Saitama Prefecture Launches 'High School Venture Cafe' Business Creation Program for Students

Saitama Prefecture, the Saitama Prefectural Board of Education, and the Japan Finance Corporation are jointly launching the 'High School Venture Cafe,' a business creation program designed to open up the future.

The 'High School Venture Cafe' is a program that cultivates entrepreneurial spirit—such as challenge-driven mindset and curiosity—and essential entrepreneurial skills—including information gathering and analysis, decision-making, and communication—through the creation and presentation of business plans.

Additionally, business plans developed during this program can be submitted to the 'National High School Business Plan Grand Prix*.' We welcome all aspiring participants!

*National High School Business Plan Grand Prix

A nationwide business plan competition for high school and technical college students (grades 1–3), organized by the Japan Finance Corporation, aimed at fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among youth who will shape the future.

Eligibility

High school and technical college students (grades 1–3) residing in or attending school in Saitama Prefecture.

Schedule

Three full days: Friday, August 7, Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18, of Reiwa 8.

Venue

Shibusawa MIX (4-262-18 Yoriki-machi, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, 5th floor of ekism Saitama Shintoshin)

https://shibusawa-mix.pref.saitama.lg.jp/

Program Details

[Day 1: August 7 (Friday)]

Talk event featuring student entrepreneurs to make entrepreneurship more accessible

Seminar on ideation techniques and business plan structuring

[Day 2: August 17 (Monday)]

Business plan refinement through discussions with instructors and peers

[Day 3: August 18 (Tuesday)]

Business plan presentations

Application

Applications must be submitted via the designated online form between Monday, June 15 and Monday, July 27, Reiwa 8.

In principle, registration requires the involvement of a supervising teacher.

High School Venture Cafe Application Form

Capacity

Approximately 30 participants (selection by lottery if oversubscribed)

Pre-Event

To promote understanding and awareness of entrepreneurship education, a special event will be held for educators and stakeholders, featuring Professor Yoichi Ito of Musashino University—a leading expert in entrepreneurship education—as keynote speaker, followed by a panel discussion. For details, please refer to the attached pre-event flyer.

Date and Time: Tuesday, July 7, Reiwa 8, 14:00–16:30 Venue: Shibusawa MIX Eligibility: Elementary, middle, and high school teachers; individuals interested in entrepreneurship education Application: Please register via the following form.

Pre-Event Application Form

Inquiries

Shibusawa MIX Coordinator, Innovation Creation Section, Industrial Labor Department, Saitama Prefecture

Phone: 048-830-3787 Email: a3770-21@pref.saitama.lg.jp

Reference Information

National High School Business Plan Grand Prix (organized by Japan Finance Corporation)

Website: https://www.jfc.go.jp/n/grandprix/

Flyers

High School Venture Cafe

d104306-988-b6b94b72d711fa1b86e22576320a4322.pdf

Pre-Event

d104306-988-f9d856f7fc4121ae37de81bef3ac1d21.pdf