News
2026/07/28
GTIE Student Entrepreneurship Program (GTIE-SEP) 2026 Lean Launchpad Workshop (4 sessions total)—Now Accepting Applications!
“Greater Tokyo Innovation Ecosystem (GTIE)” is a platform comprising 18 universities and research institutions in the Greater Tokyo Area that aims to develop entrepreneurial talent and foster university-based startups capable of changing the world.
The “Lean Launch Pad” training program now open for applications is a training program for new business development and entrepreneurship that originated in Silicon Valley and was pioneered by serial entrepreneur Steve Blank.
Rather than letting ideas remain on the drawing board,
the program drives the cycle of “formulate a hypothesis → go out and validate it → learn and adjust course” at an unprecedented pace. Participants work in teams to share ideas and, through repeated interviews with actual potential customers, meet real customers, test their concepts, and learn—all while discovering “truly valuable businesses.”
Through this program, you’ll gain hands-on experience not only in entrepreneurship but also in how to turn your own aspirations into reality. Whether you’re tackling the process of refining and implementing an idea for the first time or revisiting it, you’ll gain new insights. Plus, the program offers valuable experiences and many opportunities to connect with others, so we encourage you to join us!
[ Overview ]
• Eligibility and Application Requirements
Regular students (undergraduate and graduate) at the 18 GTIE-participating universities who are interested in entrepreneurship education, solving social issues, and starting a business. Teams must be able to participate in all four training sessions. *The 18 GTIE-participating universities
Waseda University, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, University of Tsukuba,Chiba University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Ochanomizu University, Kanagawa Prefectural University of Health and Welfare, Yokohama National University, Yokohama City University, Keio University, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo University of Science, Ibaraki University, Sophia University, Tokai University, Chuo University
• To apply
Please apply here.
• Application Deadline
Application Deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM *Strictly enforced
• Program Overview:
Based on the Lean Launchpad curriculum, participants will refine their ideas into business models. Mentors will provide support to each team, from business model development to conducting customer interviews.
1. In-person training sessions (4 sessions total)
2. Number of Selected Teams: 8 teams (We recommend that each team consist of up to 4 members)
3. Eligibility: Full-time students (undergraduate and graduate) currently enrolled at GTIE universities
• Training Dates and Times:
Session 1: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Session 2: Sunday, October 25, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Session 3: Saturday, November 28, 14:00–18:00
Session 4: Saturday, December 26, 2026, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM
*The dates and times listed above are tentative. Times and other details are subject to change.
• Program Details (Tentative)
1. Formulating the Core Hypothesis of the Business
・Understanding the overall business development process
・Determine who the target customers are, what to offer them, and how to generate revenue
2. Validating the Core Hypothesis
• Confirm that there are people who will buy the product
3. Formulating and Validating the Overall Business Model Hypothesis
・Develop a business model for the product
・Verify that the business model is viable
4. Verifying Profitability and Creating a Pitch Deck
・Develop a revenue model and verify that it generates profit
• Create a pitch deck
• Instructor
Takashi Tsutsumi, Representative Director, Startup Brain Co., Ltd.
He operates a seed accelerator that fosters startup investment and growth by leveraging commercialization processes. His strength lies in management support that blends over 20 years of experience launching new businesses and investing in ventures—gained at a general trading company, in Silicon Valley, and at domestic venture capital firms—with expertise in commercialization methodologies such as the “Customer Development Model.”He holds a degree from the Faculty of Engineering at Tokyo University of Science and an MBA from McGill University. His translated works include “The Entrepreneur’s Handbook.”
• Recommended for people like this:
・Those interested in starting a business but unsure where to begin
・Those who want to test their business ideas in practice
・Want to develop their own solutions to social issues
・Those who want to develop “practical thinking skills” that will be useful in the future
• Training Venue
Tokyo University of Science, Campus Innovation Center
(2-minute walk from the Shibaura Exit of JR Tamachi Station; 5-minute walk from Exit A4 of Toei Subway Mita Station)
https://www.titech.ac.jp/0/maps/tamachi
• Other Information
・If there are a large number of applicants, a selection process may be conducted. We will notify the team representative regarding acceptance into the training program by 5:00 PM on September 1.
・You will be asked to join the GTIE SEP network (Slack); all communications will be handled through this platform.
・Selected participants will have access to the INDEST coworking space at Tokyo University of Science’s Tamachi Campus at any time until the end of March 2027 (excluding holidays and closed hours).
・Participation in this program is free of charge. However, participants are responsible for their own travel expenses to domestic venues and communication costs.
• Organizer
GTIE (Greater Tokyo Innovation Ecosystem)
• Planning and Implementation
Waseda University Entrepreneurship Center wgtie-office@list.waseda.jp