Overview of the Program
The Social Innovator Hub (SIH) is a co-creation hub that brings together talent from Japan and developing nations to address social challenges through business innovation. As part of the SIH, Japan International Cooperation Agency is organizing the 2nd SIH Incubation Program, that aims to co-create innovative solutions to lingering social challenges by inviting talented and passionate young social innovators from developing countries and providing them with opportunities to collaborate with Japanese startups and academia who have cutting-edge technologies that can be applied to such challenges.
Over the course of the two-month program, participants from various countries will co-create business ideas address social issues through discussion with Japan’s leading university with a particular strength in science and technology - Tohoku University - laboratories and startups.
On the last day of the program, there will be a pitch session where participants present their ideas to accelerators, startups, and potential investors.
We are seeking participants to co-create innovative ideas that can solve challenges in your own country.
| Venue | Tohoku University, etc. (Including online lectures) |
|---|---|
| Program Period |
February 10th ~ March 28th , 2025（Tentative） (10 hours a week) |
| Application |
Click here to apply for the first screening:https://sih2.throttle.biz/campaigns/1313/posts/new |
| Deadline |
January 12th, 2025 (Sun.) 23:59 |
| Language | English |
| Course fee | Free |
| Participant countries | Japan, Nigeria, Peru, Indonesia, Mongolia • Approximately 10 students from Tohoku University • Approximately 3 students from each country |
▼ For more Information
https://www.jica.go.jp/english/activities/issues/private_sec/information/2024/sih2025_2nd.html
▼ For a glance at the 1st program (in August to September 2024)
https://youtu.be/h2B50uUjaCA
Program Details
This program emphasizes matching the technologies and expertise of Tohoku University and startup companies with participants. Participants from Tohoku University will collaborate with participants from developing countries, as well as Tohoku University laboratories and startups in the Tohoku region, to create and refine business ideas aimed at solving social issues in both developing countries and Japan.
After passing the screening process in January 2025, participants from Developing Countries and Tohoku University with similar areas of interest will be teamed up. Throughout the program, each team will engage in discussions with affiliated laboratories, startups, and external mentors.
In the February 'International Phase,' Tohoku University students will be trained in skills such as 'user research' and 'opportunity area definition.' They will work with insights gained from the research on local issues conducted by participants from developing countries to further refine their ideas.
During the 'Japan Phase' in March, when participants from developing countries visit Japan, they will engage in knowledge input and exercises on 'prototyping,' 'ideation,' and 'business modeling.' The findings from February's research will be developed into more concrete business pitches, with preparations made for the final presentation on Demo Day.
SIH Information Session
An online information session will be held to explain the Social Innovator Hub (SIH) 2nd program.
We look forward to your participation.
・Date： December 13th, 2024 (Fri) 12:00～13:00 *Online
・Outline： SIH content explanation, Q&A session *Conducted in English
・URL：
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MWYxODBjOGItZWNkZC00MjZlLThkZDUtNWRkMmM5ZWIzMDJl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22f31a65ef-cdea-4bcb-b2ab-eaf2434b871e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2237e754f9-1dfd-4d70-a5ee-4e32367d300a%22%7d
― Meeting ID: 496 763 137 315
― Password: Gx6Sn2zb
Contact
Please contact us via this inquiry form.
International Education Section
Student Exchange Division
Tohoku University
sed2@grp.tohoku.ac.jp