Organization's "Inward-Looking Thinking" Broken by "Cross-Border Circuit" 2026 Program Starting Today - First Term Tackles "Achieving an Organization that Balances Exploration and Implementation" with Rapidly Growing Deep Tech Company "Godot"

Enfactory Inc. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Kenta Kato) announced that the "Cross-Border Circuit," a program for corporate employees to solve challenges through inter-industry team activities, will commence its 2026 program today, July 1st. The first term, starting today, welcomes Godot Inc., a deep tech company specializing in behavioral science x AI, as the company presenting the challenge. Inter-industry teams will tackle the unanswerable question of "Designing an Organization that Balances Exploration and Implementation." Applications are still being accepted for participating companies and individuals for the remaining 11 terms from the second term onwards.

Reference: Cross-Border Circuit Official Page https://life-design.enfactory.co.jp/ekkyo-circuit

"Cross-Border Circuit" Overview

In today's highly uncertain environment, companies are required to create new businesses and update their organizations to adapt to societal changes.

This program is a cross-border initiative where participants form teams of 3-5 members with employees from other companies. Over approximately 3 months (1 term, total of about 20 hours), they will conduct interviews, formulate hypotheses, and make proposals regarding the real management challenges of startup companies.

In 2026, starting with the first term commencing today, a total of 12 terms will be conducted annually, focusing on themes with significant social impact, including AI/Tech, regional revitalization, new business development, and organizational strategy.

Each term begins with a kickoff session where participants visualize their "mental accelerator" and "mental brake" using the "Transformation Asset Assessment." Based on these results, teams engage in team building through self-disclosure and then work on problem-solving.

To date, over 74 companies and 600 individuals have participated. Post-program surveys have shown improvements in many areas, including understanding strengths and weaknesses and motivation to challenge. Furthermore, the score for the question "Inheriting the past" decreased post-program, confirming a shift towards flexible thinking that is not bound by past successes or fixed ideas (unlearning).

The program has been introduced by numerous companies for purposes such as "Cross-Industry Training," "Internal Application Training," and "Promoting Career Autonomy," aiming to broaden participants' perspectives and improve their practical problem-solving skills through co-creation that transcends corporate boundaries.

Introduction to the First Term Participating Challenge Presenting Company

For the first term of 2026 (held from July 1st to September 30th), we welcome Godot Inc. (Hyogo Prefecture), a company that supports the growth of individuals and organizations with solutions combining behavioral science and AI, as the challenge presenting company.

Godot is a rapidly growing global company that was the first in Japan to obtain the international standard for AI safety and reliability (ISO/IEC 42001) and was selected for Forbes JAPAN's "100 Japanese Startups to Watch in 2026."

Godot Inc. https://godot.inc/

Challenge Presented to Participants: Designing the communication and management methods (including organizational design and evaluation systems) for members to achieve both "exploration (0 to 1)" and "implementation (1 to 10)" within a rapidly growing "behavioral science x AI" company.

Challenge Presenter: Mr. Yushiro Shimo, Head of Human Resources and Sales Department

Background: After working in trading companies, he experienced two AI startups. At Godot, he leads organizational and business development.

Company Comment: "Godot Inc. is a deep tech company in behavioral science x AI. Centered around our proprietary service, Wellbeing Canvas, we provide a cycle of 'diagnosis, design, and execution' to support the growth of people and organizations. We operate globally with our headquarters in Kobe, an R&D base in Vienna, and branches in Tokyo and New York. 'Exploration' to create new value and 'implementation' to give it form. How can we design evaluation systems and management that allow employees to grow by balancing these two? We would like to think about this together with all of you!"

Choose from Diverse Themes! A Lineup of 12 Terms to Suit Your Company's Challenges

The 2026 Cross-Border Circuit offers a variety of business challenges throughout the year, allowing participants to choose based on their skills and areas they wish to strengthen. Twelve terms are available.

For those who want to challenge new businesses and "0 to 1": Business model examination for AI x IoT bedding (Ax Robotix), PoC design for new services (Unisoc), etc.

For those who want to expand sales and challenge marketing: PR strategy utilizing regional resources (Rebe), new market development for psychological services (Rapport), etc.

For those who want to focus on organizations and human resource development: In addition to Godot Inc. in the first term, maximizing synergy among group human resources (KANAMEL), etc.

For those who want to experience the real atmosphere of the field (on-site visits): Fieldwork in Atami (Gensen&Co), visiting the site of senior healthcare (KMSI), etc.

You can select a term based on the objective: "Which area would you like your ace employees to gain experience in through cross-industry challenges?" For details on other terms, please check the Cross-Border Circuit service page.

"Cross-Border Circuit" 2026 Schedule & Challenge Presenting Companies

●Term 1 (July 1 - Sept 30) Online Type Godot Inc. (AI Behavioral Simulation) https://godot.inc/ ●Term 2 (Sept 1 - Nov 30) Online Type Rebe Inc. (Creating related population in Higashiyoshino Village, Nara Prefecture) https://rebe-higashiyoshino.com/ ●Term 3 (Sept 2 - Nov 30) On-site Type Gensen&Co Inc. (Fieldwork support in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) https://gensenandco.jp/ ●Term 4 (Oct 1 - Dec 25) Online Type Ax Robotix Inc. (Development of AI x IoT bedding) https://www.axrobotix.com/ ●Term 5 (Oct 5 - Dec 25) Online Type AICX Association (Support for social implementation of AI) https://aicx.jp/ ●Term 6 (Oct 13 - Dec 25) Online Type KANAMEL Inc. (Video production and consulting) https://kanamel-inc.com/ja/ ●Term 7 (Oct 14 - Dec 25) Online Type Uniqle Inc. (Skill visualization and self-directed learning support) https://uniqle.co.jp/ ●Term 8 (Nov 2 - Jan 29) Online Type Unisoc LLC (Volunteer operation support platform) https://uni-soc.jp/ ●Term 9 (Nov 4 - Jan 29) On-site Type Kitahara Medical Strategies International Inc. (Elderly life support services in Hachioji) https://kitaharamsi.com/#top ●Term 10 (Dec 1 - Feb 26) Online Type Tsuzuku LLC (Sales and succession support for traditional crafts) https://tsuzuku.co.jp/ ●Term 11 (Jan 6 - Mar 31) Online Type Rapport Inc. (Corporate mental health support utilizing psychology, new business development, and provision of educational programs to educational institutions) https://rapport-jp.com/ ●Term 12 (Jan 7 - Mar 31) Online Type Spicecube Inc. (Introduction and operation support for plant factories) https://www.spicecube.biz/

*Online type allows participation entirely online. Opportunities for real communication are also available through optional in-person exchange meetings. *For Term 3 and Term 9 (On-site Type), there are opportunities to visit the site when the challenge is presented.

Cross-Border Circuit Official Page: https://life-design.enfactory.co.jp/ekkyo-circuit

[Inquiries Regarding This Matter] Enfactory Inc. Kakinuma Bldg. 4F, 1-9-13 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0047 TEL: 03-6869-6801 FAX: 03-6696-9710 URL: https://enfactory.co.jp/ E-mail: teamlancer@enfactory.co.jp Contact: Chonan, Komatsu

●Fukugyo Ryugaku (Side Business Study Abroad): A training program that promotes behavioral change through cross-border learning by solving challenges at venture companies for 3 months, about 1 day per week. It incorporates "peer learning" where participants learn from each other, promoting transformation into a self-directed organization. https://teamlancer.jp/lp/fukugyo_ryugaku

●Cross-Border Circuit: A program where participants challenge startup problem-solving in inter-industry mixed teams for 3 months, totaling about 20 hours. It creates "opportunities for people and organizations to change" through the process of cross-border learning.

https://life-design.enfactory.co.jp/ekkyo-circuit

●Leader Ryugaku (Leader Study Abroad): A program that promotes the acquisition of a management perspective and behavioral change through participation in management and exercising leadership at venture companies for 3-6 months, about 1 day per week. https://enfactory.co.jp/ekkyo-gakushu/leader_ryugaku/

●Teamlancer Enterprise: A proprietary platform that manages and promotes visualization of human resources and information, circulation of ideas, and provision of cross-border activity opportunities to revitalize organizations. https://teamlancer.jp/lp/enterprise

●In-house Side Business/Side Job Launch and Operation Support Service This service supports the launch and operation of "in-house side businesses/side jobs" where employees engage in work or projects in addition to their primary duties within the company. https://enfactory.co.jp/ekkyo-gakushu/internal-multiple-jobs/

Click here for a list of cross-border training services: https://enfactory.co.jp/ekkyo-gakushu/