Five Organizations Chosen to Support Youth Entrepreneurship in Regions; ETIC. and Hokkaido Embridge Aim to Create Environment Where Young People Across Japan Can Access Entrepreneurship Using Dormant Deposits

NPO ETIC. (Etic, located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) and NPO Hokkaido Embridge (Hokkaido Embridge, located in Sapporo, Hokkaido) have selected five organizations to build an ecosystem supporting youth entrepreneurship in regions across Japan, utilizing dormant deposits. [Special Recruitment Site] https://entre.ecosystem.etic.or.jp/kyumin [Press Release for Recruitment Start] https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000275.000012113.html [Recruitment Period] January 31, 2026 (Sat) - March 2, 2026 (Mon) Background of the Project ETIC. and Hokkaido Embridge formed a consortium and were selected as fund distribution organizations under the Dormant Deposits Utilization Act. (Designated utilization organization: Japan NPO Center for Promotion of Civil Society, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) In recent years, inquiry-based learning and entrepreneurship education have spread in high schools and universities across Japan, steadily increasing opportunities for young people to engage with topics of interest, set challenges, and take action. However, despite the presence of young people who want to take action and take on challenges, a lack of nearby role models, support opportunities, and human resources often prevents them from cultivating their challenges and the underlying aspirations. This situation is particularly prevalent in regions outside the Tokyo metropolitan area. In this project, along with implementing organizations that support youth rooted in local communities, we will develop programs that go beyond mere classroom learning and theory, allowing participants to gain experience generating revenue through trial and verification. We aim to polish the power of the 'individual' to survive in uncertain times, while producing next-generation leaders who implement new value in their regions. This initiative itself will function as a regional hub, evolving into a network that organically connects scattered people, resources, and opportunities. We aim to establish a 'sustainable cycle (ecosystem)' in local communities and across Japan, where young people's challenges are not temporary events but are continuously born, nurtured, and passed on to the next generation. Selection of Five Organizations to Support Youth Entrepreneurship in Each Region From January 31 (Sat) to March 2 (Mon), 2026, we received over 30 applications through the open call for implementing organizations. After rigorous screening, we selected the following five organizations: - SENDAI SOCIAL INNOVATION HUB Consortium (Consortium of INTILAQ, Enspace, Wakatsuku) (Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City) - Gakutolab Inc. (Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City) - Matsumoto-Entrepreneurship Education Consortium (Consortium of NPO Enuichi and NPO MEGURU) (Nagano Prefecture, Shiojiri City, Matsumoto City) - Setouchi to Inc. (Okayama Prefecture, Okayama City) - Moonbase LLC (Fukuoka Prefecture, Itoshima City, Fukuoka City) In addition to the five selected organizations, we will leverage a network of seven organizations including the fund distribution organizations ETIC. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) and Hokkaido Embridge (Sapporo, Hokkaido). We will foster a 'sustainable cycle (ecosystem)' where challenges driven by entrepreneurship are continuously born and nurtured, and establish it in local communities and across Japan. Profiles and Messages from Selected Organizations ■ SENDAI SOCIAL INNOVATION HUB Consortium (IMPACT Foundation Japan, Enspace Inc., Wakatsuku) (Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture) IMPACT Foundation Japan (INTILAQ Tohoku Innovation Center) is an organization aiming to produce entrepreneurs who change society from Tohoku. It began activities in 2013 with support from the Qatar Friendship Fund. In Tohoku, a front-runner in social issues, it has been developing human resources and support programs for those tackling challenges. In 2016, it opened INTILAQ Tohoku Innovation Center in Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai. The three pillars are discovering, nurturing, and supporting social entrepreneurs, having produced over 100 social entrepreneurs. https://intilaq.jp Enspace Inc. Enspace Inc.'s mission is 'To become a hub of diverse connections, creating an environment where people can take on challenges.' Based at the coworking space 'enspace' in Sendai, it works on community formation and challenge support connecting youth, students, local companies, and supporters. Leveraging a management system led by student interns, it has conducted practical internships for students, event planning, career development support, and co-creation projects with local companies. Through partnerships with local companies, municipalities, and educational institutions, it promotes an environment where young people can continue to take on challenges in the region. In addition to operating coworking and event spaces, it engages in year-round community building and entrepreneurship/business creation support, aiming to form a Tohoku ecosystem where 'challenges gather, grow, and connect.' https://www.enspace.work Wakatsuku Wakatsuku, established in 2011, is an organization based in Sendai supporting the challenges and growth of young people in Tohoku. Through coordinating 'long-term practical internships' where young people take on solving problems of local companies and NPOs, it has matched over 10,000 young people with regions. Additionally, it has produced over 40 entrepreneurs. Aiming for 'a society where young people can challenge themselves and grow on their own,' it builds an ecosystem for nurturing the next generation. http://www.wakatsuku.jp https://sendai-challengebase.jp/ *Consortium Since the earthquake, we have continued to support entrepreneurship and youth in Tohoku. As we mark 15 years since the disaster and challenges become more complex, we believe that supporting young people who create the region's future as 'themselves' rather than 'someone else' and building a regional system that accepts failure is key to creating an autonomous local society. With the belief 'small but not powerless,' we fully support the steps of young people in Sendai who light the flame of social change. Takashi Takekawa, Representative Director, IMPACT Foundation Japan ■ Gakutolab Inc. (Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture) With the motto 'Cultivate the academic city, nurture challenges,' the company operates in three areas: 'Academic City Co-creation' creating new value with youth and the region, 'Recruitment and Success Support' as a human resources transformation partner for local companies, and 'Next-Generation Children and Youth' providing entrepreneurship and career education for children and young people. https://gakutolab.co.jp/ Towards Ishikawa where you can challenge with what you 'want to do.' We will launch 'Yatte-Mi! SCHOOL,' an entrepreneurship support program for high school and university students. The entire region supports youth.