High School and College Students Share the Progress Implementing Their Business Ideas

On May 22, 2021, a briefing session for Online Camp 2 of the tenth TOMODACHI – Keio SFC Entrepreneurship Seminar was held. 5 groups made up of 34 high school and college students shared their progress implementing their business ideas.

Funded by the Boeing Company, this educational entrepreneurship program was founded to foster the next generation of leaders who aspire to reconstruct, revitalize, and develop the future of Japan in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The program, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, has been held entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pre-seminars were held from October through December 2020. High school and college students who passed the selection process are currently participating in the program. During Online Camp 1, some groups merged into larger groups and revised their business ideas with the help of mentors and online lectures. During the Online Camp 2 briefing session on May 22, groups gave presentations on their progress and accomplishments. Each group is starting to take action in order to turn their business plans into a reality. Participants are utilizing surveys and a multitude of other methods to make revisions to their business plans based on the results.

An online conference is expected to take place in August to conclude the program. The conference will be a special opportunity for the participants to showcase their 5 months of work to program officials and special guests including entrepreneurs from the United States.