Over 100 Co-creation Owners Invest Without Return; Satonova University Exceeds 100 Million Yen in Support – A New Form of "Co-creation" Beyond Financial Profit

Satonova University (operated by Asunooto Inc., Representative Director: Ryosuke Shinooka, Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has transitioned to an operating system where many people participate with ownership as "a university for everyone, created by everyone," taking the opportunity of producing its first graduates four years after establishing its 4-year course in 2021. Asunooto Inc., the operating body, has transitioned to a non-profit corporation*.

*Non-profit corporation: A corporation whose articles of incorporation stipulate that profits are not distributed as dividends and residual assets are not distributed.

Instead of financial profit, members who lend their support for the sake of future youth and social benefit are recruited as "co-creation owners." Interest has been gathered from various perspectives such as educational updates, regional revitalization, and social transformation. Including supporters through private placement bonds and those who converted from private placement bonds, over 100 "co-creation owners" were born by early 2026. Support exceeding 100 million yen (1 million yen per share x over 100 people) has been gathered.

Co-creation owners include Yoichi Aso, who transitioned from Head of New Business Development at Recruit Holdings to an entrepreneur, and is active as an investor and manager; Kozo Takei, a leading figure in autonomous decentralized management in Japan, active in various fields as a social activist/social system designer; Chisato Hayashi, who served as editor-in-chief of Recruit's college information website 'Shingaku Net' (now Study Sapuri Shinro) and is currently researching career education and school-community collaboration at the University of Tokyo Graduate School; and Rie Kuroi, who is involved in establishing and operating industry-government-academia collaboration organizations in Nayoro City, Hokkaido, such as sports commissions and high school integration. These are just a few of the people active in a wide range of fields who are participating.

◆Satonova University "Owners Community"
https://satonova.org/owners

"Satonova Forum" to be held in Autumn 2025 with co-creation owners

Voices of co-creation owners supporting Satonova University

Why do over 100 co-creation owners support "Satonova University"? From the perspectives of Japanese university education, community, and regional revitalization, we introduce the voices of three co-creation owners who are active as business leaders.

Takato Kashino (Representative Director of CAP Inc., Visiting Professor at Graduate School of Project Design)

"Japanese university education is too academic, and there are many subjects that are not practical in the real world. I thought that the current Japanese university education alone has its limits, and when I heard about Satonova University while considering the need to introduce new forms of learning and new schemes, I thought, 'This is the Japanese version of Minerva University.' Living and interacting with people in the town, starting and advancing projects on your own. The programs and social connection projects carried out by Satonova University are extremely important for living in the coming era. I think it would be good if movements to back them up spread."

Mari Sakuramoto (Representative Director of Cochet Inc., Director of Satonova University)

"At Satonova University, new experiences and the support of those around you broaden your horizons, and as your perspective gradually expands from the individual to the community and society, the scenery you see changes, and the resolution of the world also increases. There is richness in being drawn out and realizing things through direct experience. The existence of Satonova University also brings about change and richness to the surrounding communities. I am attracted to this 'circular learning.'"

"What's interesting about Satonova University's co-creation owners is that it's not just about donating money; they become part of the people who create education. They can be involved with more responsibility, and I think the desire to support is strengthened by contributing money. That is the appeal of becoming a co-creation owner of Satonova University."

Tomoyuki Wada (Representative Director of OWB Inc., Satonova University / Minamisoma City, Fukushima Regional Office)

"It isありがたい (gratifying/thankful) that Satonova University increases the option of 'region' beyond the dichotomy of urban or local. I hope Satonova University will continue to create education that can only be done in this region and diverse learning that utilizes the characteristics of the region. If rural areas disappear, we cannot produce food or energy. Increasing young people committed to rural areas will ultimately lead to saving Japan."

"Regardless of the environment, it is important to make decisions with the questions 'How to live?' and 'What kind of society do I want to create?' Especially in rural areas full of challenges, I think it is the optimal environment to train that ability and cultivate the power to find the source of value creation. I look forward to the challenges of young people."

*For more details, please see the article below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m46qybdGkKj-wTBKENXQ7iL4tudiPMuF/view?usp=sharing

■University that travels through regions "Satonova