​Oita Future Builders Program 🚀

​Got a great idea? Or just curious about startups?

​The Oita Future Builders Program is a free, 5-week online startup program designed for university students in Oita Prefecture who want to learn how real startups are built from the ground up.

​Whether you've never started a business before or you're already interested in entrepreneurship, this program will teach you the practical skills founders use to turn ideas into real opportunities.

​📅 Schedule
Every Wednesday | September 2 - October 7
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (JST)
Location: Zoom

​What You'll Do

​Over five weeks, you'll work with a small team to build a startup from idea to pitch.

​You'll learn how to:

• ​🤝 Form a startup team

• ​🔍 Discover real problems worth solving

• ​💬 Interview and validate ideas with potential customers

• ​💡 Build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) using Design Thinking

• ​📊 Research competitors and understand your market

• ​🎨 Create a compelling pitch deck

• ​🎤 Present your startup in front of a live audience and receive feedback

​By the end of the program, you won't just have an idea—you'll have a validated business concept and hands-on experience using startup methods practiced around the world.

​Program Schedule

​September 2nd – Introduction + Team Formation 🫱🏽‍🫲🏼

​‼️ NOTE- This session will be conducted in-person at Sparkle's office in Beppu (Address: 〒874-0926 Oita, Beppu, Kyomachi, 11−8 APU PLAZA OITA ２階)

​This is so that you can meet your fellow teammates and network together in real life. We'll be joining you virtually, but we'll have a staff member on-site to help with facilitating activities.

​From September 9th - October 7th, all remaining sessions will be conducted online via Zoom.

​September 9th – Finding & Validating Problems ✅

​September 16th – Building Your MVP 💡

​September 23rd – Holiday Break - No sessions 😎

​September 30th – Market Research + Pitch Deck Workshop 💻

​October 7th – Final Pitch & Feedback Session 🎤

​Commitment

​🚨 To participate in the Final Pitch, you MUST attend all five sessions.

​Because each workshop builds on the previous one and you'll be working closely with your teammates, we ask that you only register if you're able to commit to the full program.

​Language

​The program will be conducted primarily in English, with Japanese support available when needed.

​No advanced English or business experience is required—just curiosity, motivation, and a willingness to learn.

​Meet Your Mentors 🫡

​

​Lee Jean 🇺🇸

​Founder & CEO, Pulsar Innovations

​Lee has spent years building within Japan's startup ecosystem. He is the organizer of Pitch & Connect, a monthly startup pitch event where founders present their ideas, receive expert feedback, and connect with investors and fellow entrepreneurs.

​He has also participated in the Antler startup accelerator in both Japan and Vietnam, giving him firsthand experience taking startups from idea to execution. With a background in English education, Lee is passionate about making entrepreneurship approachable, practical, and fun.

​

​Maki Mizuno 🇯🇵

​Maki is a startup strategist with experience across marketing, branding, sales, product development, and community building. She has helped founders build partnerships, develop go-to-market strategies, and connect Japanese innovation with global opportunities.

​Her passion is helping entrepreneurs transform local ideas into businesses with worldwide potential while making startup building collaborative, creative, and accessible.

​This Program is Brought to You by:

SPARKLE ✨ - Oita International Student Business Center.

​SPARKLE supports international students enrolled in universities within Oita Prefecture by providing assistance with career development, entrepreneurship, and overall student success. We encourage you to use this program to develop the skills needed to transform your ideas and local challenges into viable businesses. Additionally, we are available for various consultations, so please feel free to reach out to us.

​②Contact: Sparkle info@oibc.jp