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Gaiax Collaborates on Startup Creation Platform in Hokuriku

Gaiax, a notable company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has recently announced its participation as a research partner in the "Tech Startup HOKURIKU (TeSH)" initiative, aimed at promoting startup creation based on universities and technical colleges in the Hokuriku region, which encompasses Ishikawa, Toyama, and Fukui Prefectures. This initiative has received funding through the Startup Ecosystem Development Support Scheme, promoted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The project aims to foster a robust startup ecosystem by uniting the academic, governmental, and corporate sectors.

Objectives of the Initiative

In recent years, there has been a growing momentum for startup creation centered around universities and technical colleges across the nation, with the Hokuriku region now joining this movement. The area is rich in excellent research initiatives and industrial foundations, making it ripe for educational programs that nurture startup talent. The aim is to further systematize these efforts and establish a human resource development model that connects research with education.

Gaiax has extensive experience collaborating with various educational institutions and local governments across Japan, having developed entrepreneurial education programs targeting high school and university students. Through this new partnership, the company plans to capitalize on its insights and knowledge to create an entrepreneurial education model that connects high schools, universities, and local communities in the Hokuriku area.

Future Plans

From November 2025 to March 2028, Gaiax plans to design and evaluate educational programs that connect secondary schools, universities, and local companies. These programs aim to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among young people and broaden the base for startup creation.

You can find more information on the TeSH initiative at their official website: Tech Startup HOKURIKU

For further reading, refer to JST’s official press release about this initiative: JST Press Release

Gaiax's Commitment to Entrepreneurial Education

Gaiax has been committed to promoting entrepreneurship through collaborations across the board—including public, academic, and private sectors—targeting individuals from elementary school through high school. More details about their initiative and the educational materials used can be found at their website: Gaiax Entrepreneurship Education

Notable Collaborations and Achievements

Gaiax has successfully partnered with various local municipalities such as:

• - Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Utsunomiya, Tsukuba, Tokyo, Nagano, Nagoya, Hyogo, Kobe, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kochi, and Fukuoka.

Educational institutions involved include:

• - Asahikawa National College of Technology, Fukushima National College of Technology, University of Tsukuba, Musashino University, Ishikawa National College of Technology, and Nagoya University.

Additionally, the company has collaborated with several private enterprises including AlphaDrive, Itochu Corporation, Etic, NTT Docomo, Cisco Systems, and the Japan Finance Corporation.

Awards and Recognitions

Gaiax’s efforts in entrepreneurship education have been recognized through various accolades, such as:

• - 2021: Encouragement Prize at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Career Education Award.
• - 2022: The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (Grand Prize) at the same award ceremony.
• - 2024: Gaiax’s executive, Sasaki, appointed as the Entrepreneurship Promotion Ambassador by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
• - 2025: The head of Gaiax's entrepreneurship education department, Yoshikawa, also appointed as the Entrepreneurship Promotion Ambassador.

About Gaiax

Founded in March 1999, Gaiax, led by President Yuji Ueda, specializes in various sectors including social media services, sharing economy initiatives, web3/DAO businesses, and incubation services. Their headquarters is located at 2-5-3 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo. For more information about the company, visit Gaiax Official Website.