Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama City Launch Collaborative Entrepreneurship Training School!

plan-A Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City; Representative Director: Takeshi Aizawa; hereinafter "plan-A") announces the opening of participant recruitment for the "Action Plan Design 5Days Program," part of ACT! (Act), an entrepreneurship talent development school hosted by Kanagawa Prefecture. plan-A is responsible for the operation of ACT!.

This program is implemented as a collaborative initiative between Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama City. Over five full days, participants will learn essential elements for launching a venture and create an "action plan" to realize their entrepreneurial goals.

Participants in ACT! can utilize YOXO BOX, Yokohama City's next-generation entrepreneurship development hub, throughout the program period. They will also gain access to entrepreneurial support programs offered by both the prefecture and the city, placing them in an environment that actively supports the realization of their startup ideas.

Applications will be accepted from 14:00 on June 29 (Mon) to 17:00 on August 31 (Mon). The program has a capacity of 30 participants. For program details and application procedures, please visit the official website below: https://plan-a-02.co.jp/act/

Background and Objectives

"I want to solve societal challenges through entrepreneurship," or "I want to turn my idea into a business that benefits others"—many people share such aspirations, yet often hesitate, unsure of the concrete steps needed to move forward.

ACT! is a venture support initiative launched by Kanagawa Prefecture specifically for individuals who have entrepreneurial ideas but have not yet taken the first step. The project emphasizes helping each participant articulate their business concept and concretize the "actions" necessary for realization.

Kanagawa Prefecture is advancing the "HATSU-SHIN KANAGAWA" model, which provides stage-specific support for venture companies from pre- to post-entrepreneurship. ACT! serves as the entry point of this model, broadening the base of individuals interested in entrepreneurship. In parallel, the program collaborates with Yokohama City's next-generation entrepreneurship development project, "YOXO NEXT," strengthening support not only after but also before launching a business.

About the Entrepreneurship Realization Project "ACT!"

ACT! is a project founded on the concept of "action support"—empowering individuals to take initiative and continuously practice entrepreneurship. Its distinguishing feature is supporting participants beyond a one-time lecture series, helping them create an environment where they can start moving and keep progressing. The project consists of three key "ACTIONS":

ACTION #1 | Action Plan Design 5Days Program

A hands-on program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs take step-by-step actions toward realization. Through five workshop sessions, participants will formulate hypotheses for their business plans, identify necessary resources (people, materials, funding, time), learn fundamental business models and financial planning, and ultimately develop their own personalized "action plan." The program welcomes individuals whose ideas are not yet fully defined and offers the opportunity to prepare alongside like-minded peers.

ACTION #2 | ACT! Validation Stage

An exhibition event where participants can test their emerging business ideas and marketing strategies in real-world settings. With individualized coaching support, participants will design the best approach for idea validation and marketing, followed by feedback sessions after implementation.

ACTION #3 | ACT! Alumni Community

A community designed to ensure the journey doesn't end with program completion. After the program concludes, participants maintain connections through study groups, peer consultation sessions, and facility tours, sustaining an environment that encourages continuous entrepreneurial action. The goal is to create a space where participants can tackle real-world challenges together, sharing knowledge and mutual encouragement.

Program Overview and Recruitment Details

Schedule and Content

* Networking sessions will be held from 21:30 to 22:00 on Day 1 to Day 4 (optional participation).

Collaboration with Yokohama City

ACT! participants can use YOXO BOX, Yokohama City's next-generation entrepreneurship development hub, during the program period (continued access available after completion via membership registration).

Opportunities to validate business ideas will be provided through events hosted by the prefecture and the city.

Participants will be introduced to stage-specific support programs such as the prefectural "HATSU Entrepreneur Support Program" and Yokohama City's "YOXO NEXT" project, with coordinated support from both the prefecture and city to advance their entrepreneurial goals.

Kanagawa Prefecture is implementing the venture support Kanagawa model "HATSU-SHIN KANAGAWA," providing tailored support for venture companies at every stage from pre- to post-entrepreneurship.

The program also collaborates with Yokohama City's next-generation entrepreneurship development initiative "YOXO NEXT," strengthening pre- and post-entrepreneurship support through mutual program integration.

<Corporate Overview of plan-A> Founded: May 2018 Representative Director: Takeshi Aizawa Address: 6-84 Ohtamachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 231-0063 (Shinryo Building 403) URL: https://plan-a-02.co.jp/ (YOXO BOX: https://yoxonext.jp/) Contact: info@plan-a-02.co.jp