Ridilover Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Toshiki Abe, hereinafter "Ridilover") will launch "Ridilover Quest," an incubation program that allows junior high and high school students residing in or attending school in Tokyo to actually create products and services starting from social issues and deliver them to customers, starting in July 2026. This program is implemented as a collaborative project selected for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "FY2025 Support Program for Startups by Diverse Entities" (TOKYO SUTEAM).

Click here for program details and application!

Application Deadline: July 26, 2026 (Sun)

Background

"I'm interested in social issues, but I don't know what I can do or what I should do." Many junior high and high school students feel this way. Even if opportunities to learn about social issues increase, they often stop at researching and writing reports. There are still limited places where students can take the next step to actually shape their proposed solutions and deliver them to those in need.

Ridilover Quest is a program designed to help participants figure out "what to do" by visiting the front lines of efforts to solve social issues. Participation is envisioned from the stage where the theme to be addressed is not yet solidified. Participants will start from a sense of everyday discomfort, such as "Why is this happening?" connect social issues with their own interests, and ultimately work on creating products and services that people would "want to pay for."

Program Overview

The program consists of two parts: the first half and the second half.

[First Half] (July - August 2026)

During summer vacation, participants will visit the sites of various social issues and interact with people active on the front lines to articulate how they want to engage with those issues. At the end of the summer break, a 3-day, 2-night summer camp will help shape these interests into themes they want to pursue. The themes articulated in the first half will remain after the summer, serving as a starting point for future career choices and research learning. Participation can be completed after the first half.

[Second Half] (September 2026 - February 2027)

Participants will shape the themes articulated in the first half into products and services. They will actually create prototypes, deliver them to people, make revisions if they don't work, and strive to deliver products and services that are evaluated as "worth paying for" to customers. For those participating throughout the entire program, it will be approximately an 8-month program. Considering the balance with academics and club activities, it is also possible to participate only in the first half and then decide whether to participate in the second half after completing the first half.

"Not just research" - Three steps to shape products and services

Mentors with experience in business development in social issue areas will provide step-by-step support.

STEP (1): Site Visits & Theme Determination

Participants will visit social issue sites that they wouldn't encounter in school, such as international exchange share houses, a 100-year-old dyeing workshop, a waste processing plant, and sites transforming vacant houses into disaster prevention hubs, and hear directly from people active on the front lines. They will decide on a theme to pursue based on their interests (visiting locations are subject to change).

STEP (2): Plan Creation & Brush-up

Participants will refine the problem awareness gained at the sites, with input from mentors and people at the sites, to develop a business plan that can truly get started.

STEP (3): Regular Meetings &成果発表会 (Achievement Presentation)

Participants will learn from peers with similar interests, inspire each other with their ideas, and move step by step towards the achievement presentation.

Three features that allow challenges while balancing with academics

Balancing with School Events and Hobbies

During the school term, activities are primarily online. No activities are scheduled during test periods, and site visits and camps are consolidated during long breaks. Pace can be adjusted with mentors during busy times.

Phased Steps

Observe the site, refine ideas, test, and revise. By taking one step at a time, participants will tackle the challenging task of creating something that can become a business, a difficult challenge even for adults.

Budget to Test Ideas

A budget will be provided to test the ideas developed. This can be used for actual implementation, such as creating prototypes or holding events.

Two Participation Styles

Applications are accepted in a lump sum, and participants can choose how to participate according to their schedule and interests.

Summer Challenge (Approx. 1.5 months)

Late July to August 2026. Visit at least three social issue sites and identify the social issue and how to engage with it during the summer camp. For those who want to "concentrate on a challenge during summer vacation first."

Approx. 8 Months of Support (Until end of February 2027)

Continuing from the theme decided during summer vacation into the fall and beyond. Participants will work all the way to delivering to customers by creating prototypes and holding events. Participation from the beginning or continuation after the summer vacation is possible.

Examples of Social Issue Sites to Visit

Considering Globalism at an International Exchange Share House (Foreigners, Multicultural Coexistence, Diversity)

Rethinking a Coexistent Society from Diverse Gender Identities (SOGIE, LGBTQ+, Creating Spaces)

Considering a Society Where Isolated Youth Can Rely on Someone (Youth, Spaces, Housing)

Considering the Future of Edo Komon at a 100-Year-Old Dyeing Workshop (Traditional Crafts, Successor Shortage, Artisans)

Considering a Circular Society from a Waste Processing Plant (Recycling, Resource Circulation, Industrial Waste)

Circular Town Development Transforming Vacant Houses into Disaster Prevention Hubs (Vacant Houses, Disaster Prevention, Town Development)

*Visiting sites are current candidates and may be subject to change.

Junior High and High School Students Expected to Participate

"I'm interested in entrepreneurship. I learned about student startups and want to try it myself."

"I've been researching SDGs and waste issues at school and want to learn more deeply."

"I haven't found what I want to do yet. I need a trigger."

"I want to talk about social issues with peers who have similar interests."

*A wide range of grades from 1st year of junior high to 3rd year of high school will participate. Entrepreneurship experience or business knowledge is not required.

*It's okay even if you have circumstances like mid-term participation. Please contact us first.

Recruitment Overview

Name

Ridilover Quest

Participation Style

(1) Summer Challenge (Approx. 1.5 months, Late July - August 2026)

(2) Approx. 8 Months of Support (Until end of February 2027)

*Applications are accepted in a lump sum, and you can choose either participation method (1) or (2).

Period

Mid-July 2026 - End of February 2027 (for full participation, approx. 8 months)

Target Audience

1st year junior high school students to 3rd year high school students residing in or attending school in Tokyo.

No entrepreneurship experience or business knowledge required.

Application Unit

Individual or team is acceptable (teams up to approx. 3 people per group).

Capacity

Total 20 groups (30-40 people).

The secretariat will decide based on the application content (selection if applications are numerous).

Participation Fee

Free

*Transportation and meal expenses for site tours are the responsibility of the participant (area: mainly within and around Tokyo).

*Meal expenses, accommodation fees, and accident insurance premiums for the summer camp (August 17-19, Hachioji) will be covered by the secretariat.

Application Deadline

July 26, 2026 (Sun) until 23:59

Application Method

1. The applicant must fill out the application form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuOcO_dTphSvPA0bniX_D7CxzoEG7wuBdPEKU1M1JNE9yfpw/viewform

2. The guardian must fill out the consent form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScY7Y_y80FRvEgX7G0d-28WD1xru81MaammZO6LBcTY5Prv1w/viewform?usp=header

Details

https://rocky-onion-841.notion.site/310dceda0e1c818d9df5f40ceddf7ee0

View Program Details and Apply

Application Deadline: July 26, 2026 (Sun)

About Ridilover Inc. (Ridilover)

With the mission "Breaking Through Social Indifference," Ridilover began its activities in 2009 and was incorporated in 2013. It handles over 400 types of social issues, with over 10,000 participants annually in its study tour program for junior high and high school students. It also provides cross-border learning and training to over 130 companies and conducts research and demonstration projects for government ministries and local authorities. The investigative journalism media "Ridilover Journal" has published over 1,000 articles.

<Company Profile>

Company Name: Ridilover Inc.

Established: 2013

Location: Iguchi Building 2F, 3-9-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Toshiki Abe, Representative Director

URL: https://ridilover.jp/

Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Ridilover Inc. | Ridilover Quest Department

E-mail: [email protected]

This program is implemented as a collaborative project selected for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "FY2025 Support Program for Startups by Diverse Entities."

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