Renowned Advisors to Provide Mentorship! Nikkei Launches Business School to Nurture Young Social Entrepreneurs

The Nikkei, Inc. is now accepting applications for 'NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL 2026-27 (3rd cohort)', a hands-on business school designed for high school students, university students, and young professionals in their 20s who are seriously committed to tackling social and customer challenges through social entrepreneurship. Approximately 12 selected teams will be able to participate free of charge, receiving practical education and opportunities to showcase their initiatives through Nikkei's exclusive network, supporting their efforts to solve social issues. The application deadline is August 24, 2026 (Monday).

Centered on the concept of 'Let's walk together on paths few have taken,' this school is a program where young individuals passionate about social entrepreneurship and social business deepen their personal inquiries and business ideas through dialogue with frontline practitioners (advisors), regional retreats, and mentor-led support. Applications are welcome even at the idea stage, supporting aspiring changemakers ready to take their first step toward society.

Upon completion of the program and participation in the graduation presentation to be held on February 10, 2027 (Wednesday) in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, graduates will be awarded an 'Alumni Certification'.

*For details, click here *Application form here

Second cohort graduates receiving certification at NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL 2025-26 (March 7, 2026, Chiyoda, Tokyo). At the business school, participants refine their social business ideas alongside diverse instructors, mentors, and buddies.

NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL, supported by renowned business leaders, held its final presentation for NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL 2025-26 (same day).

Hokkaido retreat for NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL 2025-26. Okinawa retreat for NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL 2025-26.

Second cohort of NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL. The network built through seminars and retreats becomes a valuable asset.

Five Opportunities Provided to Participants

・Societal Connections Enabled by Nikkei: Leverage Nikkei's unique network to provide opportunities for dialogue with leading companies and experts.

・Ongoing Seminars with Frontline Practitioners: Over five seminar sessions, participants will deepen their personal inquiries through lectures, dialogues, and repeated feedback.

・Retreat Programs in Hokkaido and Okinawa: Engage with regional challenges and refine business plans through dialogue with peers.

・Support from Mentors and Buddies: Provide accompaniment and support to address entrepreneurial anxieties and uncertainties, helping develop actionable plans.

・Media Exposure through Nikkei Platforms: Showcase seminar sessions, retreats, and graduation presentations on the official website and Nikkei's media platforms.

＜Reference＞ Voices from Second Cohort Participants (Testimonials and Growth)

Participants from the second cohort (2025-26 academic year) of this program, now active as alumni (graduates), have shared the following feedback (excerpted):

・Program Quality and Personal Growth

"Interacting with the diverse instructors' experiences and thought processes gave me the opportunity to review my business purpose and direction from a bird's-eye view. I realized the importance of transforming my personal experiences and emotions into positive energy and translating them into concrete actions and 'practice,' rather than remaining in theoretical learning or well-intentioned activities."

・Bonding with Peers and Mentors

"Despite being strangers at first, I met irreplaceable peers with whom I could openly share vulnerabilities and ambitions and engage in serious discussions. The trust and network built through accurate feedback from frontline mentors will be a significant asset in the future."

・Insights and Intensive Time During Regional Retreats

"The retreats in Hokkaido and Okinawa were incredibly intense, with passionate discussions continuing late into the night even after the program ended—truly a '24-hour acceleration.' Inspired by the region's advanced initiatives and space creation, I gained a major opportunity to reexamine the origins of my life and business."

NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL 2026-27 Recruitment Overview

・Application Deadline: August 24, 2026 (Monday). Selected participants attend free of charge.

*For details, click here *Application form here

*School participants (selected applicants) are required to attend all program components in principle. Participation eligibility may be revoked mid-program if the orientation session or either of the two retreats cannot be attended after selection.

○ Eligibility: High school students to individuals in their 20s (as of August 24, 2026), including students, individuals, or groups aiming to solve social issues through ventures within three years of founding or aspiring to start a venture.

*Applications are also accepted as part of an organizational team.

*For orientation and seminars, up to two members per group; for retreats, only one member per group may attend.

Selection Process

・Application documents + 2-minute video

*The video should effectively convey not only the business content but also the applicant's passion and mission. Unless there is a special reason, the applicant should appear in the video.

*Individual online interviews may be conducted (scheduled for mid-to-late September) as part of the selection process.

Selection Criteria

・Social Impact: The mission of the venture is to solve social challenges.

・Business Viability: The venture appears capable of sustaining continuous business activities using business methods.

・Innovation: The venture has the potential to create new business models or social impact.

Applications will be evaluated based on social contribution, as well as novelty, market potential, scalability, and growth potential of the business model.

Participation Fee

・Selected participants attend free of charge (application is free).

Schedule

<2026>

・August 24 (Mon): Application deadline

・Early September: Document screening

Individual online interviews may be conducted as needed

・Around September 10: Announcement of 3rd cohort

・September 16 (Wed): Orientation (online, scheduled from 7:00 PM)

・October 9 (Fri) to 12 (Mon, holiday): Retreat ① Hokkaido, Higashikawa Town

・December 26 (Sat) to 29 (Tue): Retreat ② Okinawa, Motobu Town

・October to January 2027: Seminars (5 sessions scheduled: ① October 19, 2026 (Mon) / ② November 11, 2026 (Wed) / ③ November 26, 2026 (Thu) / ④ December 7, 2026 (Mon) / ⑤ January 12, 2027 (Tue))

<2027>

・February 10 (Wed): Graduation Presentation

Venue: TODA HALL & CONFERENCE TOKYO (1-7-1 Kyobashi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo)

○ The graduation presentation is a platform for participants to present their refined business plans to society. Graduates will showcase the results of their journey, incorporating insights from peers and advisors, in a sophisticated venue with excellent facilities. Participants who complete the program will be awarded the 'Alumni Certification'.

○ Graduation