Goofy Inc. and Geechs Inc. Launch Co-Hosted FDE Development Program — Delivering Practical 'Consulting × Project Management' Skills for the AI Era

Goofy Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hikaru Yagi; hereinafter 'Goofy') announces the launch of the FDE Development Program on July 15, 2026, co-hosted with Geechs Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO and Representative Director: Minoru Sogenbara; hereinafter 'Geechs'), operator of Japan’s largest IT freelancer agency, 'GEECHS JOB'. The program is designed for registered IT freelancers seeking to enhance their practical skills in consulting and project management to qualify as Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs).

Background of the Program Launch

As the first step in Geechs’ 'Evolution Declaration to an AX Support Platform' announced in June 2026, this program offers registered IT freelancers a structured curriculum to systematically acquire practical consulting and PM skills, aiming for direct project engagement as FDEs.

According to a corporate survey (※2) conducted by 'GEECHS JOB', 96% of companies have begun using generative AI, yet only 12% have achieved company-wide standardization. The root cause of this gap lies in the shortage of talent capable of implementing AI in real business operations and transforming it into tangible business impact.

With AI rapidly automating and streamlining coding tasks, routine implementation work is increasingly being handled by AI systems. As a result, the skills demanded of engineers are shifting rapidly from 'How (how to implement)' to 'What / Why (what to build and why)' — specifically, upstream capabilities such as problem identification, requirements definition, and stakeholder management.

Furthermore, according to estimates by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (※3), there will be a projected shortage of 3.39 million specialists capable of leveraging advanced technologies like AI by 2040. Data from 'GEECHS JOB' also shows a sharp increase in demand for FDEs, AX consultants, and PMs who can handle upstream processes.

In response to these market shifts, 'GEECHS JOB', which has supported IT freelancers’ careers for over 20 years, has decided to go beyond simple job matching and actively support engineers’ skill transformation. The initiative is named 'Update Guild' — a space for upskilling and reskilling where engineers can continuously update themselves and grow alongside like-minded peers. The FDE Development Program marks the first initiative under this new vision. Having witnessed the present and future of IT freelancers from the front lines, this program embodies Geechs’ commitment to take on the role of talent developer.

※1 Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE): A role that deeply embeds into or is stationed at the client’s frontline to immediately solve business challenges.

※2 GEECHS JOB Survey: Interview survey conducted with 180 client and prospective companies (March 1–16, 2026)

※3 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 'Revised Employment Structure Projections for 2040,' March 2026

About 'Update Guild'

'Update Guild' is a dedicated space for upskilling and reskilling, where engineers aim to continuously update themselves and grow through mutual inspiration with peers who share the same aspirations.

As its first initiative, the 'FDE Development Program' will cultivate FDE talent by enabling participants to acquire project management and consulting skills. By combining GEECHS JOB’s talent pool and project access with Goofy’s practical expertise in IT/DX consulting, the program creates an environment where learning leads directly to practice and real project opportunities, while fostering a supportive community.

Program Name

FDE Development Program (First Initiative of 'Update Guild')

Number of Sessions

Kickoff + 6 sessions

Duration

Approx. 3 hours per session

Capacity

Approx. 40 participants (selective admission)

Target Audience

IT freelancers registered with 'GEECHS JOB'

*Program content is subject to change without prior notice

Program Content

Following the kickoff on July 15, the FDE Development Program will begin on July 22 and consist of three phases. Designed based on Goofy’s practical knowledge gained from real-world consulting and project management experience, the program enables participants to progressively acquire skills through biweekly lectures and inter-lecture assignments.

[Phase 1] Business Transformation & Strategy Design (Sessions 1–2): Learn the top upstream processes of business: 'problem identification' and 'strategy formulation.' Acquire skills in problem framing, hypothesis-driven thinking, KPI design, and ROI evaluation to understand business through data.

[Phase 2] Project Execution & Management (Sessions 3–4): Develop the 'communication' and 'execution' skills needed to turn strategy into reality. Learn logical thinking, document creation, PM skills, and an overview of DX.

[Phase 3] Integrated Workshop (Sessions 5–6): Apply core skills to solve real-world business challenges through practical proposal exercises. Receive feedback and demonstrate FDE-level practical capabilities.

Program Features

[1. Becoming an FDE by Combining 'Technical Skills' with 'Business Transformation Skills']

FDEs are professionals who combine business understanding, technology, and project execution. This program aims to significantly enhance engineers’ market value by building consulting and PM capabilities on top of their existing technical expertise.

[2. Curriculum Developed from Real-World IT/DX Consulting Experience]

Goofy is a specialized IT/DX consulting and engineering group under the Lib Consulting Group. The curriculum is built from frontline insights gained in IT consulting environments where delivering tangible results is paramount.

[3. Three Project Opportunities After Completion]

Upon completion, participants will gain access to project introductions and business meeting opportunities from GEECHS JOB, Goofy, and Lib Consulting. Additionally, the program supports ongoing connections, learning, and career development through a dedicated participant community.