Expanding Career Options for Students Through Business Succession Education

The landscape of career choices for students has grown significantly, with opportunities in entrepreneurship, employment, and study abroad. Yet, one area that often goes unnoticed is the concept of taking over existing valuable businesses. In Japan, a substantial number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle with succession planning, leading to the closure of businesses due to the lack of successors.

To address this, MAny, a business succession platform operated by Sirbe Inc., has teamed up with Seikei University’s Seikei Startup Studio starting July 1, 2026. This partnership aims to educate students about business management and succession as viable career options, providing a platform for them to learn, engage, and experience the realities of business management.

Context Behind the Initiative

Despite the increased variety of career paths for students, hands-on experience regarding the succession of existing businesses is lacking. Often, students have little opportunity to engage with the realities of inheriting and managing a business during their formative years. Without exposure, students cannot make informed choices about their future.

Business succession is not an isolated topic—it encompasses essential aspects of decision-making, organizational structure, and relationship management with stakeholders. Through this collaboration, Many aims to introduce succession as an integral part of the business education curriculum for students.

Core Components of the Partnership

Starting from July 1, 2026, the collaboration will focus on several key areas:

- Lectures and Seminars: Offering classes on business succession and mergers & acquisitions to enhance business literacy.
- Networking Opportunities: Creating avenues for students to connect with entrepreneurs, successors, and industry professionals, thereby fostering an alumni network.
- Practical Engagement: Providing internships and hands-on projects for students to participate in real business activities.
- Job Search Support: Co-developing resources that incorporate business succession into career development content.
- Ongoing Financial Support: Continuous funding for the Seikei Startup Studio through Sponsors Boost Inc..

Meaning of This Experience for Students

While academics are paramount, this initiative seeks to supplement student learning with unique experiences that resonate beyond a classroom. Students will have the chance to converse with entrepreneurs, observe real business environments, and potentially get involved in business activities themselves—insights that are rarely afforded to them through traditional education.

Even if some students are not particularly interested in business succession, merely engaging in this environment may spark an interest in management or business that could be beneficial for their resumes. Our goal is to create a fun and positive atmosphere where students can explore various possibilities.

Comments from Stakeholders

Yuki Sugisawa, CEO of Sirbe Inc., reflects on his extensive experience working with business owners and recognizes the unfortunate trend of viable businesses being shuttered due to a lack of successors. He emphasizes that the initiative should not pressure students but rather allow them to discover the joys of engaging with business firsthand.

Junsei Kido, the founder of Seikei Startup Studio, points out the importance of equitable access to valuable information that could prevent missteps in students’ career paths. This collaboration aims to bridge the information gap that exists among students.

Yuto Sasanuma, a sophomore at Seikei University, notes that the synergies created by this partnership could vastly broaden the horizons for students with entrepreneurial dreams. By interacting with successful business leaders, students can gain invaluable experiences that facilitate their personal and professional aspirations.

Future Prospects

This partnership with Seikei University’s Seikei Startup Studio serves as a promising starting point. Through seminars, networking events, and engagement with actual business activities, this initiative strives to create meaningful experiences for each student. The goal is to gradually increase opportunities for students to interact with management and business environments. Many remains committed to delivering new possibilities through business succession in society.

Learn more about the Many service here.