[Call for Entries] "DREAM JAPAN PROJECT 2024" – A Festival Where Students and Companies Collaborate to Transform Regional Futures

Dentsu Inc. Sodejin (Social Design Engine)※ is hosting the "DREAM JAPAN PROJECT 2024," inviting students nationwide to submit ideas for solving regional challenges in Japan.

The call for entries is divided into two courses: the "Corporate Challenge Course," where ideas submitted to solve regional challenges aim for business development and commercialization with corporate support, and the "Free Venture Project Course," supported by venture capital (VC) firms and startups. Selected ideas will be refined based on advice from participating companies, culminating in a presentation and awards event on Monday, November 11.

This project was launched to foster students' free ideas and collaborate with companies to build a vibrant, future-oriented Japan. For students, it aims to provide experience useful for comprehensive admissions (formerly AO admissions) and job hunting, free from constraints of academic background or financial status. For companies, it seeks to provide a platform to encounter energetic students and their ideas.

*Dentsu Sodejin (Social Design Engine): An internal virtual team originating from the personal aspirations of Dentsu Inc. employees seeking to improve society. Since its inception, it has pioneered new themes, insights, communication approaches, and systems within social design.

 

[Project Outline]
What are the challenges facing the region? What ideas can solve them?
A car you can drive at 100? An unexpected tourism development plan?
Regardless of education, money, or connections.
Your dreams and ideas to save your hometown, regions you care about, and ultimately Japan
with corporate support.
Young people, harness corporate power! Let's breathe new life into everyday life. Into tomorrow.
Create a richer, more joyful future for yourself.
Change the future with community spirit.

【Overview】
① Turn your ideas into businesses and products! "Corporate Challenge Course"
We're seeking ideas for new products and businesses that solve problems and bring happiness to your community and your own future, based on challenges provided by participating companies. (A second batch of challenge companies will be announced in July.)
② Match your dreams with VCs! "Free Entrepreneurship Planning Course "
Find local challenges and submit ideas to solve them.

Application Period: Saturday, June 15, 2024 - Sunday, September 15, 2024 (must arrive by 5:00 PM; online submission only)
Eligible Applicants: High school, vocational school, junior college, university, and graduate students nationwide
Application Site (note): https://note.com/dreamjjapan615/
How to Apply: Apply via Google Form https://forms.gle/endTc9xccDg8Kfbu8
Judging Panel:
① "Corporate Challenge Course"…Representatives from each participating company
② "Free Entrepreneurship Project Course"… Yuta Shimono (Chairperson, Founder of Muni, an AI development startup originating from the Matsuo Lab and Kyoto University), Tomoyuki Mizuno (Director and COO, Creww), Liang Ting (KUSABI), Yuya Murakami (East Ventures), Arisa Makihara (ANOBAKA), Rikuto Ikeda (Scrum Ventures), Shiho Takai (Quantum Leap Ventures), Naoyuki Otani (Gazelle Capital)
Organized by: Dentsu Inc. Sodejin (Social Design Engine)
Cooperation: 47Club
Sponsored by:
① "Corporate Challenge Course"... Sekisui House, TOYOTA CONIQ, Inc., NTT DOCOMO, Magtic (Fukui Prefecture functional eyewear), Inoue Kiln (Fukushima Prefecture ceramic tableware), Kanou Textiles (Kagoshima Prefecture Oshima Tsumugi Western-style clothing). Additionally, Mitsubishi Chemical, Kao, and Fujifilm Imaging Systems joined in July (Editor's note: Updated September 10)
② "Free Enterprise Planning Course"…Muni, Creww, KUSABI, East Ventures, ANOBAKA, Scrum Ventures, Quantum Leap Ventures, Gazelle Capital
Contact:dreamjapan@dentsu.co.jp