Fukuoka's Demo Day: Connecting Student Engineers with Local Companies

Fukuoka's Engaging Demo Day for Aspiring Engineers

On January 16, 2026, Fukuoka City is set to host an exciting event for budding engineers—the final presentation day of the digital talent development initiative called the "Next Engineer Catapult." Organized by Digital Hollywood Co., Ltd., which runs educational programs in IT and digital content, this occasion will allow student engineers to showcase their projects and receive internship offers from participating companies.

DETAILS OF DEMO DAY

The Demo Day will take place at Engineer Cafe, located in Tenjin, Fukuoka City, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. For those unable to attend in person, an online participation option is available. The day's agenda includes:

- Greetings from Fukuoka City representatives
- Opening remarks from the program director
- Presentations from eight student teams
- Feedback and internship offer sessions

Companies interested in attending and connecting with student engineers can register via a Google Form, available now until January 14, 2026. Participants will be sent an invitation email once their registration is confirmed.

REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPANIES

To ensure a supportive environment for students, participating companies must meet specific criteria:
1. Have a development hub within Fukuoka City (headquarters can be outside the city).
2. Offer paid internships.
3. Engage in activities that promote a nurturing atmosphere for employees and interns in engineering.

BACKGROUND OF THE PROGRAM

This initiative reflects Fukuoka City's goal to become a thriving hub for engineers—a place where they can gather, excel, and grow. The "Next Engineer Catapult" aims to address the concerning trend of local engineering graduates seeking opportunities outside the region. With approximately 60% of new graduate engineers leaving the city for jobs, this program provides essential practical training opportunities in web engineering, data science, and next-gen technologies, mentored by active industry professionals. This approach not only equips students with the necessary skills to thrive in their careers but also encourages their commitment to local businesses.

The culmination of this program follows a developmental kickoff on November 29 and 30. Student teams, mentored by engineers from Fukuoka-based IT and startup companies, have been diligently creating solutions aimed at tackling real-world business challenges with their original "data-utilization applications." Over the past 1.5 months, these students have honed their technical expertise through hands-on projects, ready to present their accomplishments at Demo Day.

ABOUT G'S ACADEMY

Formerly known as G's Academy, the educational institution G's offers a platform where people can harness technology, innovate, and create change. Interestingly, around 80% of its graduates aspire to launch startups or work in ventures, with a record of establishing 116 startups and securing over 16.1 billion yen in funding by December 2025.

Moreover, to encourage entrepreneurship, G's Academy has launched an incubation program, "D ROCKETS," that can provide investments of up to 5 million yen to promising startups. By fostering a collaborative environment between entrepreneurs and engineers, the academy is playing a pivotal role in generating transformative services from Japan. This initiative aligns with Digital Hollywood University's achievement in ranking 15th nationally for the establishment of university-led ventures, showcasing its commitment to empowering future business leaders.

With the Demo Day on the horizon, the anticipation is palpable among the student engineers and the local companies eager to discover Fukuoka's next top engineering talents. This remarkable event is more than just an occasion for presentations; it’s a step towards building a sustainable tech community in Fukuoka.