LTS Awarded Fukushima Prefecture's FY2026 Business Acceleration Project

LTS Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Hiroaki Kabashima; hereinafter 'LTS') has been selected through a public proposal process for the implementation of Fukushima Prefecture's FY2026 'Business Acceleration Project'.

We are now recruiting participants for this project, known as the 'Fukushima Accelerator Program Next stage'.

■ About the Project

Fukushima Prefecture is working to create an environment where a wide range of people, from sole proprietors to university-launched ventures, can easily start businesses, aiming to realize 'Fukushima, the Land of Startups' where new businesses are continuously born.

This project targets companies and individuals who are starting or expanding new businesses to solve social issues, supporting their business growth to create startup role models that lead to increased employment and transactions within the prefecture.

As the contracted operator, LTS will implement its unique support functions (the 'Three Bansou' functions) *1 in this program, aiming to form a community that nurtures challengers locally.

■ Who We Are Looking For

- Those aiming for business growth and expansion
- Those who want to use their experience and skills to support local challengers
- Those who want to contribute to society and the region
- Those seeking new learning and encounters

■ Details of the 'Fukushima Accelerator Program Next stage'

For an overview and application methods, please refer to the website below.

Website: https://fukushima-accelerator.com/

1. Program Concept

In this acceleration program, selected business operators are called 'Challengers' and supporters are called 'Seconds' *2. Individuals with outstanding expertise and skills within the prefecture are called 'Advisors'. Together with those who were not selected but wish to participate in the community, we aim to form an 'All Next stage Community'.

2. Program Overview

● Challengers (Support Recipients)

Planned number to be selected: Approximately 5

Eligibility: Companies or individuals who have started a business based in Fukushima, or who wish to grow their business in Fukushima Prefecture in the future, and are engaged in entrepreneurship or new business development.

Participants will refine their prototypes and functions based on existing ideas and verify marketability and business models.

Support includes grants, matching with one or more supporters, goal-setting workshops, study sessions, follow-up meetings, presentation events, and various other support menus.

● Seconds (Supporters)

Planned number to be selected: Approximately 5

Eligibility: Individuals residing in Fukushima Prefecture or able to operate within the prefecture who possess specialized knowledge or experience in a specific field.

Seconds will provide 'Bansou' support to the matched Challengers.

Benefits include honorariums, reskilling opportunities such as supporter training and study sessions, and potential network expansion within and outside the prefecture.

3. Event Implementation

【Supporter Training】

Date: August 5 (Wednesday), full day

Format: On-site (Fukushima City)

Purpose: Knowledge training on 'Bansou' for selected Seconds (supporters).

【Matching Event】

Date: August 3 (Monday) and August 7 (Friday), 2026, evenings

Format: Online (Zoom)

Purpose: Improve matching accuracy through group interviews between Challengers (support recipients) and Seconds (supporters).

【Goal Setting Workshop】

Date: August 18 (Tuesday) and August 19 (Wednesday), full day

Format: On-site (Koriyama City)

Purpose: Boost morale and set goals for selected Challengers (support recipients), and build relationships with Seconds (supporters) and the secretariat.

【Kick-off Meeting】

Date: August 25 (Tuesday), afternoon

Format: On-site (Fukushima City)

Purpose: Official announcement of Challenger-Supporter pairs who will work together, and skill-up through a lecture on new business.

【Networking Event (Pitch Night)】

Date: September 29 (Tuesday), afternoon

Format: On-site (Koriyama City)

Purpose: Create opportunities for Challengers (support recipients) to pitch and exchange information, meeting stakeholders (companies, organizations, individuals) from inside and outside Fukushima who can empathize and co-create.

【Interim Report Meeting】

Date: October 23 (Friday), afternoon

Format: On-site (Inawashiro Town)

Purpose: Share activity progress of Challengers (support recipients) to identify necessary support and assets during the period. Create opportunities to meet stakeholders who can empathize and co-create.

【Final Report Meeting】

Date: January 26, 2027 (Tuesday), afternoon

Format: On-site (Fukushima City)

Purpose: Present the results and future prospects gained from this program, aiming to acquire new developments and collaborators.

*Schedule is subject to change.

4. Program Application

● Application Period

Please apply via the application form below.

Challengers: Until Sunday, July 5, 23:59

Supporters: Until Wednesday, July 1, 23:59

● Application Website *3

https://fukushima-accelerator.com/

● Selection Schedule

Pre-briefing (1st): June 9 (Tuesday), 12:15, Online

Pre-briefing (2nd): June 23 (Tuesday), 16:15, Online

Pre-briefing (3rd): June 30 (Tuesday), 18:30, Online

Application Deadline (Supporters): July 1 (Wednesday), 23:59

Application Deadline (Challengers): July 5 (Sunday), 23:59

1st Screening (Document Review): ~July 6 (Monday)

1st Screening Result Notification: Around July 7 (Tuesday)

2nd Screening (Interview): July 8 (Wednesday) ~ July 24 (Friday)

Final Result Notification: Around July 29 (Wednesday)

5. Notes on Program Participation

To maintain the confidentiality of information learned through participation in this program, such as other participants' business details, participants will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and other necessary contracts.

Participation status (photos, articles) may be posted on the Fukushima Prefecture website or the project's social media.

6. Inquiries

LTS Co., Ltd. 'Next stage Secretariat'

Email: pj_nextstage@lt-s.jp (Contact: Fukumoto, Yamaguchi)

*1) The 'Three Bansou' functions are LTS's unique support model capable of handling highly uncertain environments.

- Bansou (Co-creation): Challengers and supporters build a 'cooperative and co-creative' relationship, forming a team that can handle unforeseen circumstances.
- Bansou (Running alongside): Supporters run alongside Challengers from the same perspective, engaging in necessary actions like fieldwork and refinement.
- Bansou (Bonding): Building a relationship where Challengers feel psychological safety.

This model has a 5-year track record in Hiroshima Prefecture and other locations.

*2) 'Second' refers to a role like a boxing second who is a 'good coach' and 'excellent advisor' that stays close to the challenger and fights alongside them. In this program, they provide the Three Bansou support to Challengers in Fukushima.

【About LTS Co., Ltd.】Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (6560). URL: https://lt-s.jp/

LTS Co., Ltd. provides comprehensive services centered on hands-on consulting that enhances clients' business agility and transformation execution capabilities.