BMW Group Sponsors Waseda University Student Organization "TEDxWasedaU" Main Event for the Second Consecutive Year

BMW Co., Ltd. (President: Kintaro Ueno) sponsored the main event for fiscal year 2026, planned and operated by the Waseda University student organization "TEDxWasedaU." This marks the second consecutive year, following last year, that BMW has sponsored a TEDxWasedaU event. The event was held on June 28 (Sun) at BMW Group Tokyo Bay.

TEDxWasedaU operates by obtaining official licenses from TED headquarters annually and independently planning and managing events. Through presentations by speakers from various fields, they aim to "share valuable ideas" and "expand people's knowledge and perspectives."

This year's event, themed "Steady in Motion ~揺~," explored how to find one's balance amidst a constantly changing society and daily life. The all-day event featured a total of six speakers with diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, university faculty, and students, who shared ideas based on their experiences and expertise. The event aimed to provide attendees with an opportunity to re-examine their own values and potential. Following the event, members of TEDxWasedaU were given the opportunity to experience, ride in, and test drive BMW vehicles. It was a valuable opportunity for young talents striving to shape the future to directly experience the BMW world and passion for craftsmanship, thereby feeling the joy of mobility and the spirit of challenge that the brand cherishes.

The representative and vice-representative of TEDxWasedaU commented, "Every year, we struggle to find affordable venues, but just like last year, BMW offered us the venue free of charge at an early stage this year as well. We feel that the event's success was due not only to the venue but also to the significant support we received in terms of equipment essential for the production. Holding the event at BMW Group Tokyo Bay, a wonderful showroom that embodies the BMW world, was a memorable and special experience for both our members and attendees. Furthermore, thanks to BMW's generosity, we were given a valuable opportunity to actually touch and test drive BMW vehicles after the event. We were deeply impressed by the advanced nature of the latest technology, the power felt the moment we started driving, and the meticulous craftsmanship. Many of our members naturally expressed sentiments like, 'I definitely want to drive a BMW in the future and consider purchasing one,' showing how strongly the experience resonated with them."

The BMW Group, which seeks social contribution activities that benefit societal sustainability, considers the development of human resources who will lead the next generation as one of its important missions. Supporting young talents like those in TEDxWasedaU, who pose their own questions, disseminate ideas, and aim to bring new perspectives to society, leads to fostering future innovation. The BMW Group will continue to actively engage in activities that support the challenges and creativity of young people.

About TEDxWasedaU, a Waseda University Student Organization

TEDxWasedaU is a non-profit organization aimed at broadly disseminating TED's insights from multiple perspectives. Founded in 2011 by Waseda University students, the organization is composed of students from various cultural backgrounds. With a mission to provide opportunities for exchanging opinions while embracing cultural diversity, TEDxWasedaU strives daily to pursue TED's slogan, "Ideas Worth Spreading." TEDxWasedaU is one of the largest student-led TEDx communities in Japan and one of the few organizations that holds bilingual TEDx events in both English and Japanese. Throughout the year, it plans and executes events such as its main event and student speech contests that benefit the community.

About TEDx

With the philosophy of discovering and widely sharing ideas, TED created the TEDx program. TEDx is a program of independently organized events that share a similar experience to TED at the local level. Our events are called TEDxWasedaU, and the 'x' means that it is an independently organized TED event. At TEDxWasedaU events, we combine the viewing of TED Talks videos with lectures by live speakers, aiming to foster deep dialogue and connection in a small group setting. Speakers do not pay to participate in TEDx events. Speaker selection, speaker coaching, and event attendance and participation are all provided free of charge. While TED Conferences provides general guidelines for the TEDx program, individual TEDx events, including our events, are independently operated by their respective organizers.

About TED

TED is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to discovering, discussing, and widely sharing ideas that spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and inspire meaningful change. TED values curiosity, reason, and a sense of wonder in the pursuit of knowledge. Starting in 1984 as a conference focused on technology, entertainment, and design, TED has evolved into a global community that connects people across disciplines and cultures to be inspired by ideas and to engage in dialogue about science, business, education, arts, and current affairs. Thousands of independently organized TEDx events are held on every continent each year, bringing people together. TED is creating global impact by catalyzing ideas and actions on the world's most pressing challenges. Specifically, it is accelerating solutions to climate change through TED Countdown, promoting self-determination through TED Democracy, and supporting early-stage innovators through TED Fellows. In addition to carefully selected TED Talks from its conferences, TED produces podcasts, video series, and educational lessons (TED-Ed), which are translated into over 100 languages. It has also facilitated billions of dollars in funding for projects addressing the world's most pressing challenges through The Audacious Project. A list of TED's programs and initiatives can be found in its official information.