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Celebrating Innovation: Okayama University Students at the National Campus Venture Grand Prix

On February 24, 2026, the 22nd National Campus Venture Grand Prix took place in Tokyo, where two promising students from Okayama University represented the Chugoku region. Kentaro Fushitani, a junior from the Faculty of Engineering, and Shodai Morimoto, a fourth-year student in the Department of Health Sciences, earned their spot at this prestigious national stage after winning the Excellence Award at the Chugoku Campus Venture Grand Prix in 2025.

The National Campus Venture Grand Prix is a significant event that highlights innovative student-led business plans from various universities. Competing teams from across the country presented their ideas, assessed based on their viability, social impact, and potential for growth. Fushitani and Morimoto approached their presentations with fresh perspectives aimed at addressing regional and societal challenges.

Fushitani's proposal focused on making robot deployment easier through a local co-creation model of Robotics as a Service (RaaS). Meanwhile, Morimoto suggested support structures for new entrants into the healthcare and welfare sectors. Although they did not secure an award at the national level, the experience proved invaluable, providing them with insights and skills applicable to their future endeavors.

The initiative taken by Okayama University reflects a broader commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among its students. The university, through its Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization, actively supports entrepreneurship and commercialization efforts of both students and faculty. Moving forward, Okayama University aims to continue encouraging such challenges, nurturing talents that can generate new value for both local and broader communities.

The university's dedicated support structures include consulting services for startups and ventures, facilitating the development of viable business ideas into market-ready solutions. The efforts undertaken by Fushitani and Morimoto are part of this ambitious vision to position Okayama University as a competitive institution in the realm of innovation and research.

With a commitment to sustainable development, Okayama University aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), earning recognition including a special award from the government’s Japan SDGs Awards. As a core research university, it emphasizes sustainable co-creation and collaborative innovation, solidifying its role as a pivotal player in driving societal advancements.

As the world rapidly evolves, the entrepreneurial spirit displayed by students at the National Campus Venture Grand Prix symbolizes the future of business and innovation in Japan. With continued support from institutions like Okayama University, these students exemplify the next generation of leaders ready to tackle complex challenges and enhance societal welfare.

As they move forward, expectations soar not only for the individual careers of Fushitani and Morimoto but for the ongoing initiatives of Okayama University aimed at bridging the gap between education, research, and practical applications in the community.

Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting projects emerging from Okayama University as they continue to contribute significantly to local, national, and global innovation efforts.