#Japan #Tokyo #Deep Tech #Cross-Border Circuit #Godot

Breaking Inward Thinking: The 2026 Cross-Border Circuit Program

Today marks the launch of the 2026 Cross-Border Circuit program by Enfactory, a Tokyo-based company, aimed at breaking down inward thinking within organizations. The first term of this program features the rapidly growing deep tech company, Godot, which specializes in behavioral science and AI. The program invites participants to address the complex question of how to design organizations that can balance exploration and implementation.

Overview of the Cross-Border Circuit Program

In today's unpredictable world, organizations face pressing demands for innovations and updates that respond to societal changes. This program brings together teams composed of members from various companies to engage in a three-month challenge tackling real management issues faced by startups. Each team, comprising three to five individuals, will invest approximately 20 hours to conduct interviews, formulate hypotheses, and present solutions based on these challenges.

The first term, commencing today, will kick off a series of twelve terms scheduled throughout the year, focusing on impactful themes such as AI, regional revitalization, new business development, and organizational strategies. Each term will start with a kick-off meeting, utilizing a unique tool called ‘Transformation Asset Assessment’ to help participants visualize their internal strengths and limitations, thus encouraging introspective discussions that facilitate team building and collaborative problem-solving.

Upon completion, feedback from 74 participating companies and over 600 individuals has shown significant improvements in areas such as understanding of strengths and weaknesses, as well as an increase in willingness to take on challenges. Notably, a question regarding adherence to past practices received lower scores in follow-up surveys, indicating a shift towards a more agile and unlearned mindset among participants.

Featuring Godot: The Challenge Presenter for Term 1

During the first term (from July 1 to September 30), participants will join forces with Godot, which stands out for its innovative solutions that intertwine behavioral science with AI to stimulate growth in people and organizations. Godot has received global attention, having been the first in Japan to achieve the international standard for AI safety and reliability (ISO/IEC 42001), and it was recognized in Forbes Japan's list of 100 promising Japanese startups to watch in 2026.

The challenge set forth by Godot revolves around establishing effective communication and management frameworks that balance the dual objectives of exploration (0 to 1) and implementation (1 to 10). Participants will explore how to design these frameworks—including organizational design and evaluation systems—to foster employee growth.

Godot's HR and Sales Director, Yushiro Shimo, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting the growth of individuals and organizations through a continuous cycle of diagnosis, design, and execution, with their core service, the Wellbeing Canvas. Godot operates globally, with headquarters in Kobe, R&D in Vienna, and branches in Tokyo and New York.

Diverse Themes Across All 12 Terms

The 2026 Cross-Border Circuit offers a variety of business challenges tailored to participants' skills and objectives throughout the year. These themes include:

• - New Business Development: Exploring AI and IoT bedding business models (Ax Robotix) and designing new service proofs of concept (Unisock).
• - Marketing and Sales Expansion: Developing PR strategies utilizing regional resources (Rebe) or exploring new psychological service markets (Rapport).
• - Organizational Development: In addition to Godot, participants could tackle challenges related to maximizing synergy in group talent (KANAMEL).
• - Experiential Learning: Engaging with real-world environments through site visits for fieldwork (Gensen&Co) or senior healthcare visits (KMSI).

With numerous participants expected, this program's varied structure not only promotes cross-industry collaboration but also aims to broaden perspectives and enhance practical problem-solving skills. The timeline and challenge presenters for the 2026 program are detailed on the official Cross-Border Circuit webpage.

Conclusion

The Cross-Border Circuit not only embodies a dynamic approach to organizational development but also offers a platform for companies to engage innovatively with external partners. Enfactory continues to emphasize the importance of collaboration in overcoming unique challenges faced by modern businesses. Through this initiative, organizations can foster creativity, adaptability, and ultimately, a transformative learning environment.

For more information, visit the official Cross-Border Circuit webpage: Cross-Border Circuit.