Gaiax Offers Free "Entrepreneurship" Program for Junior and Senior High Schools in Hyogo Prefecture

Gaiax Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yuji Ueda; Securities Code: 3775; hereinafter, Gaiax), which develops entrepreneurship education (*1) programs in collaboration with industry, academia, and government, has been commissioned by Hyogo Prefecture for its "Entrepreneurship Education Program Introduction Project for Young People." It has been decided to provide "Hyogo Entrepreneurship Seminar," an inquiry program themed "entrepreneurship" (hereinafter, "this program"), free of charge to junior and senior high schools within Hyogo Prefecture.

This is the third year of collaboration with Hyogo Prefecture, and so far, the program has reached a total of 30 schools and 2,102 participants, leading to achievements such as winning business contests.

This year, two types of courses will be implemented: an "Introductory Course" with three selectable themes, and a "Mentoring Course" for long-term refinement of business ideas.

(*1) Education that equips individuals with the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes to identify social issues themselves, take on challenges to solve them, and explore solutions through collaboration with others (Quoted from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's "National Entrepreneurship Human Resource Development Program" (https://entrepreneurship-education.mext.go.jp/))

■ Program Overview

The main points of this program are largely as follows:

① Two types of programs available to choose from according to purpose

The Introductory Course is a 2-hour self-contained program that can be incorporated into inquiry-based learning and career education classes. Schools can choose teaching materials from three themes: "Inquiry Edition," "Career Education Edition," and "Entrepreneur Development Edition" according to their preferences. The content is designed to be easy for beginners, so it can be utilized by schools that are new to inquiry-based learning and career education, as well as those that are already implementing it.

The Mentoring Course is a full-scale 6-hour program for schools aiming to enter and win business contests. Participants will refine their business plans, which can be applied in the real world, through repeated discussions with instructors. They will gain experience in not only thinking of ideas in the classroom but also verifying their applicability in society.

② Dispatch of instructors with expertise in both entrepreneurship and education

Our company members, who are well-versed in both entrepreneurship and education, will serve as instructors, providing essential lessons that are easy for junior and senior high school students to understand and find interesting.

Our company handles the preparation of lessons and on-the-day operation, minimizing the burden on schools. Teachers can experience the program with their students and focus on observing and evaluating their learning.

Item

Hyogo Entrepreneurship Seminar "Introductory Course"

Hyogo Entrepreneurship Seminar "Mentoring Course"

Overview

A 2-hour self-contained program where schools can choose from three themes according to their diverse circumstances and educational challenges.

① Inquiry Edition

Positions entrepreneurs as "ultimate inquirers" and teaches the process of their entrepreneurial motivation and problem setting (theme discovery). This introductory program aims to stimulate students' motivation for inquiry-based learning and acquire initial methods.

② Career Education Edition

Through promoting understanding of the profession of "entrepreneur," this program deepens consideration of the qualities and abilities required of humans in the next-generation society where AI and other technologies are emerging, i.e., entrepreneurship.

③ Entrepreneur Development Edition

After understanding the social background attracting attention to entrepreneurship, participants experience the creation of actual business ideas. This program presents concrete next steps, such as entering business contests, and fosters human resources aspiring to future entrepreneurship.

A 6-hour self-contained program that involves refining ideas through discussions with instructors and learning verification methods for ideas using prototypes.

《Program Content》

・Organize and verbalize the three elements of entrepreneurship (whose problem, what kind of problem, and how to solve it).

・Objectively evaluate the conceived business plan and organize issues through Q&A and feedback from instructors.

・Start creating and verifying prototypes utilizing the latest technologies such as generative AI.

Purpose/Goal

・Deepen interest in social issues, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship

・Learn the skills (entrepreneurship) necessary for the future society

・Refine one's own business ideas

・Verify the value of one's own business ideas

・Entry and winning in business contests

Target

Junior high schools, high schools, secondary education schools, and colleges of technology (1st to 3rd year students) in Hyogo Prefecture

*While introduction on a class, grade, or school basis is fundamental, it is also possible to target club activities or interested students if 10 or more participants can join.

Same as above

Location

Location designated by each school

(Classrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums are assumed. Online implementation is also possible)

Same as above

Implementation Period

After decision on adoption and consultation, sequentially until Sunday, February 7, 2027.

*Specific implementation dates and times will be decided after consultation with each school.

Same as above