13 Challengers Selected to Launch Businesses at Entrepreneurship Hub "AGORA Hon-atsugi"!

The prefecture is implementing the "HATSU Entrepreneur Support Program" to continuously foster local entrepreneurs. This program recruits and selects promising "challengers" aiming to start businesses, providing intensive, personalized support to help them achieve their goals. We are pleased to announce that 13 individuals have been selected as the FY2026 "AGORA Hon-atsugi Challengers (First Term)" who will receive support from the prefecture at "AGORA Hon-atsugi," an entrepreneurship hub located in Atsugi City.

List of "AGORA Hon-atsugi" Challengers (FY2026 First Term) (Titles omitted, listed in Japanese syllabary order)

Name

Business Content

Toshi Iezawa

Recruitment support service utilizing "AI Aptitude Diagnosis" to resolve mismatches in hiring and early turnover in the nursing care field.

Keisuke Oguri

AI agent in a Gantt chart format for managers and players handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Kyoko Kato

Cat sitter matching service that creates connections through cat care, forming employment and community spaces.

Yuko Kusaka

Landmark cafe business aiming for health promotion and regional revitalization using the local landscape and ingredients of Isehara City.

Nobunobu Sawabe

Educational business that nurtures children's "passions" into career paths through inquiry-based activities.

Manashi Soro

Operation of a membership-based community hub that realizes intergenerational exchange and regional revitalization.

Yuzuki Takahashi

Video production business "YUZUFILM" that disseminates local charm rooted in the community while expanding globally.

Hiroyuki Tamatsu

Non-surveillance AI service that protects the dignity and independence of the elderly and communicates signs of falls to families.

Yohei Nakayama

Art production business that visualizes the lives of local residents and the aspirations of local companies through picture books, connecting the community and people.

Mami Higuchi

Organizational development support business for SME growth through visualization of employee strengths and promotion of mutual understanding.

Tomoshi Hirano

Soil management subscription service for rental farms that utilizes compost, a local unused resource, by transporting it during farmers' "incidental travel."

Akinori Maehara

Pre-mortem arrangement and business succession service for digital assets for business owners.

Yosuke Miyamori

Service providing digital benefits such as AR experiences and chat functions exclusive to attendees for fan events of characters and artists.

Support Details

Intensive, personalized support, including courses to learn skills necessary for starting a business, will be provided for approximately four months from July 2026 to October 2026. Challengers will engage in business launch activities such as generating new sales, corporate registration, fundraising, and developing product/service prototypes, utilizing the various support services. "AGORA Hon-atsugi" will be available for free use during the support period.

[Reference] HATSU Entrepreneur Support Program

This support program is being implemented at three hubs in the prefecture (Kamakura, Atsugi, and Odawara) to foster entrepreneurs originating from Kanagawa and build entrepreneur communities in each region. It provides intensive support (challenger system) for promising individuals aiming to start businesses.

https://startups.pref.kanagawa.jp/program/hatsu/

Contact

Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Industry and Labor Bureau, Industrial Department

Director, Space Industry and Venture Support Division, Koshiba Phone: 045-285-0213

Venture Support Group, Industrial Promotion Division, Ueno Phone: 045-210-5646