Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Soil and Osaka Business Development Agency Co-host Social Entrepreneurship Workshop; Participation Entry Opens for Students and Young Professionals in Kansai Region

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Soil (address: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Tetsushi Hisada, hereinafter referred to as Soil), which supports non-profit startups, will co-host with the Osaka Business Development Agency (hereinafter referred to as Osaka Business Development Agency) a "Startup Workshop for Social Issue Resolution + Grant Program Soil 100" targeting students and young professionals in the Kansai region.

Special Website: https://www.osaka-startup.com/program/startline/social-impact-workshop/

Soil has previously partnered with the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and a university consortium aiming to realize a mutual-aid capitalism, to support young people aspiring to solve social issues. This time, aiming for further regional expansion and enhancement of support, Soil has teamed up with the Osaka Business Development Agency, which operates the "Osaka Innovation Hub," a base for entrepreneur support in Kansai.

This program provides a two-day intensive workshop to formulate business plans. In addition, for those aiming for commercialization, including those before and after starting a business, it offers a grant of up to 1 million yen and a three-month mentoring program "Soil 100." Soil 100 will be provided to up to 5 selected teams.

Through the collaboration between Osaka Innovation Hub and Soil, leaders who create sustainable social impact will be nurtured from Kansai.

## Workshop Program Details

This is a two-day program where participants can give shape to their ideas and passions through lectures by social entrepreneurs, business plan formulation lessons, and group work.

View Special Website

1. Target Audience (those who meet all the following conditions)

- Students, graduate students, and researchers residing in Kansai or belonging to a university in Kansai.

- Working professionals within 3 years of graduating from a Kansai university (under 30 years old).
*Definition of Kansai: 8 prefectures and 4 cities affiliated with the Kansai Wide Area Union (Shiga Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture, Tokushima Prefecture, Kyoto City, Osaka City, Sakai City, Kobe City).

- Those interested in social contribution and social entrepreneurship, actively wishing to engage, or already engaged in such activities.

- Those who can attend all day on both days and actively participate.

2. Date and Venue

- Date: Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:00 to 18:00 each day (*Networking event planned after the first day)

- Venue: Osaka Innovation Hub, Grand Front Osaka Knowledge Capital Tower C, 7th floor, 3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City

3. Capacity

Approximately 40 people (if there are many applications, a lottery will be held)

4. Participation Fee

Free of charge
Travel expenses will be supported for participants from distant areas (those residing in Tokushima, Tottori).

5. Lecturers and Guests (scheduled)

- Lectures: Noriaki Imai (Chairman, Certified NPO D x P), Fujio Kojima (Founder/CEO, Pirika Inc.)

- Lecture: Masaki Kawai (Representative Director CEO, UNERI Inc.)

6. Application Method

Application Form: https://forms.gle/BXHxuF1ByLoTXihs6
Application Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 23:59

7. About the Online Information Session

An online information session is also scheduled for those who want to know more about past workshops conducted by Soil or have questions to confirm in advance.

- Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 19:00 to 20:00

- Application: https://forms.gle/PYxGqqq9FsDJ6gbLA

- Application Deadline: Until noon on May 19 (the day of the event)

Join the workshop

Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 23:59

## About the Grant Program "Soil 100"

Among the workshop participants, up to 5 individuals or teams aiming for commercialization will be selected and provided with the following support. Adopted participants can receive support related to business commercialization and use of the "Osaka Innovation Hub," a startup support base in Osaka City. Separate registration as a startup member is required to use the Osaka Innovation Hub.

### Support by Soil 100

- Grant of up to 1 million yen per team

- Three-month hands-on mentoring support for business planning and expansion

View Special Website

## About the Osaka Business Development Agency

The Osaka Business Development Agency aims to foster entrepreneurs who are active globally and create new industries from Osaka and Kansai. It operates the "Osaka Innovation Hub," a startup support base, and promotes the establishment of Osaka's startup ecosystem and the challenges of young talent through various programs, including "START LINE OSAKA."

Osaka Innovation Hub Official Website: https://www.innovation-osaka.jp/ja/
This workshop is a program under START LINE OSAKA.