A Life Changing Journey: Western Students Explore Entrepreneurship in Japan
Eight Western Sydney University students embarked on an incredible two-week journey to Japan, where they had the unique opportunity to explore the intersection of culture, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The third iteration of the Venture Makers Global Exchange Program took place in Kobe, Japan, and was hosted by Kansai University of International Studies, with support from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). Run by Innovation Dojo Japan, this immersive experience allowed students to develop real-world entrepreneurial skills while tackling industry challenges alongside students from five international universities.
A Balanced and Immersive Entrepreneurial Program
The two-week program was split into two phases: the first week focused on learning about Japan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, engaging in site visits, and understanding the challenges posed by industry partners, while the second week was dedicated to applying the knowledge gained to solve real-world problems and present solutions through startup pitches.
"The highlight of the program was getting to pitch for a multi-billion dollar company. Plus I gained new friends and made memories that will last a lifetime."
Industry Challenges: Real Problems, Creative Solutions
The students were divided into teams of 4-5 and tasked with solving challenges posed by two major industry partners:
Fujicco, a major Japanese food producer, challenged students on how they could help the company break into international markets with their soy and kombu products.
The Australian Pavilion team for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka challenged the students to innovate around queue management and create seamless experiences for large event crowds.
“From working together with people and presenting a pitch I learnt how to speak confidently and how to come up with creative solutions when it comes to starting a business – especially since I’m not a business student.”
Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Diverse Teams, Diverse Perspectives
The program brought together students from five partner universities: Vancouver Island University (Canada), Keele University (UK), Kansai University of International Studies (Japan), University of Delhi (India), and Western Sydney University (Australia). The students, with diverse academic backgrounds ranging from computer science and business to law and marketing, were randomly assigned to teams, allowing them to collaborate across cultures and disciplines.
“For my start-up group, we had individuals from India, China, Australia and Japan. And one of the greatest experiences was the cross-cultural collaboration. Hearing everyone’s perspective on how to form a business was very cool"
While there were inevitable language and cultural barriers, the students worked together with respect and empathy, discovering that these differences helped strengthen their solutions. Each team combined their unique perspectives to create well-rounded and innovative ideas, highlighting how effective cross-cultural collaboration can be in the entrepreneurial space.
Site Visits and Real-World Insights
The program also included impactful site visits to Fujicco’s headquarters in Kobe, a brand-new innovation precinct in Osaka; Grand Green Osaka, and local co-working spaces like Jam Base & Anchor Kobe. During these visits, students met with key personnel from the companies, who presented their work and innovations, providing valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship in Japan.
A highlight of the Fujicco visit was a food tasting session, where students were able to sample the company’s products while learning about their expansion efforts.
On Awaji Island, students explored how entrepreneurship could revitalize regions, particularly in rural Japan. They were also introduced to local initiatives, such as the Awaji Island Ballet, which supports Ukrainian refugees by offering them a new start in Japan.
Azal, one of the students, was particularly moved by the interaction with Emi Hariyama, the ballet’s founder, who is using entrepreneurship to create positive social change.
Outside of their work on the startup challenges, the students made the most of their time in Japan. They formed close bonds, enhancing their collaboration, and immersed themselves in local culture by sampling authentic Japanese food, shopping, and sightseeing.
The Entrepreneurial Speed Run: From Idea to Pitch
In the second week, the pace quickened. Students participated in workshops on public speaking, business modeling, storytelling, and pitch preparation. They had templates and guides to help structure their pitches effectively and practiced presenting their ideas to their peers and mentors. .
“One of the main things that I took away from the end of the program was that your business idea should be easy to comprehend. By both your customers and partners. Communication is super important because no one is going to buy your product if they don’t know what it is.”
Each team was mentored by the Innovation Dojo team, as well as faculty members who were randomly assigned to support their assigned startups. In just four days, students were able to refine their ideas, develop their startup concepts, and prepare for a final pitch to a panel of judges.
One student, Atem, shared, “I felt so motivated by how driven the students were and wished I could be in that kind of environment more often.”
Pitching the Startups: Innovation in Action
The program culminated in the final pitch competition, where five startups were formed—two focused on the Fujicco challenge, and three addressed the Australian Pavilion’s queue management challenge.
Fujicco Challenge:
- Floofi – An international recipe app that introduces new dishes and helps consumers find the ingredients needed, focusing on traditional cuisines. It uses AR to guide users through grocery stores, making it easier to locate ingredients in both domestic and international markets. The app also helps food manufacturers showcase their products in diverse recipes.
- Verifood – An online platform that uses Blockchain technology that enhances consumer trust by verifying the ethical and sustainable practices behind products.
Australian Pavilion Challenges:
- Event Echo – Focuses on data collection for events, utilizing AI and different input devices to gather feedback in real-time. This could be helpful for event organizers looking to analyze attendee experiences and improve future events.
- QueQue – Uses Augmented Reality (AR) to transform waiting in line into an immersive and engaging experience. Instead of standing passively in queues, people could interact with AR features while they wait, making the process more entertaining.
- GoBand Smart Flow – A wearable smart band designed to help with crowd management. It tracks data, helps with emergency location tracking, and could be used to monitor crowd density, making it useful for large gatherings or festivals.
The startups were evaluated based on five criteria: Clarity, Innovation, Impact, Presentation, and Feasibility. In a highly competitive atmosphere, the judges awarded the Fujicco Award to Team Verifood, and the Australian Pavilion Awardto Team Event Echo. The People’s Choice Award went to Team QueQue.
Although the competition was fierce, all teams benefited from invaluable networking opportunities that could shape their entrepreneurial paths moving forward.
Empowering the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
By the end of the program, students left Japan not only with enhanced entrepreneurial skills but also with a new sense of confidence. They were empowered by their ability to navigate the startup process in a real-world context, collaborating with a diverse group of people from different cultures and academic backgrounds. Many students, like Atem, felt motivated to continue pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, realizing that entering the entrepreneurial space wasn’t as intimidating as it once seemed.
“After taking part in this experience, I just feel way more ready for life! My advice for future students is to go for it no matter what. Going into it I was very nervous, I didn’t know anyone and there was a language barrier but it ended up being the best experience of my life.”
