Representative Shota Higuchi participated in the event co-hosted by NTT DOCOMO Ventures and Tsukuba Startup Park.

Event Name: Starting a Business after Transferring from a Technical College to Tsukuba University - A Talk by Current Student Entrepreneurs

Event Overview: Under the theme 'From Technical College to Tsukuba University and into Startups,' this event focuses on student entrepreneurs in tech startups who leverage their technical skills. Four outstanding startup students from Tsukuba University, who are alumni of technical colleges and excel in technology and execution, will share their journey to entrepreneurship and their current endeavors. Additionally, there will be a talk session with Mr. Akimitsu Takase (Startup Promotion Officer, Tsukuba City), where they will discuss challenges and advantages unique to student entrepreneurs and share experiences related to technical colleges and startups. This event is open not only to university students but also to those interested in hearing the candid experiences of young startups.

Date and Time: September 8, 2020 (Tuesday) 18:30 - 20:30 Participation Fee: Free Venue: Online (Zoom webinar)Target Audience:

• University and technical college students who are considering starting a business
• Individuals interested in leveraging their technical skills in their work
• Companies and VCs interested in collaborating with tech-savvy university students Capacity: 50 participants (first-come, first-served)

Speakers:

• Ryota Shimozono (Co-Founder, Aruga Inc.) Graduated from Okinawa National College of Technology. Currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering at Tsukuba University. Developed an interest in IT service development during technical college and self-taught app development. After transferring to Tsukuba University, became a director at Star Prince, an app development company, and was involved in app planning, operations, and new title launches. Afterward, took a one-year leave from graduate school to develop and co-found a company that manages 'ShareTore,' a practice menu sharing site for soccer coaches. In 2020, developed 'Aruga ONE,' a management tool for player development, and established Aruga Inc.
• Shota Higuchi (CEO, Closer) Graduated from Nagaoka National College of Technology. Currently enrolled in the Intelligent Systems Program at Tsukuba University Graduate School. Began robot development in elementary school and won the RoboCup World Championship and Asia-Pacific Championship in 2017. A third-generation Masayoshi Son Scholarship Foundation student. Received the Chairman's Special Award from the Technical College Association twice. Founded Closer in February 2020. At Closer, he is developing ultra-low-cost robotic arms and related services to accelerate the social implementation of automation.
• Shunosuke Kataoka (CEO, Endorphinix LLC) Graduated from Tokuyama National College of Technology, currently affiliated with the Graduate School of Library, Information, and Media Studies at Tsukuba University. Incorporated the student group 'Endorphinix' he founded during technical college into a company in 2020. Provides solutions utilizing computers and digital content, plans and manages events, and trains and develops system engineers, focusing on companies and organizations in his hometown of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Also active in the art world, holding solo exhibitions as a photographer. Strives to solve local issues through commissioned system development and website production in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• Kazuki Ootouge (CEO, Telorain Inc.) Graduated from Tokuyama National College of Technology. Currently affiliated with the Graduate School of Library, Information, and Media Studies at Tsukuba University. Worked on image processing technology for retinal projection displays and retinal imaging cameras at Pixie Dust Technologies. After enrolling in Tsukuba University Graduate School, founded Telorain Inc. in 2020 and released 'telorain.com,' a service that automatically generates high-quality subtitles. Recognized as a Super Creator through the 2019 Unconventional Business Program by the Information-technology Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Moderator:

• Akimitsu Takase (Startup Promotion Officer, Tsukuba City) Graduated from Kurume National College of Technology. Started a business while studying at the Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering at Tsukuba University. After founding and managing several startups, he became the Startup Promotion Officer at the newly established 'Startup Promotion Office' in Tsukuba City. He is currently working hard to build the Tsukuba startup ecosystem.

For Inquiries About the Seminar: Tsukuba Startup Park Management Office 305-0031 1F Tsukuba City Industrial Promotion Center, 2-5-1 Azuma, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture https://tsukuba-stapa.jp/ Email: event@tsukuba-stapa.jp