2025 Osaka University Spring Program

Overview

As part of Osaka university’s SPRING initiative (Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation), Innovation Dojo Japan delivered an entrepreneurship support program for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers.

The objective was to equip young researchers with the skills, frameworks, and mindset necessary to translate their research into real-world impact and to communicate effectively with global investors.

Our program combined online lectures, hands-on workshops, and a final pitch judging session resulting in the selection of the top 20 standout participants.

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Program Objective

The program was designed to align with Osaka University’s vision of empowering researchers to drive real-world impact:

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Program Delivered by Innovation Dojo Japan

Online Lecture Series

We created and delivered two recorded video lectures, designed specifically for research-based and deeptech ventures:

1. “Pitching Startups Globally: Introduction to Pitching & Venture Science Canvas”
   Covered global investor expectations, startup positioning, and the Venture Science Canvas framework.
2. “Pitching Startups Globally: Pitch Deck & VC Communication”
   Focused on storytelling, simplifying complex technology, and building investor-ready pitch decks.

In-Person Pitch Workshops at Osaka University

The workshops provided:

• Personalised feedback on pitch structure and messaging
• Peer review exercises to practice clarity and confidence
• Frameworks to transition academic language into market-aligned pitches

Judging at Final Pitch Event

To close the program, our CEO, Joshua Flannery joined the final pitch event as a judge, offering tailored feedback to each presenter and helping select the top 20 participants to receive further recognition and opportunities.

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‍Participant Feedback

• 94% of participants were satisfied with the teaching style
• 86% found the content easy to understand

Participant Voices

• ‍The pre-training, including pitch practice, was valuable. Building upon the pitch training, I was able to participate in a speech contest for science graduate students and even secured third place.
• Developing a startup pitch and delivering was a new experience for me, making this a highly valuable learning opportunity.
• Exploring the multifaceted considerations of launching a business unveiled new perspectives that I found enlightening and inspiring. Doing this work independently, I embraced the challenge of delivering my first English-language presentation, transforming it into a rewarding and empowering opportunity.
• Receiving questions from the instructor outside my specialty about a business model based on my research was a valuable opportunity.

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