Startup support by both the public and private sectors is spreading throughout Tochigi Prefecture. In September, the local government hosted two events with the aim of fostering the development of new companies in the region.

On September 12th, the entrepreneur exchange event Tochigi Startup Night was held at Light Cube in Utsunomiya City. Around 200 people took part, with entrepreneurs presenting their ideas through a pitch event, discussion panels, and networking. Unique speakers such as local high school students and temple priests attracted significant attention!

Startup Weekend was held in Oyama City from September 20th to 22nd, where participants experienced starting up a business and presented their business ideas on the final day.

Furthermore, entrepreneurs from the prefecture are promoting support activities in a growing movement to get younger people in the region interested in entrepreneurship. Tochigi Startups, which is based in Utsunomiya City, has also expressed its intention to expand support throughout the prefecture.

Up to now, the prefecture's focus on traditional industries has made it difficult to foster entrepreneurs, but the prefecture is seeking to change that. Governor Tomiichi Fukuda has praised the attitude of young people in the prefecture to take on new challenges, and has announced the prefecture's policy of actively supporting startups in the future.

‍