EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 (November Issue) |
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Launch of "iU Z Investment," a Fund Targeting Seed and Early-Stage Companies Led by Gen Z Entrepreneurs Under 30! Now Accepting Investors! We are launching as a limited liability company (LLC) and plan to operate in parallel with an LPS (Limited Partnership for Investment) in the future. If you are interested, please fill out the form so we can send you information materials and details about our informational sessions. |
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◆ Introducing
a B Lab Researcher |
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Mutsumi Okuyama / Representative Director, Will Co., Ltd. B Lab researchers are active on the front lines of various industries. This month, we spoke with Mutsumi Okuyama, Representative Director of Will, Inc., who launched the virtual lab “Let’s Create iU Beer!”—a program that helps participants discover local resources through the planning, production, and sales of university-developed craft beer, while learning the know-how of commercialization and collaboration. |
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◆ What’s New! for Each Project
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We are launching the “Broadcasters’ Testimonies” Archive Project in collaboration with the General Incorporated Association of Broadcasters. To preserve for future generations the firsthand accounts of pioneers who have been involved in Japan’s broadcast media and culture and have made significant contributions to the establishment of Japan’s broadcasting and visual culture—and to make these testimonies the cornerstone of future media culture—we are launching this archiving initiative and conducting joint research on methods of public disclosure and verification.
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“DX SKILL-UP FESTIVAL 2023” is a short-term, intensive, omnibus-style online course offered by the “iU Executive School,” a training program for corporate executives.Based on the concept of “equipping business professionals with the tools for DX,” we offer a variety of programs where participants can learn everything from strategic planning to marketing, design, finance, and practical on-the-job skills. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us. |
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“CHO KOUKA: An AI-Created School Song for Everyone,” a joint research project with RIKEN’s Center for Advanced Intelligence Project.We are currently developing a program that trains AI on school songs from across Japan to generate both music and lyrics. To learn more about the program’s development and progress, we’ve published interview articles with the Knowledge Acquisition Team, responsible for AI-generated lyrics, and the Music Information Intelligence Team, responsible for the music!
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On Wednesday, November 30, at 1:00 PM, we will host the second installment of the STREAM Challenge 2023 Technology Workshop, titled “~AI Fundamentals and Project Promotion~,” online (free of charge).Members from SoftBank who are actively engaged in AI-driven business development and DX talent development will share insights on how to realize AI-powered businesses. They’ll discuss the suitability of AI for specific challenges, as well as key considerations and approaches for successfully advancing AI projects.
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On Tuesday, November 29, we will host BFREE 2022, an industry-academia collaboration workshop on barrier-free technologies and services, online. The event will feature presentations and discussions not only on technologies and services for people with disabilities but also on innovations designed to make them accessible to the general public. We look forward to welcoming participants from a wide range of fields.
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Sumida Festival & Children’s Festival Project Students served as executive committee members for the district’s largest event, held for the first time in three years, handling planning and managing booths on the event days (October 1 and 2). Approximately 180,000 people attended over the two days, providing an opportunity to interact with local residents.
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◆ B Lab Hub Update: B Lab Yoyogi Cafe Interview Series A series of in-depth interviews hosted by Shinya Yamamoto, organizer of B Lab Yoyogi Cafe, featuring iU students who started businesses while still in school. We released two interviews this month!
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The first student interview features Takumi Noro and Satoshi Kisanuki, who founded Uplace Co., Ltd. Check out their passionate discussion about their educational business, which brings elementary school students’ “dreams and ideas”—such as “Turning Grandma’s Home Cooking into Space Food!”—to life.
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Daiki Ashida founded Lab12, Inc.
in 2021 and has continued to drive various business initiatives since then. His current focus is on regional revitalization using the metaverse! Be sure to check out the story of Mr. Ashida, a student who is already a serial entrepreneur.
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◆ Announcement
from the Secretariat We’ve given the B Lab website a little makeover! We’ve added pages for each branch and some animations, making it a much nicer site—be sure to check it out. Click here for the B Lab website. |
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◆ Announcements
from Partner Organizations and Researchers |
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● The social contribution app “actcoin” has officially partnered with Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture! A commemorative giveaway campaign to celebrate the collaboration has also begun! / Social Action Company, Inc. – Daichi Usui The social contribution app “actcoin” has officially launched its collaboration with Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture, following the signing of a partnership agreement. A special page promoting Takahama Town’s SDGs has gone live, and a giveaway campaign featuring ethical products is being held to celebrate the collaboration. ⇒ For details,
click here
● A new article has been published on Toyo Keizai Online / Shoichi Okawa
, Ryugaku Sommelier Co., Ltd. “Why ‘Naomi Watanabe’s Way of Life’ Will Inevitably Become the Norm in 10 Years”
In this article, I examined how we can achieve a global “life shift” in the future, using Naomi Watanabe’s story as a case study.
⇒ For details,
click here ● [Beginners Welcome
!] Let’s enjoy English conversation in our free online lounge! / RK English School · Richard Kawaguchi This is a free online English conversation lounge
open to everyone. Bilingual hosts will guide you every step of the way, so don’t worry if you lack confidence! English is all about getting used to it! We look forward to your participation! ⇒ Click
here
for details ● [Connecting the World and Maximizing Potential] / NFT Media
We’ve compiled information on NFTs from around the world—ranging from articles designed for those new to NFTs who might ask, “What exactly is an NFT?” to case studies like “NFT × [X]”!
Please give it a read! We’re also looking for members and writers to help run the media platform with us!
⇒ Click
here
for details ● We’re hosting online symposiums! / Learning
of Tomorrow will hold an online symposium during lunchtime (12:00 PM – 12:55 PM). We look forward to your participation. ・Thu, Nov. 17: “
Digital Citizenship Education: What Does It Mean to Learn to Be a Good Digital Citizen Who Uses ICT Positively?” Shun
Sakamoto, Professor, Faculty of Career Design, Hosei University ・Nov
. 30 (Wed.) “
Toward a Society That Understands, Supports, and Nurtures Unique Talents”
Masaya Iwanaga, President
, The Open University of Japan ● Call for Applications: Implementation Organizations for Depression Prevention Support / NPO “For
the Children’s Children’s Children” The NPO “For the Children’s Children’s Children” has been selected as a “fund distribution organization” under the Japan Network for Public Interest Activities (JANPIA)’s program for the utilization of dormant deposits and other funds.We are now accepting applications for “implementing organizations”
in Tokyo that carry out projects focused on depression prevention support and behavioral change.
⇒ For details,
here●
“Future Project” Film Project Launches / Future Project · Masami
Hamazaki With an eye toward the future and to solve social issues, we aim to engage the public and spark reflection through media activities. And we will move forward. A film project has been launched for this purpose. If you’re interested, we’d be delighted to have you join us—please feel free to contact us. ⇒ Click
here
for details ● [Experiment Results Announcement] The Dangers of “Video-Off” Meetings for Organizations ~ Online Communication That Immediately Boosts Productivity ~ (Free) / Tongari Team Research Institute · AKI (Masaaki Noguchi)
: Along with an explanation of the results from the “Experiment Verifying the Impact of Video ON and OFF in Online Communication,” we’ll share concrete measures companies should take now—including best practices for managing online meetings and key points for building organizations in a hybrid work environment. ⇒ Click here for
more details |
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November 2022, Vol. 5 Publisher: Nanako Ishido
Editor: ChikaAddress: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo info@blaboratory.org Masuda |
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