Fukuoka Launches 6-Month University-Industry Collaboration Project 'Fukuoka Create Challenge 2026' Starting August 22

Scene from the final presentation of 'Fukuoka Create Challenge 2025'

The Fukuoka Create Challenge Executive Committee will launch 'Fukuoka Create Challenge,' a university-industry collaboration project in which university students from Fukuoka and local companies form teams to address actual corporate and regional challenges, starting Saturday, August 22, 2026. Applications are now open for student participants and sponsoring companies.

In this project, students and companies will collaborate for six months on activities such as planning, public relations strategies, and proposals for regional revitalization initiatives. By combining students’ unique flexible thinking with corporate experience and expertise, the project aims to create new value that contributes to Fukuoka’s regional revitalization.

Background of the 'Fukuoka Create Challenge'

Fukuoka is currently experiencing vibrant regional development, with young people and businesses gathering due to urban development and startup support. However, opportunities for students and local companies to engage continuously and practically in the community remain limited.

Therefore, this project aims to create a space where 'students and companies seriously engage as equal partners,' connecting students’ enthusiasm to challenge with corporate experience and resources to achieve practical regional revitalization for Fukuoka’s future.

Last year, some participants established ongoing relationships with companies through this project, leading to internships and job offers.

Project Overview

Student and company teams will work together for six months to solve actual corporate and regional challenges.

This year, in addition to solving challenges proposed by companies, the project will also focus on issues related to corporate recruitment and information dissemination, challenging 'AI × Recruitment PR' using generative AI, which has recently gained attention. Rather than simply using AI tools, the project will serve as an overview opportunity to learn about AI knowledge and possibilities while considering how AI can be utilized in corporate branding and recruitment activities.

Other planned themes include:

- Creation of corporate PR content from a student perspective

- Development of awareness expansion strategies using social media

- Proposal of initiatives for regional revitalization

- Event planning and management

- Ideas for new businesses and new services

Additionally, through regular meetings and feedback sessions with company representatives, students will learn while engaging with real business challenges.

A key feature is that it is not merely an idea contest; students and companies will continuously discuss and practice together, tackling problem-solving in a way that closely resembles real-world situations.

Comment from Executive Committee Member Keigo Ota

"What we aim for is not simply to make an event successful. Through this 'Fukuoka Create Challenge,' we want to create genuine connections between students and local companies, and from there, initiate concrete actions that further revitalize Fukuoka.

When students’ pure desire to 'challenge' combines with companies’ 'experience and resources,' a practical process emerges where participants act persistently and earnestly without fear of failure. From this, we believe authentic regional revitalization—beyond mere words—can begin.

We sincerely welcome students who are passionate about creating Fukuoka’s future with their own hands, as well as companies that wish to further energize the region."

Event Overview

【Schedule (8 sessions planned)】※

July 4 (Sat), 14:00–: Pre-event student networking session

August 22 (Sat), 14:00–: Kickoff meeting and team formation

September 26 (Sat) – 27 (Sun): Retreat and general meeting (2 days)

October 17 (Sat), 14:00–: General meeting

November 21 (Sat), 14:00–: General meeting

December 12 (Sat), 14:00–: General meeting

January 16 (Sat), 14:00–: General meeting

February 20 (Sat), 14:00–: Final presentation

【Venue】

Lecture rooms at Fukuoka Institute of Technology (tentative)

【Participation Fee】

Free

※ Transportation costs reimbursed (receipt required)

※ Not applicable for Shinkansen, taxis, limited express fees, etc.

【Eligibility】

University students enrolled in Fukuoka prefecture or residing in Fukuoka

【Organizer】

Fukuoka Create Challenge Executive Committee

【Details and Application URL】

Students can apply via the following URL:

https://forms.gle/NtCpsS2pMZwKJ4Vq5

Sponsoring companies are also being recruited. Interested companies, please review sponsorship details via the URL below and contact us:

https://sa52kai.github.io/fukuoka-create-challenge/

Highlights from Last Year’s Activities

This year marks the third year of the Fukuoka Create Challenge. Last year, students and local companies formed teams and worked on solving corporate challenges for about six months. From the kickoff meeting through general meetings, company consultations, retreats, and the final presentation, students and companies continuously discussed and challenged the creation of ideas that leveraged their respective strengths.

This year, we aim to continue creating new value through such practical learning and exchange opportunities.

※ Photos show scenes from last year’s project activities

- Kickoff meeting

- Retreat

- General meeting

- General meeting

- Final presentation

- Final presentation

Organization Overview

Organization name: Fukuoka Create Challenge Executive Committee

Activities: Planning and operation of university-industry collaboration projects where university students in Fukuoka and local companies work together to solve regional challenges and promote regional revitalization

Contact for Inquiries

Fukuoka Create Challenge Executive Committee Contact: Yamazaki (3rd year, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University)

E-mail: create.challenge.2024@gmail.com

Instagram: @fukuoka_crechalle