TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar 2025 – Final Presentation

On December 7, 2025, the final presentation of the TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar 2025 was held at the Boeing Japan Headquarters. Now in its 15th year, the program supports students from high schools, vocational schools, technical colleges, universities, and graduate schools across Japan in developing entrepreneurial skills and leadership. This year, the program was refreshed with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, enabling participants to integrate technical knowledge with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Following the hackathon event in September, participants continued to tackle solution-focused projects in small teams. With guidance from mentors, each team delivered a three-minute presentation at the final event, shared their learning and growth throughout the program, and engaged in Q&A sessions with judges to discuss their product’s value and social impact.
Distinguished guests and judges included Eric John, President of Boeing Japan, representatives from AE Ventures and Boeing Ventures, and the Commercial Officer from the U.S. Embassy, Tokyo. Participants benefited from direct feedback with both domestic and international perspectives.

 

The awards presented at the final event were as follows:

• Best Overall – “Wild Spot: Your Adventures in Neighborhood”
  An educational product designed for children and adults. The team was recognized for its contribution to biodiversity, potential to address global challenges, and high level of technical implementation.
• Product Award – “Smart Patients: Empower Patients with Knowledge”
  A practical app addressing medical challenges. The product provides value to both B2B and B2C users, and its demonstration effectively conveyed the usefulness of providing medical information to consumers.
• Team Award: “Stera — The Alarm That Sees Your Day”
  Through remote collaboration, the team built on their hackathon ideas and delivered an excellent final presentation despite changes in team members. Their product, addressing mental health and sleep challenges, was highly praised.
• Presentation Award – “TomoMeet: Real Connections Made Easy”
  An app designed to streamline networking at in-person events. The team improved the traditional business card exchange process, and the product was highly valued for its core functionality and applicability in both Japan and the U.S.
• Global Impact Award –” Poco Trip – Side Trip Concierge”
  A product focused on improving and streamlining travel experiences. The team effectively identified user needs, and their innovative recommendation feature based on mood received special recognition.

Additionally, three students who will participate in the upcoming U.S. training program were announced at the final event. Selection was based on their growth and contributions to their teams and the program. They are scheduled to visit the Seattle area in March.

 

Participant Mitsuki Tanoue reflected on his experience as follows:  “The biggest challenge was balancing technical feasibility with a compelling story for solving social issues. While I usually approach problems from an engineering perspective, working with diverse team opinions made me realize that the most technically advanced solution is not always the right one for users. When discussions reached a standstill, visualizing ideas without dismissing each other’s perspectives helped guide our team forward, which was a valuable experience.”
Through the program, participants not only enhanced their technical skills but also experienced the value of collaboration, self-expression, and communication. The lessons and experiences gained in this short period will serve as a significant foundation for their future academic and professional endeavors.