iiba Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Nana Aizawa), the developer and operator of the parenting map app "iiba," announced on February 19 that it will collaborate with Toshima City, Tokyo, to host "Toshima Kids Work Experience," an event where children can experience a diverse range of local professions.
The event will run from Sunday, March 22, to Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Reservations are being accepted via a lottery system through the "iiba" app, which opened on February 16.
This event aims to create opportunities for children to learn the joy of working and the importance of teamwork through hands-on experiences. The program targets children aged 3 to 12, and participation is generally free of charge (some programs may require a fee).
A total of 10 facilities, ranging from Ikebukuro landmarks to community-based shops, are participating. The diverse lineup includes programs such as "Preparing food and feeding animals with keepers" at Sunshine Aquarium, "Receptionist experience" at Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, and "Musician career experience" at Toshima City Hall.
Toshima City, home to major hubs like Ikebukuro Station, is an area with high demand for family-oriented child-rearing support. iiba planned this event to move beyond digital information provision and implement real-world "experiences" with the entire city as a field.
Moving forward, the company intends to continue collaborating with corporations, facilities, and local governments to establish a new model of child-rearing support where the entire community nurtures the growth of its children.
■ ICT Startup League
Launched in FY2023 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), this support program originated from the "Project for Supporting Seed-stage R&D for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Mentorship
Up to 20 million JPY in R&D funding is provided in the form of grants. Additionally, the Selection Committee members who evaluate the startups provide ongoing "hands-on" mentorship to accelerate growth. For companies that committee members are particularly passionate about, they provide direct support—akin to "fandom-style" encouragement—offering business advice and growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Nurturing
Providing opportunities for learning and networking to promote the business growth of league members. The program also aims to discover aspiring entrepreneurs to expand the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Operating like a sports league, the program fosters a positive competitive environment where startups learn together and strive to win the funding they truly need (up to 20 million JPY). It also provides a space for "co-creation," where league members can collaborate and expand their businesses through sessions with committee members.
4. Promotion
The league promotes the initiatives of its members in collaboration with the media. By increasing public awareness of these businesses, the program aims to broaden opportunities for new matching and partnerships.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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iiba Inc. (Official Site)
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iiba Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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Original Press Release (Japanese)
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iiba Signs Cooperation Agreement with Komaki City, Aichi to Develop Digital Childcare Map
For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.
