Hosting a Regional Revitalization Entrepreneurship Seminar in Shiki City!

## Event Report

On May 15, 2026 (Friday), Shiki Community Development Co. (President: Kazuyuki Shimizu; hereafter 'Shiki Community Development'), supported by Resona Group's Regional Design Lab Saitama (President: Takafumi Sonoda; hereafter 'Lab Tama'), held the 'Regional Revitalization Entrepreneurship Seminar: The Reality of New Startups, as Told by Shiki Challengers' as part of the startup support efforts in Shiki City.

## Background and Purpose

Shiki Community Development is a privately led entity established to drive the basic plan for revitalizing the center of Shiki City. To revitalize the area, the company operates the 'Shiki Entrepreneurship Center,' a consultation hub for local startups, and implements a 'Challenge Shop' project that utilizes vacant store spaces as collaborative environments where multiple founders can work and cooperate.

This seminar was planned to further expand startup support activities in Shiki City and to increase the user base for the Shiki Entrepreneurship Center.

## Seminar Content

During the seminar, a keynote lecture was delivered under the theme of 'Regional Enterprises and Small Businesses Connected by Regional Revitalization.' Mr. Terui, Chief Ambassador of the Non-Profit Organization 'Saitama Prefecture Regional Revitalization Association,' delved into concrete initiatives, such as the relationship between building maintenance and marche (market) businesses, and the link between marche businesses and startup support.

Furthermore, a panel discussion featuring two entrepreneurs currently active in Shiki City allowed for the sharing of realistic experiences, challenges, and secrets to success, and provided an opportunity to answer questions from participants in detail.

## Participant Feedback

Thirty-four prospective entrepreneurs and local business operators from both inside and outside Shiki City participated, listening attentively to the lectures and panel discussions. Participants shared comments such as 'I heard great stories; I'm glad I came,' and 'I made new connections.' The event served to reaffirm the importance of startup support in the context of regional revitalization.

## Future Outlook

'Lab Tama' will continue to support the operations of Shiki Community Development. The latter plans to actively continue its startup support efforts in Shiki City to contribute to regional revitalization.

Additionally, to increase the user base of the Shiki Entrepreneurship Center, the company is upgrading its functions beyond simple startup support to include solving management challenges for existing local businesses. As part of this, they intend to hold seminars and workshops on various themes throughout the year to address the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs and businesses.