Holding "HFX Academy & Buddy 2026"

The Organization for Industry-Academia Collaboration and Regional Co-creation at Hokkaido University, Scrum Ventures LLC, and Scrum Studio Inc. will hold the "HFX Academy & Buddy 2026," a hands-on entrepreneurship education program for students. This program is part of the global acceleration program "Hokkaido F Village X (hereinafter referred to as 'HFX')" and aims to connect domestic and international startups interested in business development in Hokkaido and the Hokkaido Ball Park F Village with students in Hokkaido.

◆Background of Implementation

Hokkaido offers an ideal environment for globally active innovators, with its attractions in nature, food, sports/entertainment, tourism, and advanced technology. On the other hand, it is also a region where Japan's social issues, such as aging and population decline, are becoming more serious. "HFX" aims to solve regional issues, improve people's daily lives, and revitalize the region through business co-creation by connecting domestic and international cutting-edge startups with Hokkaido, where such attractions and advanced challenges coexist.

"HFX Academy & Buddy" is a program designed for students to experience the reality of business creation and encounter diverse values and perspectives by participating hands-on as "Buddies" who support global startups, rather than just being observers. Students who learn about startups and innovation in "HFX Academy" and are selected through an application process based on their learning will act as support staff for domestic and international startups from August onwards, engaging in communication with companies, attending meetings, and providing on-site operational support.

◆HFX Academy

This program is for students interested in "Global x Hokkaido x New Business Creation" and teaches the process of startups creating new businesses and services in collaboration with companies and local governments through role-playing.

【Date】 Saturday, July 11, 2026, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Reception starts at 12:30 PM) 【Location】 Hokkaido University International Center for Food and Medical Innovation (11-21 North 21 West 11, Kita-ku, Sapporo) 20-minute walk from N18Jyo Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line 【Organizers】 Organization for Industry-Academia Collaboration and Regional Co-creation at Hokkaido University, Scrum Ventures, Scrum Studio Inc. 【Target Audience】 University students, technical college students (4th-5th year/specialized course), and graduate students in Hokkaido 【Number of Applicants】 Approximately 30 【Participation Fee】 Free 【Language】 Japanese 【Program】 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM PoC Experience Workshop 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Networking Reception 【How to Apply】 Please apply via the following URL by July 7 (Tue). https://forms.gle/72r2o82G7GfquSGr8

【Media Application】 Those wishing to cover the event, please contact Shiraishi at the Organization for Industry-Academia Collaboration and Regional Co-creation by July 9 (Thu) via email or phone. Email: entre-edu@mcip.hokudai.ac.jp TEL: 011-706-9485

For program details, please visit the following URL. https://hsfc.jp/events/202606151450/

◆HFX Buddy

Selected students will act as dedicated supporters for startups, experiencing real business development and global business operations firsthand. Activities are scheduled to begin in August.

<About HFX> "HFX" is a global acceleration program aiming for business co-creation between global startups and partner companies, local governments, universities, support organizations, and regional players, with Hokkaido and the Hokkaido Ball Park F Village as its base, focusing on enhancing Hokkaido's appeal and solving regional issues. It is operated by Scrum Ventures and Scrum Studio Inc. In the first term held in 2025, 310 startups from 29 countries applied, and 11 were selected. Ten business co-creation projects were realized in approximately six months. The second term is currently recruiting startups, with selected startups to be decided in August 2026, and new business co-creation projects are scheduled to begin. URL: https://hfx.jp/

<About Scrum Ventures> Scrum Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups based in the United States and Japan. To date, it has invested in over 140 innovative startups in a wide range of fields, including AI & Robotics, Climate Tech, Mobility, Healthcare, Commerce, and Sports & Entertainment. In addition to funding, it works to increase the corporate value of its portfolio companies by providing business growth support, introducing co-investors, supporting global expansion, and facilitating business partnerships. Through its subsidiary, Scrum Studio Inc., it also engages in new business creation between Japanese companies and global startups. URL: https://scrum.vc/ja/

<About Scrum Studio Inc.> Scrum Studio Inc., which engages in new business creation between Japanese companies and global startups, supports co-creation with leading large corporate partners, startups, and local governments using open innovation methods. It operates a "Business Co-creation Business" that plans and manages programs such as "HFX" and "Full Bloom," and an "Incubation Business" that supports the entry of overseas startups into Japan. Scrum Studio Inc. promotes the creation of new businesses and value between Japanese companies and startups worldwide. URL: https://scrum.vc/ja/studio/

【Contact Information】 ●Akito Shiraishi, Startup Creation Headquarters, Organization for Industry-Academia Collaboration and Regional Co-creation, Hokkaido University TEL: 011-706-9716 FAX: 011-706-9550 Email: entre-edu@mcip.hokudai.ac.jp URL: https://www.mcip.hokudai.ac.jp/

●Scrum Studio Inc. Public Relations Office (within MoMo Dialogue LLC) Kitao, Tsuchida TEL: 090-8052-7925 (Kitao), 090-8568-8449 (Tsuchida) Email: hfxpr@scrum.vc

【Distributor】 ●Public Relations Division, Hokkaido University Society-Industry Co-creation Department (5-1 Kita 8 Nishi, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0808) TEL: 011-706-2610 FAX: 011-706-2092 Email: jp-press@general.hokudai.ac.jp

●Scrum Ventures / Scrum Studio Inc. (10F WeWork Hibiya Fort Tower, 1-1-1 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003) Email: contact@scrum.vc