Aichi Sports Innovation Project: Enrollment Open for 2026 'Aichi Sports Future Co-Creation Lab' Talent Development Program Starting in September

Small Things Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Etsushi Tagami) announces the launch of the 'Aichi Sports Future Co-Creation Lab,' a continuous lecture series for sports business talent development hosted by Aichi Prefecture, starting in September 2026. Enrollment is now open as of today.

This lecture series aims to cultivate talent supporting the sports industry through a seven-session program combining seminars led by frontline practitioners with practical workshops, focusing on co-creating regional and societal value through sports.

President Etsushi Tagami also serves as an 'Aichi Prefecture Sports Business Advisor' and will continue to strengthen efforts in developing regional sports business talent, following last year's success.

※For more details, please visit the Aichi Prefecture website and the AiSIA website.

Overview of Commissioned Activities

Host: Aichi Prefecture

Planning and Operation: Small Things Inc.

Period: September 4, 2026 (Fri) to February 4, 2027 (Thu) (7 sessions total; detailed schedule below)

Venue: Winck Aichi (4-4-38 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City) ※Meeting rooms vary by session

Target Audience: Working professionals and students interested in sports business (those able to attend all 7 sessions are welcome)

Capacity: 30 participants (selection by lottery)

Participation Fees: - Aichi Sports Innovation Consortium AiSIA / Aichi Sports Commission members: ¥28,000 - Other companies and organizations (group participation): ¥52,800 - Individual participants: ¥38,200 - University and graduate students (student discount): ¥8,200

【Important Notes】

Travel expenses to the venue and communication costs for online participation are the responsibility of the participant.

Members of the Aichi Sports Innovation Consortium AiSIA and Aichi Sports Commission may bring one additional representative from the same organization as an observer for up to two sessions.

Participants from other companies or organizations (group participation) may bring one additional representative from the same organization as an observer for one session.

Participants from AiSIA, Aichi Sports Commission, or group participants may share lecture content within their organization.

Individual participants must use lecture content for personal use only.

Program Features

The seven-session program begins with 'Introduction to Sports Business,' followed by seminars on diverse topics such as preparation and operation of large-scale international events, management of community-based professional sports teams, the Asian and Asian Para Games, customer strategy and fan marketing, case studies of overseas sports clubs, and stadium/arena management. After each seminar, group discussions and individual work on business plans focused on co-creation with sports teams will be conducted to promote peer learning and networking.

In addition to the seven main sessions, follow-up sessions for individual work and fieldwork at sports venues (dates and times TBD, optional participation) are planned, enabling participants to learn through a cycle of theory and practice. In the final session, participants will present their developed business plans and share their learning outcomes.

Session

Lecture Content

Session 1

Sep 4 (Fri)

＜Orientation＞

＜Seminar＞

Topic: Introduction to Sports Business

Lecturer: Etsushi Tagami, Aichi Prefecture Sports Business Advisor / President and CEO, Small Things Inc. / COO, J.H.Wellness Inc. / Representative Director, Shizuoka Sports Commission

Topic: Preparation and Operation of Large-Scale International Events

Lecturer: Ryo Date, Section Chief, Business Planning Division, Saitama Sports Commission

＜Workshop (common for all sessions except Session 5)＞

Group discussion based on the seminar,

Individual work on business plan proposal themed on co-creation with sports teams

Session 2

Oct 22 (Thu)

＜Seminar＞

Topic: Community-Based Professional Sports Teams

Lecturer: Toshihiro Yokoi, President and CEO, TG SPORTS Inc. / SGM, Wolf Dogs Nagoya

＜Workshop＞

Session 3

Nov 19 (Thu)

＜Seminar＞

Topic: Planning and Management of the Asian and Asian Para Games

Lecturer: Takayoshi Ossan, Deputy Director General, Organizing Committee for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian and Asian Para Games

Topic: Significance, Outcomes, and Evaluation of Large-Scale International Events

Lecturer: Hiroaki Funabashi, Professor, Faculty of Sports Science, Chukyo University

＜Workshop＞

Session 4

Dec 2 (Wed)

＜Seminar＞

Topic: Customer Strategy and Fan Marketing

Lecturer: Naoki Hase, Director and Executive Officer, Sports Marketing Laboratory Inc. / Director and Secretary General, Japan Sportsmanship Association

Topic: Case Studies of Overseas Sports Clubs

Lecturer: Ken Fukushima, Key Account Sales & Business Operations Manager, STVV Japan

＜Workshop＞

Session 5

Dec 15 (Tue)

＜Workshop＞

Discussion and rehearsal for business plan presentations on co-creation with sports teams (interim presentation of individual work outcomes)

Session 6

Jan 26 (Tue)

＜Seminar＞

Topic: Stadiums and Arenas

Lecturer: Masayuki Kinoshita, Director and Senior Executive Officer, Yamashita PMC Inc.

＜Workshop＞

Session 7

Feb 4 (Thu)

＜Final Presentation Session＞

Business plan presentations by participants

Commentary: Hiroaki Funabashi, Professor, Faculty of Sports Science, Chukyo University

Enrollment Procedure

Priority Enrollment (for AiSIA / Aichi Sports Commission members, and referrals from last year's participants or those wishing to retake)

Application Period: July 3, 2026 (Fri) – July 15, 2026 (Wed)

Application Form: https://e-ve.event-form.jp/event/136776/SCAG

General Enrollment (for other companies, organizations, individuals, university and graduate students)

Application Period: July 16, 2026 (Thu) – August 7, 2026 (Fri)

Application Form: https://e-ve.event-form.jp/event/136778/SCAG

※Participants will be selected by lottery. Results will be notified to successful applicants only within two business days after the application period ends.

※AiSIA and Aichi Sports Commission members may also apply during the general enrollment period.

Special Benefits for Last Year's Participants (New for 2026)

This year, new benefits are introduced for those who participated in the 2025 'Aichi Sports Future Co-Creation Lab,' aiming to sustain and expand the learning community.

If a previous participant refers a new applicant, the referrer may apply during the priority enrollment period, ahead of general enrollment.

Additionally, previous participants who successfully refer a new participant will be offered one free session (out of the seven) outside the 30-person capacity limit (session date to be coordinated with the office after application).

Role of Small Things Inc.

This program is part of Aichi Prefecture's 'Ai