University's Global Expansion Program sponsored by the Ministry of Education done in Kobe

Innovation Dojo Japan recently delivered a global entrepreneurship program in Kobe, bringing together students from Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, and Canada for an intensive, hands-on learning experience.

As part of an University's Global Expansion Program sponsored by the Ministry of Education, this project is led by Kansai University of International Studies and supported by partner universities across five countries. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to evolve, combining global perspectives with real-world execution.

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Program Highlights

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1. Turning real challenges into real opportunities

In collaboration with local companies in Kobe, participants engaged in workshops based on real business challenges.

From day one, students developed an understanding of each company’s business and market environment, identifying user needs, and testing ideas that could realistically work in today’s world. This approach enabled participants to experience the full cycle of problem-solving in a real-world context.

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2. Learning by building, not just listening

The program is designed as a journey, taking participants from initial problem discovery all the way to pitching a business concept.

Through a design thinking framework, students worked through:

• Problem Definition
• Ideation
• Business Model Design
• Pitch Development

Supported by workshops, mentoring, and peer collaboration, each team transformed early concepts into structured, presentable business.

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3. Cross-cultural collaboration in a global environment

One of the most powerful elements of the program is its diversity. A total of 24 students from the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Canada, and Japan participated in the program, forming multinational teams. Every discussion became a space where different perspectives met, sometimes aligned, sometimes challenged each other, but always pushed ideas further. Navigating language differences, cultural nuances, and contrasting approaches, teams developed not only better solutions, but also the ability to work effectively in global environments.

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4. From ideas to impact

The program concluded with the International Student Entrepreneurship Conference, where each team presented their final pitch. From AI-driven food solutions to next-generation tourism experiences, the ideas reflected both creativity and practicality, shaped by real-world insights and collaboration.

More importantly, participants walked away with something far beyond a pitch deck, a deeper understanding of how to create value in a global context.

Looking Ahead

At Innovation Dojo Japan, we see entrepreneurship education as more than knowledge transfer. It is about creating environments where people can challenge themselves, collaborate across borders, and build something meaningful.

We will continue to expand and refine programs like this, working closely with universities, companies, and public institutions to develop globally capable talent and contribute to the growth of the startup ecosystem.

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