next generation of passionate individuals to join the team and continue this significant journey.