＜Let’s think together about how to create a business that is ahead of the times using Design Thinking and AI!＞
-Workshop to be counted as points for Entrepreneurship Courses, an event for SPRING program,
and students may participate without enrolling in the course–
Outline
This “IdeaThon” is a two-day workshop where you generate business idea by utilizing the methodology of Design Thinking and AI technologies.
This workshop is suitable for those who want to seize the “near future” before anyone else. All around us, there are people living “half a step ahead in the future” that no one has paid attention to yet. Why not talk to them and come up with new business ideas based on the real needs you discover?
Features of this workshop
・Interview people of the near future!: We’ll use unique tools to interview people with cutting-edge lifestyles.
・Utilize generative AI!: Learn how to use widely-known AI to generate ideas and sharper ideas.
・Individual participation is welcome!: Teams will be formed on the day, so anyone can join in by yourself!
Agenda
【Day 1】Saturday, January 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.
・Basics of idea generation (how to identify needs, the significance and methods of interviewing people in the near future)
・How to use generative AI (easy for beginners)
・Practical idea generation exercise
・Homework: Recruit interviewees online, interview one person, and record the results
【Day 2】Saturday, January 24, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.
・Creating a business idea from the interview results
・Final pitch contest (presentation of results)
Recommended for:
・Students who want to tackle social challenges through business
・Students who want to take on new challenges using AI
・Students who want to gain practical experience that can be applied to job hunting
・Students who want to put “Design Thinking” methodology to practical use
Application to participate in the workshop
Please fill out the required information in the form below and submit it. We will contact you to let you know whether you can participate.
This workshop can be taken as part of the Entrepreneurship Course. If you want to enroll in the course, please read the information on the Intensive Course Enrollment Guide page and apply with other workshops.
You are also welcome to participate in the workshop as a one-time attendee. Please register using the form below.
Workshop Details
| Category | Innovation |
| Date & Time | Saturday, January 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Venue | S4-202, 2nd floor, South Building 4, Ookayama Campus |
| Language | Japanese/English |
| Capacity | Maximum of 40 students |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral students (You may participate even without enrolling in the course) |
| Points granted | 8 points in total（4+4） |
| Facilitator | Takashi Tsutsumi, CEO, Startup Brain Co., Ltd. |
Facilitator
Takashi Tsutsumi
Startup Brain Co., Ltd.（http://startupbrain.jp/）
Mr. Tsutsumi runs an incubation program that utilizes the commercialization process to invest in and develop startups. His strength is management support, which combines his experience of launching new businesses and venture investments spanning over 20 years at a general trading company, Silicon Valley, and domestic VCs with his knowledge of commercialization methods such as the “customer development model.” His translated works include “The Four Steps to the Epiphany” by Steve Blank.
Reference: Beyond the IdeaThon Workshop!
Whether a business idea can become a viable business requires verifying whether it actually resonates with users, whether it generates value, and when this will be realized. Those studies can be done through the “Lean Launchpad” program, which will be held in 1Q2Q of the next year (2026). This program will be conducted as part of the “Master’s/Doctoral Practical Group work for Entrepreneurship I/II (S)” and “Bachelor’s Practical Group Work for Value Creation A” courses. This IdeaThon is positioned as an introductory program for these courses, but even those who are not planning to participate in “Lean Launchpad” are welcome to participate in this IdeaThon.
Contact
Questions and requests for consultation are always welcome.
Keisuke Yamada
Specially Appointed Professor
Academy for Leadership(ToTAL)/Center for Entrepreneurship Education(CEE)
E-mail address: yamada.k.9f82@m.isct.ac.jp
Office: S6-309B (3rd floor, South Building 6, Ookayama Campus)
