Student Social Entrepreneur Acceleration Program "Zeroichi" Opens Applications for 4th Cohort

Borderless Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, CEO Kazunari Taguchi, COO Masutaka Suzuki) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as the "Zeroichi Executive Committee," will begin accepting applications for the 4th cohort of the "Zeroichi" student social entrepreneur acceleration program, aimed at students aspiring to solve social issues, starting July 3, 2026 (Fri).

"Zeroichi" is a public-private partnership acceleration program that cultivates the next generation of social entrepreneurs who solve social issues through business. Since its launch in 2023, approximately 700 applications have been received from students tackling social issues, and 53 individuals have been selected as "Zeroichi students" to date, working on creating businesses that address social issues and developing beta versions of services and products.

For the 4th cohort, to provide more students with opportunities to challenge themselves than ever before, the program will be implemented in two stages. Twenty individuals who pass the document and interview screening will participate in the "Zeroichi Step Program," focusing on building business ideas and business development planning. Ten individuals selected in a subsequent screening will advance to the "Zeroichi Jump Program" for approximately five months, where they will engage in practical business development aimed at simultaneously solving social issues and achieving business growth through mentoring by leading social entrepreneurs, workshops, and service/product validation.

Zeroichi Official Website: https://01zeroichi.jp/program1/

◼︎ What is the "Zeroichi" Student Social Entrepreneur Acceleration Program?

"Zeroichi" is a public-private partnership acceleration program that cultivates the next generation of social entrepreneurs who solve social issues through business.

Launched in 2023 with the aim of nurturing young social entrepreneurs who will lead the next generation, targeting students residing in Japan who aspire to solve social issues. This year marks the 4th iteration of the program.

For approximately six months, students addressing social issues will be provided with opportunities to practically acquire the mindset and skill set necessary for social entrepreneurs through lectures and mentoring by leading social entrepreneurs, workshops, and business development support.

Students who think, "I am working to solve social issues, but I want to shape it into a sustainable business," or "I have started a business, but I can't see a path to the next stage of growth," will gather and challenge themselves to create businesses that generate new value for society while striving alongside peers and mentors.

Since its launch in 2023, approximately 700 individuals have applied, and 53 students have been selected as "Zeroichi students" to date, working on service/product development and business validation.

Zeroichi students during the 3rd cohort (FY2025) event.

New Initiatives for the 4th Cohort (FY2026)

Transition to a Two-Stage Program Starting with 20 Participants

This year, to provide more students with opportunities to challenge themselves, the program will be implemented in two stages.

Twenty individuals who pass the first (document) and second (interview) screenings will participate in the "Zeroichi Step Program," focusing on building business ideas and business development planning over approximately one month.

Subsequently, a third screening will be conducted based on the efforts during the program and business plans, and 10 selected individuals will advance to the "Zeroichi Jump Program."

In the Jump Program, participants will engage in full-scale business development aimed at simultaneously solving social issues and achieving business growth over approximately five months, through mentoring by social entrepreneurs, workshops, and beta version development.

◼︎ Program Features (Support Content)

<Zeroichi Step Program> 20 participants selected through document and interview screening

〇 3-Day Kick-off Camp (Late August)

A 3-day kick-off camp will be held in Tokyo to learn how to create businesses that address the essence of social issues. It provides an opportunity for like-minded individuals to deepen their bonds while striving together.

〇 Online Support

Following the camp, online support will be provided to refine business plans.

〇 Step Program Outcome Presentation (Late September)

As a result of approximately one month of work, 20 participants will present their business plans to mentors and stakeholders. A third screening will be conducted based on the presentation content and efforts during the period, selecting 10 individuals for the "Zeroichi Jump Program."

<Zeroichi Jump Program> 10 participants selected from the Step Program

〇 Intensive Support from Leading Social Entrepreneurs

Leading social entrepreneurs will serve as mentors, supporting business development and growth. They will provide ongoing support while focusing on business operations aimed at simultaneously creating social impact and achieving business growth.

〇 Multiple Intensive Camps

There will be a total of three intensive camps (scheduled) during the program period for concentrated business creation. This environment allows students with a strong passion for solving social issues to develop their businesses while striving together.

〇 Beta Version Development Support

In the latter half of the program, participants will work on validating and developing services and products as a beta version. Support will be provided as needed for crowdfunding launches and pitch practice sessions for investors.

〇 Final Pitch to Present Culmination

At the end of the program, the "Zeroichi Final Pitch" will be held to present the culmination of the Jump Program. Participants will present their business plans for tackling social issues, which they have refined.

◼︎ "Zeroichi" Program Social Entrepreneur Mentors

Practitioners in businesses that solve social issues will support "Zeroichi students" as mentors.

Ayano Ryugo, Director CSO, Spice Factory Inc.

Yutaro Koyanagi, Representative, JOYCLE Inc.

Hiroaki Tsujita, Representative Director, Waofull Inc.

Tomoyuki Hirose, Representative, Tomoshi Bito Inc.

Eiko Haraguchi, Representative, Borderless Burkina Faso

Masahiro Kawachi, Business Representative, Anosapo

Setsu Hanzawa, Representative, Borderless Academy

<General Mentors>

Kazunari Taguchi, Representative Director & CEO, Borderless Japan Co., Ltd.

Masutaka Suzuki, Representative Director & COO, Borderless Japan Co., Ltd.

JOYCLE Inc. is a regular member of the Impact Startup Association. "Zeroichi" and the Impact Startup Association collaborate to support social entrepreneurs and expand social impact.

◼︎ Application Overview

Eligibility: 〇 University (graduate school), junior college, vocational school, and college of technology students 〇 Individuals seriously considering social entrepreneurship and willing to engage in business development through the program *For other detailed conditions, please check the application guidelines on the official website.

Participation Fee: Free *Communication, transportation, accommodation, and meal expenses incurred during program participation will be borne by the participant. *Accommodation and transportation costs during the camp period will be partially supported.

Program Period: Late August 2026 - February 2027 (approx. 6 months)

For other details, please check the application guidelines on the special website.

Application Schedule and Method

Those considering applying for the program are requested to first complete a pre-registration (provisional application) on the official website. The main application form will be sent to those who complete the pre-registration.

Application Period: July 3, 2026 (Fri) - August 2, 2026 (Sun) 23:59 *Main application form acceptance period

Selection Period: Early August (Document/Interview Screening)

Kick-off Camp: August 24 (Mon) - 26 (Wed) In-person event (Tokyo)

Pre-registration here (Official Website)

◼︎ Program Information Sessions

Online information sessions will be held on the following dates. During these sessions, we will provide more detailed information about the program's features and appeal, with past "Zeroichi" participants invited as guests.

If you wish to participate, please apply via the "Details/Application" button.

Schedule: July 21 (Tue) 19:00-20:30 Content: 1 Program Overview 2 Talk Session: Hear from Zeroichi Graduates! The Appeal of Zeroichi 3 Q&A

Program Information Session Details/Application

Organizer/Operator

The "Zeroichi Executive Committee," which organizes and operates this program, consists of Borderless Japan Co., Ltd., which has been dedicated to fostering social entrepreneurs for many years, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, with the aim of supporting the next generation of social issue solvers.

Organizer/Operator: Zeroichi Executive Committee (Borderless Japan Co., Ltd., Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

Contact Information

Zeroichi Executive Committee

[email protected]

About Borderless Japan Co., Ltd.

Established in 2007 as a company that only engages in social businesses that solve social issues. It operates 45 businesses in 15 countries worldwide addressing various social problems such as poverty, environment, education, and gender, with projected sales of 10.5 billion yen in FY2025.

Recognized for its ecosystem that continuously produces social entrepreneurs, it has received awards such as the "Good Design Award Business Model Division (2019)," "Company Award to Cherish - Special Jury Prize (2019)," and "CSA Award - Company Creating "Next-Generation Talent" Recommended for 20s." In October 2023, it announced its new purpose, "SWITCH to HOPE: Transforming Social Issues into Everyone's Hope," to advance the resolution of social issues to the next stage. It aims to create systems for more people to work together towards a better society.

Official Website: https://www.borderless-japan.com/

Company Name: Borderless Japan Co., Ltd.

Location: Tenjin Futata Bldg. 4F, 3-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City

Established: 2007

Representative: Kazunari Taguchi, Representative Director & CEO

Business Activities: Business development aimed at solving social problems (herb tea business, leather goods business, crowdfunding business, social business school business)