Cultivating Global Entrepreneurs: A Success Story from Kyoto's Startup Program

In March 2026, ud.Japan, a prominent Japanese company, conducted a global entrepreneurship training program called the "Kyoto Global Entrepreneurship 2DAYs Program". This innovative initiative was carried out in collaboration with the non-profit organization, Kyoto Knowledge Industrial Creation Forest. Participants included entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners from over six countries, including Japan, showcasing the program's broad international appeal and ambition.

The program combined online learning with in-person workshops at the Open Innovation Cafe "KOIN" in Kyoto, providing a comprehensive 2-day practical experience. It earned an impressive 100% satisfaction rate, with participants rating their willingness to recommend the program at an average score of 9.0 out of 10.

The Global Entrepreneurship Landscape

The growth of startups has become essential for fostering new industries and innovations worldwide. As Asian and African markets increasingly appeal to global entrepreneurs, interest in international expansion within Japan has also escalated. Additionally, addressing borderless social issues and environmental problems has led to a rising demand for startups focused on solving these challenges.

Kyoto, known for its blend of traditional and innovative industries, coupled with an influx of international talent from universities, serves as a prime location for nurturing global entrepreneurs. This program effectively harnessed Kyoto's unique attributes to develop globally-minded entrepreneurs and connect them to an international ecosystem.

Program Details: Hybrid Design

The Kyoto Global Entrepreneurship program was designed to address local issues by redefining them as global challenges, ultimately promoting the creation of businesses with a worldwide impact. The original curriculum included a hybrid structure combining online pre-learning with in-person workshops. Throughout the two days, everything was conducted in a bilingual format to minimize language barriers and promote ease of understanding. The aim was not only to elevate practical skills but also to discover potential entrepreneurs and guide them towards actual business creation.

Day 1: Online (March 6, 2026)

1. Understanding the Basics of the Entrepreneurship Process
2. Problem Definition and Persona Design
3. Conceptualizing Solution Values

Day 2: In-Person (March 14, 2026, at KOIN)

1. Benchmarking
2. Business Model Development
3. Creation of Landing Pages
4. Final Pitch Presentation

Diverse Participation for a Global Perspective

The program featured a diverse array of participants, with 53.3% from Japan and 46.7% from various nations, including Mozambique, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Singapore. This mix significantly enhanced the program by allowing participants to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration across different cultures, broadening their global perspectives and fostering international networking.

Furthermore, the program attracted participants from various regions in Japan, contributing to the establishment of a thriving entrepreneurial community that spans beyond Kyoto.

Outstanding Outcomes: 100% Satisfaction and High Recommendations

The feedback collected through participant surveys was overwhelmingly positive. Every category received high ratings, particularly in "Understanding the Entrepreneurship Process" and "Ease of Participation in Lectures/Workshops," both scoring a perfect 5.0. This exceptional outcome reaffirms the program's practicality and effectiveness, as evidenced by participant comments such as:

- "The content was practical and immediately applicable."
- "Interactions with participants from diverse backgrounds were stimulating."
- "The program's structure and pace were excellent."
- "Learning about landing pages and pitching was particularly valuable."

The two days concluded with an emphasis on practical skills through a mix of coaching and workshops, all while ensuring participants' privacy was respected.

Future Prospects

The successful implementation of this program could not have been achieved without the support of Kyoto Knowledge Industrial Creation Forest, along with the active participation of all attendees. The hope is that this program has not only prepared participants for entrepreneurship but also served as a springboard for further action and connection.

Building on the insights gained and the high praise received, ud.Japan plans to expand its entrepreneurship programs across Kyoto, the Kansai region, and nationwide in Japan, aiming to contribute to the enhancement of the startup ecosystem and facilitate global connections.

Following the knowledge acquired through collaborations in Korea, India, and Indonesia, ud.Japan is committed to offering programs suited to the Japanese market. This includes multilingual entrepreneurship education in Japanese, English, and Korean, along with opportunities for cross-border programs.

Moving forward, ud.Japan will continue to partner with local governments, universities, businesses, and support organizations to create flexible program structures tailored to various objectives and phases of entrepreneurial development.

For those interested in implementing or co-creating entrepreneurship educational programs, please feel free to reach out to:

ud.Japan / UD IMPACT Inc.
Global Business Department
E-mail: [email protected]

Program Overview

- Program Name: Kyoto Global Entrepreneurship 2DAYs Program - Think Global. From KYOTO to the World -
- Organizer: Kyoto Knowledge Industrial Creation Forest
- Operator: ud.Japan (UDIMPACT / underdogs.)
- Dates: DAY 1: March 6, 2026 (Online) DAY 2: March 14, 2026 (KOIN, Kyoto)
- Target Audience: Under 40
- Participation Fee: Free
- Languages Used: Japanese & English

Company Information and Contact Details

(Japanese entity)

- Company Name: ud.Japan
- Location: 3-1-3 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Director: Kim Jong-hon
- Established: February 5, 2025

(Korean parent company)

- Company Name: UD IMPACT
- Location: 2F, 88-1, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Director: Kim Jong-hon
- Established: April 14, 2015

Main Business Activities:

- Planning and development of entrepreneurship educational content
- Project planning and management for industry-specific entrepreneurship/entrepreneurship education
- Management consulting for startup companies
- Consulting for corporate ESG/social contribution programs
- Global entrepreneurship education and local entrepreneurial leader cultivation