Gaiax Partners with YMZOP to Launch Business Development Program for Students in Yamaguchi
In a notable new initiative, Gaiax, a prominent startup studio based in Tokyo, has announced a collaboration with YMZOP, a subsidiary of the Yamaguchi Financial Group. Together, they aim to engage high school and university students in Yamaguchi Prefecture through a unique business development program designed to foster entrepreneurial skills and creativity. This initiative, marking the third consecutive year of the program, has received endorsements from various educational and governmental entities in the region.
The program is structured in two main segments: a Basic Course and an Advance Course. The Basic Course focuses on ideation, where participants are encouraged to identify local challenges and devise solutions through product or service innovations. This phase culminates in a presentation before entrepreneurs, investors, and business supporters, providing students with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their ideas, with the option to participate in a business contest.
Following the Basic Course, motivated students can enroll in the Advanced Course, allowing them to collaborate directly with local companies through short internships. Here, they will identify real-world problems and apply their proposed solutions in practical settings, sharing their findings in a final report session.
This program is particularly appealing for students who:
Each course features distinct goals and characteristics:
To facilitate program interest, an optional pre-event will be held, featuring talks from past participants and workshops led by instructors, allowing potential attendees to learn more about the program's nuances.
Last year’s participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to connect with students from different institutions and gained insights into Yamaguchi businesses. They shared that the process of generating new ideas was transformative and that the support they received significantly aided their entrepreneurial journeys.
The Business Development Experience Program by Gaiax and YMZOP is a powerful platform for Yamaguchi’s youth to explore entrepreneurship while directly impacting their community. Engage, innovate, and challenge yourself away from conventional classroom environments to unleash your potential in the entrepreneurial world. For more information and application forms, please visit the respective links provided above.
Gaiax, founded in 1999, is committed to connecting people through various initiatives that tackle social challenges. Through synergies among academia, government, and the private sector, Gaiax aims to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets from a young age. The firm continues to evolve, actively investing and supporting startups while prioritizing community-driven solutions.
The program is structured in two main segments: a Basic Course and an Advance Course. The Basic Course focuses on ideation, where participants are encouraged to identify local challenges and devise solutions through product or service innovations. This phase culminates in a presentation before entrepreneurs, investors, and business supporters, providing students with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their ideas, with the option to participate in a business contest.
Following the Basic Course, motivated students can enroll in the Advanced Course, allowing them to collaborate directly with local companies through short internships. Here, they will identify real-world problems and apply their proposed solutions in practical settings, sharing their findings in a final report session.
Target Audience
This program is particularly appealing for students who:
- - Are interested in entrepreneurship, startups, or new business development.
- - Desire to connect with enthusiastic peers from other schools in the region.
- - Want to gain practical experience to support their academic or career aspirations.
Program Overview
Each course features distinct goals and characteristics:
| Item | Basic Course | Advance Course |
|---|---|---|
| ----- | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Overview | Discover and address societal challenges, create and validate solutions, and present to industry figures, with the option to enter a business contest. | Participate in short internships at regional companies, identify challenges, and present solutions in a final report. |
| Goals | Understand the appeal of startups, gain business development skills, and foster a proactive mindset. | Same as Basic Course. |
| Participants | High school, Technical College, University, and Graduate students in Yamaguchi Prefecture. | Same as Basic Course. |
| Capacity | Approximately 20 participants (selection process if applications exceed capacity). | Approximately 5-10 for internships, around 20 for presentations (with a selection process if needed). |
| Schedule | Various dates from August 9, 2025, to October 13, 2025. | Various dates from October 25, 2025, to February 14, 2026. |
| Location | Megriba Business Exchange Space and Ishi Hall in Yamaguchi City. | Same locations as Basic Course. |
| Instructors | Gaiax’s Startup Studio Division, known for fostering successful entrepreneurs, including five IPO founders. | Same as Basic Course. |
| Sign-up Information | More details to follow on how to apply online. The application deadline for the pre-event is July 5, 2025, and for the main program, July 25, 2025. | Same as Basic Course. |
| Additional Benefits | Access to an exclusive online community, mentor feedback sessions, and awards during the final reporting event. | Same as Basic Course. |
Pre-Event
To facilitate program interest, an optional pre-event will be held, featuring talks from past participants and workshops led by instructors, allowing potential attendees to learn more about the program's nuances.
Participant Feedback
Last year’s participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to connect with students from different institutions and gained insights into Yamaguchi businesses. They shared that the process of generating new ideas was transformative and that the support they received significantly aided their entrepreneurial journeys.
Conclusion
The Business Development Experience Program by Gaiax and YMZOP is a powerful platform for Yamaguchi’s youth to explore entrepreneurship while directly impacting their community. Engage, innovate, and challenge yourself away from conventional classroom environments to unleash your potential in the entrepreneurial world. For more information and application forms, please visit the respective links provided above.
About Gaiax
Gaiax, founded in 1999, is committed to connecting people through various initiatives that tackle social challenges. Through synergies among academia, government, and the private sector, Gaiax aims to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets from a young age. The firm continues to evolve, actively investing and supporting startups while prioritizing community-driven solutions.
Topics People & Culture）
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