Prossell Holdings Holds Career Lecture by Alumni Entrepreneurs at Suzuka Kosen ― Contributing to Career Education and Connecting Students with Diverse Role Models ―

Prossell Holdings Inc. (Headquarters: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture; Representative Director & CEO: Kazuki Yokoyama), a company developing career partnership businesses for Kosen (National Institute of Technology) students, announced on January 27 that it held a career lecture for second-year students at the National Institute of Technology, Suzuka College (Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture).

A common challenge for Kosen colleges located in regional areas is that students often have limited opportunities to interact with diverse role models, such as entrepreneurs and business professionals. This lecture was organized to address this issue and help cultivate the students' career perspectives by having Kosen alumni entrepreneurs share their own experiences.

■ Sharing the "Reality" Behind Success Stories

Taking the stage on the day of the event were Mr. Yokoyama, the company's Representative and a graduate of Nagaoka Kosen, and Mr. Akimitsu Takase, Representative Director/CEO of Socialups Inc. and a graduate of Kurume Kosen.

Mr. Yokoyama explained his journey from Nagaoka Kosen to the advanced course, his study abroad experience in Finland, and the path leading to his startup launch. He spoke candidly not only about his successes but also about the "real" side of his journey—including failures during his student days and how he overcame them to build his current career—offering encouragement to the participating students.

■ Realizing the Vision: "Making Kosen People Happy"

Prossell Holdings operates under the vision "Make Kosen people happy, and those around them," providing career support and entrepreneurship education specifically tailored for Kosen students.

The company states that it will continue to accelerate the growth of the entire Kosen ecosystem through career education for students, delivering new value to society.

■ ICT Startup League
This is a support program launched in FY2023, initiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Project for Supporting Budding Research and Development for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D / Hands-on Support
Up to 20 million JPY in R&D funding is provided in the form of a grant. Additionally, regarding hands-on support, the evaluation committee members involved in the selection of league members continue to stay involved after selection to promote growth. A support system akin to "fandom" is established, where evaluators who "absolutely want to adopt" a specific company provide continuous support, such as advice on business plans and offering growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Development
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to encourage business growth for league members.
It also aims to discover those aspiring to start businesses and expand the base of the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Designed as a venue for positive competition similar to a sports league, startups learn together and improve themselves while competing to win necessary funding (up to 20 million JPY). It also offers a place for co-creation where league members collaborate to expand businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions with evaluation committee members.
4. Dissemination
The initiatives of league members are broadcast in collaboration with the media! By raising awareness of these businesses among a wider audience, the program aims to expand opportunities for new matching and business chances.

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Prossell Holdings Holds Career Lecture by Alumni Entrepreneurs at Suzuka Kosen ― Contributing to Career Education and Connecting Students with Diverse Role Models ―

■ Sharing the "Reality" Behind Success Stories

■ Realizing the Vision: "Making Kosen People Happy"

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