At UWC ISAK Japan, students don’t just learn about leadership—they practice it. Entrepreneurship, like leadership, is about taking action, embracing challenges, and turning ideas into reality. This year, a group of Grade 10 students is doing exactly that by reviving Entrepreneur Weekend, an event where participants experience the full cycle of building a startup in just one weekend.
But before bringing this initiative back to UWC ISAK, the team—Ryuto, Hiroto, Eco, Megumi, Ryuju, and Noriya—challenged themselves by competing in Startup Weekend Nagoya this past December. It was an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, test their ideas, and push themselves to their limits—all in pursuit of realizing their potential.
Taking Action at Startup Weekend Nagoya
Startup Weekend Nagoya brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry leaders for an intense 54-hour challenge to develop, validate, and pitch a business idea. Each participant had to apply essential skills—identifying problems, adapting to feedback, and collaborating across diverse perspectives—all of which align closely with UWC ISAK’s leadership program.
The competition was far from easy. Some students struggled to find motivation within their teams, while others had to navigate difficult feedback from experienced judges. But instead of giving up, they embraced discomfort, learned from setbacks, and pushed forward.
UWC ISAK Students Earn Top Recognition
Despite the challenges, UWC ISAK students thrived, earning recognition across every major category:
1st Place: Ryuto and Megumi’s team developed a platform connecting traditional artisans with general consumers, creating a system that helps artisans expand their market.
2nd Place: Noriya’s project focused on building a support system to help workers from Nepal secure jobs and settle in Japan.
3rd Place: Eco’s team proposed a school bus service to enable children in rural areas to attend after-school activities.
Other Finalists:
- Hiroto’s team developed an app that allows users to grow vegetables and plants online, aiming to raise environmental awareness.
- Ryuju’s team designed a career-tracking app that enables university students to visualize the skills they gain through part-time jobs.
However, their achievements went beyond just winning awards. They gained a valuable lesson: Entrepreneurship is not about having an idea—it’s about taking action.
“Thinking alone changes nothing. The most important step is to try,” the teams reflected. “Rather than regretting not trying, it’s far more valuable to take on challenges and learn from them.”
A Legacy of Student-Led Innovation
Entrepreneur Weekend is not a new concept at UWC ISAK—it is a multi-generational student-led initiative that has been passed down from one cohort to the next. Each new team builds on the foundation laid by past organizers, refining the event to make it even more impactful.
“The seniors before us faced challenges organizing this event, and they shared their experiences with us,” the team explained. “Their advice has helped us stay focused on efficiency, passion, and strong management.”
Now, with Entrepreneur Weekend set for March 7–9, this new generation of student organizers is committed to expanding its impact and making it even more relevant to the UWC ISAK community.
Why Entrepreneurial Thinking Matters at UWC ISAK
Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just about business—it’s a mindset that applies to leadership, problem-solving, and creating change. By developing the ability to identify challenges, take risks, and adapt in real-time, UWC ISAK students are preparing themselves to be catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond.
“We believe that UWC ISAK is the perfect environment for this event,” the team explains. “UWC ISAK students are driven, passionate, and eager to make an impact. We want to change UWC ISAK, and we want UWC ISAK students to change the world.”
Entrepreneur Weekend: How to Get Involved
Entrepreneur Weekend is open to anyone with a passion for innovation and problem-solving—whether you’re interested in business, social impact, or simply challenging yourself in a new way.
Date: March 7–9, 2025
Location: The Accord Center (TAC) at the UWC ISAK Japan Campus
Sign-Up: https://forms.gle/MNdZG6KARLkMhiBR9 (Form closes on February 28th）
Participants are encouraged to bring an idea for a product or service, but no prior experience is necessary. A deposit is collected to ensure commitment and active participation.
“It will be a tough but rewarding weekend,” says the team. “You will come out of it with a new outlook on yourself, your potential, and your ability to make an impact.”
If you are interested in stepping up, taking action, and being a catalyst for change, maybe we’ll see you on campus on March 7th!
