Owner Inc. Commissioned by Sendai City for 'Entrepreneurship Guest Lecture Program for Students', Conducts Model Class at Sendai Johoku High School

Owner Inc. has been commissioned by Sendai City's Startup Support Division for the 2026 fiscal year project, "Operation of Entrepreneurship Guest Lecture Programs for Middle and High School Students."

Prior to the full-scale implementation of these lectures, the company conducted a model class at the Department of Science and Technology at Sendai Johoku High School (Taihaku Ward, Sendai City). The department aims to develop engineers who can utilize the latest digital technologies such as IoT and AI, and has established a new "Electronics and Programming Course" starting in fiscal 2026.

For the operation of this project, Owner Inc. collaborated with Sendai Johoku High School, Sendai City, and entrepreneurial instructors—all aiming to promote entrepreneurship education—to conduct this model class on May 25 (Monday) to generate early success stories and leverage them for effective publicity.

About the Sendai City project, "Entrepreneurship Guest Lectures for Students"

This is a new program launched by Sendai City in fiscal 2026 to hold guest lectures by entrepreneurs at middle and high schools within the city. The program features entrepreneurs with ties to Sendai, such as those from the city or those with headquarters in Sendai.

Entrepreneurship Education at Sendai Johoku High School

Sendai Johoku High School's Science and Technology Department focuses on cultivating engineers who solve societal problems. Students study fundamental knowledge in areas such as information communication, design, programming, and energy. By advancing to the affiliated Tohoku Institute of Technology, they can deepen their expertise and acquire practical skills as engineers.

A key feature of the high school is its collaboration with the university, offering opportunities to engage with university-level learning through events like "Techno-Forums" and "Academic Interns," where students visit university laboratories.

This entrepreneurship education was introduced to third-year students in the Electronic Machinery Course (which will become the Electronics and Programming Course from fiscal 2026). Regarding the goal, teacher Satoshi Suzuki stated, "In the coming 'VUCA era,' where society is changing rapidly, the ability to pose questions and take on challenges is vital. We want to realize entrepreneurship education through industry-academia-government collaboration, building on our existing partnerships with the Tohoku Institute of Technology."

Principal Shun Ito expressed high expectations for the entrepreneurship program. Sendai Johoku High School is designated for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's WWL (World Wide Learning) consortium support project and is actively engaged in global education. Principal Ito noted the link between global education and entrepreneurship: "We live in an age where the internet connects us to the world. Business plans using IT and AI can be a bridge to the world. This allows for a deeper form of global education than mere international exchange."

Principal Ito added, "Conventional career guidance only offered paths to higher education or employment, but I believe 'entrepreneurship' should be a new option. Today's high school students are digital natives who have grown up with smartphones. I expect to see more of them starting businesses using AI and digital tools as their weapons."

Business Plan Development over Three Weeks

Owner Inc. organized the program over three weeks. Atsuto Sasaki, President and CEO, served as the instructor, holding a workshop on entrepreneurial thinking on May 11, followed by a class on developing business plans to solve everyday problems on May 18. Students worked in groups to devise solutions using their information technology knowledge and created presentations using tools including AI.

On May 25, the students presented their ideas. Notable projects included:

- A "Lost Property Prevention App" that uses voice alerts when leaving.
- A "GPS Pet Collar" inspired by a relative's lost pet.
- A "Sleep Quality Improvement App" designed to help students overcome morning fatigue and boost study concentration.

Ryotaro Namba, CEO of shared Inc., which provides online education services in Sendai, participated as a commentator. He offered questions and advice on the inspiration behind the projects, the background of the identified problems, and how they differentiate from existing services.

To conclude the three-day program, Namba gave a lecture on his own entrepreneurial journey, detailing his experience after graduating from the Tohoku University School of Medicine and applying knowledge from neuroscience.