JA Group Entrepreneurship Development Program "GROW & BLOOM" Kicks Off Third Recruitment Phase on April 1st (Wednesday)

General Incorporated Association AgVenture Lab (hereinafter 'Agu Lab,' Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Tomoko Tsuchida), established by eight national organizations of the JA Group with the aim of co-creating with startups, will begin recruiting for the third phase of the JA Group's entrepreneurship development program "GROW & BLOOM" on April 1st (Wednesday).

This program targets students and working professionals interested in entrepreneurship or aiming to start a business within one year, as well as nascent startup companies. Leveraging the long-standing relationships and networks built in primary industries such as 'food,' 'agriculture,' and 'lifestyle,' we provide extensive support. We aim to help participants grow (GROW) their ideas from the conceptual stage and bloom (BLOOM) into businesses. We offer total support, from refining business ideas to company establishment and fundraising, to cultivate new entrepreneurs.

GROW & BLOOM Official Website: https://grow-bloom.agventurelab.or.jp/

[Schedule] Entry Application: GROW: April 1st (Tuesday) - May 6th (Tuesday) BLOOM: April 1st (Tuesday) - May 24th Public Briefing Session (Hybrid): Both GROW & BLOOM: April 10th (Friday) Document & Interview Selection: BLOOM only: May 7th (Wednesday) - June 5th (Friday) Workshop: Both GROW & BLOOM: Held in May Program Kick-off: BLOOM only: June 26th (Friday) - 27th (Saturday) DEMO DAY (Presentation of Results): BLOOM only: September 12th (Saturday)

Applications for the public briefing session can be made via the following URL: https://growandbloom3rd.peatix.com *The above schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the website for details (updated sequentially).

[Features of GROW & BLOOM] 1. Utilization of JA Group's Network in 'Food,' 'Agriculture,' and 'Lifestyle' Focused Primary Industry Sectors We provide extensive support by leveraging the JA Group's long-standing relationships and networks in primary industry sectors. Participants can receive practical advice, field-oriented feedback, and engage in discussions on business ideas through interaction with JA staff who deeply understand the field. Furthermore, similar support is provided not only for food and agriculture but also for areas supported by the JA Group, such as nursing care, finance, and sustainability.

2. Opportunity to Challenge the JA Accelerator Program and Investment Consideration After graduating from GROW & BLOOM, participants will have the opportunity to challenge various programs offered by Agu Lab, including the JA Accelerator Program (note). There is also a possibility of investment from Agu Lab. *Separate screening applies to each.

3. Business Exploration Guided by Professionals in New Business Creation Agu Lab members and experienced instructors, who support new business creation related to primary industries, will accompany participants in business idea exploration and mentoring.

4. Entrepreneur Network There will be opportunities to interact with entrepreneurs active on the front lines, such as startups adopted in past JA Accelerator Programs and graduates of GROW & BLOOM's first phase. Participants can also build networks with peers aspiring to entrepreneurship through weekly program sessions.

5. Total Support for Starting a Business Participants will have the opportunity to attend lectures by professionals on finance, marketing, and the process of establishing a corporation. Furthermore, we provide total support, including MVP validation and post-startup support.

<Recommended for those who...> 1. Are interested in entrepreneurship in primary industries or regional revitalization. 2. Are interested in entrepreneurship but don't know how to start. You can easily take the first step, as you will learn entrepreneurship and commercialization know-how. 3. Want to learn entrepreneurship know-how while balancing academics or current work. The program schedule is on weekday evenings and half-days on Saturdays, allowing participation alongside studies or current jobs.

[Background of Program Implementation] Agu Lab has supported startups and aspiring student entrepreneurs through the JA Accelerator Program and the student business plan contest "JUMP." However, challenges existed where the JA Accelerator Program was not a good fit for the next steps of JUMP participants, and sufficient support was not provided for working professionals aiming to start businesses. Therefore, "GROW & BLOOM" is being held for students and working professionals to enhance support in these underserved areas. We aim to build a seamless support system through three programs: GROW & BLOOM, JUMP, and the JA Accelerator.

Note: What is the JA Accelerator Program? Under the theme of "Co-creating a sustainable future for food, agriculture, and lifestyle," this program recruits and selects startup companies with innovative ideas and technologies, intensively supporting their growth in a short period. Its purpose is to leverage the abundant management resources of the JA Group to develop new businesses and services. Through seven phases from 2019 to 2025, a total of 61 companies have been adopted.

[About AgVenture Lab] https://agventurelab.or.jp/ AgVenture Lab was jointly established on May 27, 2019, by eight national organizations of the JA Group: National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, Norinchukin Bank, Ie-No-Hikari Association, Japan Agricultural News, National Welfare Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, and JA Kanko Co., Ltd.

Under the concept of "Nurturing agriculture for future generations, standing by local life, and connecting places and people," it is an organization that aims to create new businesses, develop services, and solve regional issues by co-creating with startup companies, partner companies, universities, and government agencies, leveraging diverse knowledge and technologies. Through its activities at AgVenture Lab, the JA Group actively strengthens external collaborations and challenges the creation of new value that contributes to solving social issues facing primary industries and rural areas.