#Japan #Fukuoka #G's ACADEMY #ENTRE CAMP

G's Academy Workshop: Fostering Young Innovators in Fukuoka

In an exciting initiative from G's Academy, a leading program under Digital Hollywood Inc., high school students in Fukuoka City will engage in a series of workshops aimed at addressing local community challenges. Set to commence in May 2025, the 'ENTRE CAMP FUKUOKA' invites students from four municipal high schools to delve into the intersection of their personal values and community issues.

Background of the Initiative

Fukuoka City has been experiencing substantial population growth and a high business startup rate, making it one of Japan's prominent designated cities. However, according to the revised Fukuoka City Population Vision report, nearly 500 young people leave for the Tokyo area each year after high school, and over 1,000 after university—highlighting a significant brain drain challenge.

In response to this, and with the increasing demand for practical experience in business development and problem-solving in high school curriculums, this workshop was conceived. It aims to provide a real-world learning experience impacting students' understanding of entrepreneurship.

Overview of the Workshop

The three-day program will will include:

• - Collaboration with local entrepreneurs who will mentor students, guiding them in refining their ideas.
• - Distribution of two playbooks for educators, enabling them to implement similar projects in their schools.
• - An opportunity for participants to present their solutions at a pitch competition, gaining exposure to investors and the community.

Workshop Schedule and Enrollment Details

The workshops are slated for:

• - First Round: May 20 (Tue), May 23 (Fri), May 29 (Thu) from 09:00 to 16:00
• - Second Round: July 22 (Tue), July 24 (Thu), July 31 (Thu) from 09:00 to 16:00

Location: G's ACADEMY FUKUOKA
Eligibility: Fukuoka city public high school students from grades 1 to 3
Number of participants: 40 per session (Selections will be made if applications exceed this number)
Cost: Free
Application: G's Academy Website

An excellent selection pitch event will take place on September 14, 2025.

The Vision Behind the Program

Led by Naruki Goto, the program’s organizer and mentor, this initiative integrates exploratory learning with career education principles. Students will embark on a journey of self-discovery and community exploration while developing innovative business ideas. They will collaborate in diverse teams, enhancing crucial skills such as listening, problem identification, and presentation abilities.

The experiences and challenges these students face will embody a transformative growth narrative that transcends their high school years. Each participant will walk away with a novel perspective on how they can contribute to societal change, sparking a sense of empowerment that could dramatically shape their futures. Expect to be inspired as these young innovators breathe life into their ideas during the workshop!

About G's Academy

G's Academy, launched in April 2015 under Digital Hollywood, specializes in training engineers and entrepreneurs with the mission of cultivating 'GEEKS who change the world.' Approximately 80% of enrolled students aspire to start their own businesses or work in venture firms. Many students, starting with no programming experience, have gone on to successfully launch numerous services and secure funding from venture capitalists shortly after graduating. This thriving ecosystem has seen 115 startups emerge and a total of 15.7 billion yen raised as of April 2025.

To further support aspiring entrepreneurs, G's Academy has established the incubator 'D ROCKETS,' which can provide investments of up to 5 million yen. Located next to G's TOKYO BASE, D ROCKETS fosters collaboration between entrepreneurs and engineers, aiming to create groundbreaking services originating from Japan.

Additionally, Digital Hollywood University ranks 13th nationwide for the number of university-led ventures, showcasing a robust pipeline of entrepreneurial talent.