Applications Now Open: Nahato's Ultra-Selective 3-Day Internship 'THE BUILD' Offers Over ¥10 Million in Prizes and ¥1 Million Grand Prize

Nahato Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuki Adachi; hereinafter 'Nahato') has officially opened applications today for the next edition of 'THE BUILD,' its ultra-selective 3-day business ideation internship program for university and graduate students.

In conjunction with this announcement, Nahato is also releasing a post-event report, along with winning team details and judge evaluations, from the previous edition held from June 12 (Fri) to June 14 (Sun), 2026, which received significant attention. The next 'THE BUILD' will build upon the overwhelming energy of the previous event, launching an even more evolved program design. Nahato welcomes applications from students who wish to take their first step as market-moving entrepreneurs.

▼ Apply for the next 'THE BUILD' and view full details (Special Website)

URL: https://nahato.co.jp/recruit/build/

▼ Watch the highlight video capturing the intense energy of the previous event

URL: https://youtu.be/G5FMuThGd3s?si=o006XPsU2Zv4S4id

[Program Overview] What is the Ultra-Selective Internship 'THE BUILD'?

This internship is not merely about boosting job-hunting credentials (gakuchika), but an ultra-selective program designed to equip students with the tools to become creators of their own ventures, rather than just being 'talented individuals.' Frontline entrepreneurs and practitioners engage seriously with students, challenging them to develop business plans to a high standard. The program goes beyond the typical internship framework, offering an environment to experience the essence of business.

[Luxury Benefits Offered in the Next Program (Total Value Over ¥10 Million)]

Participation Reward: ¥30,000

Grand Prize (Top Benefits): ¥1,000,000 in total

Startup Support Fund: ¥9,000,000 in capital provided to exceptional ideas deemed 'worthy of starting a business'

Special Program: Access rights to an exclusive community program that can shape future careers

[Previous Results & Post-Event Report] The 3-Day Journey and Winning Team Announcement

The previous edition, which served as the foundation for the next program, brought together 45 highly motivated and rigorously selected students who overcame an extremely competitive selection process. Over three intense days, participants were thoroughly tested on their ability to 'define their own questions, structure solutions, and drive both people and AI to shape the future'—a crucial skill in the AI era, rather than simply 'finding answers quickly.'

[Winning Team]

Team Name: Airandel Inc.

・Mayumi Kudo / Keio University

・Utsukushii Yamamoto / University of Tsukuba

・Yuma Isozaki / Waseda University

・Kotaro Kurachi / Ritsumeikan University

・Kaito Nakajima / Kyoto University Graduate School

[Business Theme]

A fitness facility for mobility improvement targeting elderly individuals requiring support

Inspired by the real-life experiences of team members' grandmothers, this proposal is for a fitness facility designed for elderly individuals requiring support. The team focused on the 'support-needed' demographic, positioned between gyms for the able-bodied and day services for the fully dependent.

[Winning Team Comment]

Kaito Nakajima / Kyoto University Graduate School

'While we worked tirelessly, even through the night, to create our pitch materials, our mentors supported us without a single complaint. Their candid yet caring feedback on our imperfect ideas was crucial to our growth and victory. I am deeply grateful to my teammates as well.'

[Evaluation Rationale & Judge Commentary]

Chief Judge: Takato Kumazaki (COO, GEUDA General Incorporated Association)

'What fundamentally differentiates this contest from other business plan competitions is its relentless pursuit of 'immediate executability'—not just creative ideas. The fact that you all faced real-world challenges and financial calculations over these three days is an extremely valuable endeavor in itself.

The reason for selection lies in the precision across five evaluation criteria: an accurate target segment of 'elderly requiring support,' differentiation through unique 'matching with students,' a concrete regional focus on 'Yokohama'—where my own mother lives—and numerical realism that even a business expert can quickly verify, along with practical feasibility on how to get started. Your plan stood head and shoulders above the rest in its ability to execute a business plan, not just present a concept. Please make it a reality.'

Overall Event Commentary

Chief Judge: Takato Kumazaki (COO, GEUDA General Incorporated Association / Photo Left)

'I sincerely applaud the participants and mentors for their incredible dedication and passion throughout this grueling three-day journey. I myself started a company during graduate school and launched major new ventures in my twenties, but looking back now, I constantly think, 'I could have done more.' The outstanding achievements you've accomplished today will, when you look back five years from now, reveal new challenges, and you will truly understand the meaning behind the judges' words at that time.

This experience is a major step that can change your lives. Regardless of the outcome, please use this invaluable experience as fuel to steer your future lives in a better direction. I am very excited to see how you all will grow.'

Judge: Genya Taguchi (Director, Nahato Co., Ltd. / Photo Right)

'From my close observation as an organizer, I must honestly say that only two teams truly met the benchmark for business feasibility as a business competition. There is actually a sense of regret that we couldn't bring a few more teams to that level within this short timeframe. Participants have once again realized the difficulty of balancing personal passion with the commitment to business feasibility. We will definitely carry forward the goal of showing an even better vision as we evolve for next year. However, there is no doubt that everyone gave their absolute best over these three days. I am sincerely grateful to all participants and mentors who ran this journey with full commitment.'

※ Press release for the 3-day business ideation ultra-selective internship program 'THE BUILD' (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000111.000063127.html)

About Nahato Co., Ltd.

Nahato operates under the mission 'Create Drama,' serving as a business-creation marketing company that drives growth through marketing. Beyond advertising and SNS support, Nahato leverages practical expertise from building and scaling ventures across D2C, store operations, secondary distribution, and consulting. We go beyond awareness and acquisition, delving into strategy and product development to drive non-linear growth. All of this is for the purpose of winning continuously with our teammates. We aim to become a company with 3,000 employees and ¥200 billion in revenue by 2040. For more details, please visit our official website (https://nahato.co.jp/).

[Company Overview (URL: https://nahato.co.jp/)]

・Headquarters: 15F, Shibuya Mark City West, 1-12-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

・Representative: Yuki Adachi

・Founded: July 2018

・Business Activities: Marketing, D2C, Creative, Consulting