Accelerating Business Development: New Practical Program Launches in 2026

In March 2026, PERSOL Career and Mori Building are set to launch an innovative business development program known as the "ARCH New Business Dojo 2026". This initiative is tailored exclusively for member companies associated with the ARCH Incubation Center, aimed at overcoming common challenges faced by large corporations in new business creation. Despite the increasing efforts by leading companies to innovate, it's reported that less than half successfully transition from business inception to market launch.

Background and Purpose

The decision to create this program stems from the urgent need for established companies to navigate the complex landscape of innovation and market needs. Internal resources alone often fall short of accurately capturing market demands, creating a gap that this program intends to fill. In 2024, ARCH and PERSOL Career collaborated on a short-term, intensive group-based program known as ARCH Dojo, which shifted away from traditional theoretical training, focusing instead on practical applications to create business models and validate their viability.

The 2026 iteration brings an enhanced curriculum that necessitates the participation of decision-makers at the managerial level or higher, thus facilitating smoother transitions into business implementation and investment decisions.

Key Features of ARCH New Business Dojo 2026

1. Dedicated Mentorship from Professional Talent
The program will be guided by seasoned professionals from the HiPro database, who possess a strong track record of successfully guiding new businesses to achieve Product-Market Fit (PMF). These mentors blend an understanding of the unique rationalities underlying large corporations with the agility typical of startups, ensuring effective support in refining business models and strategies.

2. Thorough Hypothesis Testing Utilizing Expert Knowledge
To avoid theoretical dead ends, the program incorporates expert interviews, leveraging insights from the HiPro database. Each participating team will engage with industry experts and relevant customer demographics to perform real-world hypothesis testing, thereby validating their business concepts against the current market challenges.

3. Organizational Consensus Involving Senior Management
To foster a collaborative atmosphere and prevent isolation among team members, the program mandates the participation of decision-makers from Day 1 (Kickoff) and Day 6 (Results Presentation). Aligning perspectives early on is designed to facilitate a smoother journey post-program into business realization and investment decisions.

Program Overview

- Name: ARCH New Business Dojo 2026
- Duration: Early March 2026 - End of June 2026 (approx. 3.5 months)
- Format: Six workshops plus bi-weekly group mentoring
- Target: Member companies of ARCH (up to 10 companies) with a maximum of one senior manager and two team members per company
- Participation Fee: 1.5 million JPY (excluding tax)

Curriculum Highlights

- Day 1: Selection of Target Areas (mandatory participation of senior management)
- Day 2: Generating and selecting business ideas
- Day 3: Verification of value proposition through customer and expert interviews
- Day 4: Drafting business models and business plans
- Day 5: Preparation of report materials (Stage Gate readiness)
- Day 6: Results presentation (mandatory participation of senior management)

Main Mentors

- Masato Imamura (CEO of Third Base and former SoftBank consultant)
- Shintaro Yoshida (CEO of ARIA and recognized figure in achieving PMF with both large corporations and startups)

Please note that instructors and mentors are subject to change.

About ARCH

ARCH stands as the world’s first incubation center tailored for large enterprises seeking business reform and new business creation, with approximately 120 companies and 900 individuals engaged as of March 2026. By focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities that established firms encounter, ARCH provides substantial resources and networks to facilitate innovative business creation. The initiative is ambitiously operated by Mori Building, which aims to develop the Toranomon Hills area into a global business hub, in collaboration with WiL, a venture capital entity based in Silicon Valley.

About PERSOL Career

PERSOL Career is dedicated to empowering individuals in their professional pursuits through its various services, including the job search platform 'doda' and the HiPro service aimed at connecting businesses with freelance professionals. By addressing the evolving job landscape and offering tailored solutions, PERSOL Career strives to create value in the labor market and uplift every individual towards fulfilling careers.