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公式X
Business is Ultimately 'Luck,' but Efforts to Improve the Odds Are Essential — 8th Startup League Academy Digest Report —
On December 17, 2025, the 8th "Startup League Academy" was held.
For this event, we invited Mr. Toshikazu Koike, Chairman of the Board of Brother Industries, Ltd.—a company boasting over 100 years of history—as a special guest for a session themed "Transformation and Challenge." Additionally, in the Value Up Session, SonicAI Inc. took the stage to pitch their AI service for the manufacturing industry and receive mentoring.
■ Special Session: "Transformation and Challenge of a 100-Year Company: Brother Industries, Ltd."
Chairman Koike of Brother Industries took the podium for the Special Session. He spoke about the management philosophy and history of the company, which has continued to grow through diversified business expansion—evolving from a "sewing machine shop" to a leader in "printing" and "online karaoke."
Mr. Koike stated, "For a company to continue prospering for 100 or 200 years, it is difficult to do so by sticking to just one thing." He introduced the history of their bold business portfolio transformation, moving from their founding sewing machine business to typewriters, printers, online karaoke (JOYSOUND), and machine tools. He explained the current reality where industrial sewing machines, once the core of their sales, now account for only about 4%, while the printing and machine tool businesses have become the pillars of revenue. He emphasized the importance of constantly anticipating the times, noting, "Companies that cannot adapt to change will be eliminated."
Reflecting on his own experiences, he asserted, "Business is ultimately 'luck,' and nothing is perfect." However, he added, "To attract luck, you must continue making efforts to raise your probability of success." He stressed the importance of challenging oneself without fear of failure, sharing that he tackled numerous new businesses with the mindset that "if I try 100 times, succeeding in 3 is enough."
■ Value Up Session by SonicAI Inc.
In the Value Up Session, Mr. Tanaka, Representative Director of SonicAI Inc., took the stage. He gave a presentation on an "AI image processing system that automates visual inspection in the manufacturing industry."
Mr. Tanaka pointed out three major issues in manufacturing sites: "labor shortages," "quality challenges," and "traceability." He explained that traditional automation equipment is often too expensive and difficult to introduce, especially in high-mix low-volume production environments. His company's solution is easy to install—simply plugging it into an outlet—and features the ability to complete inspection settings in as little as a few seconds by learning only from data of "good" products.
In response, Chairman Koike made a sharp point: "Inspection via image recognition itself is not new." He remarked, "The real battle is how much you use the AI, collect data, and make it smarter." He explained the importance of providing customers with added value such as "traceability" and "peace of mind" by accumulating and utilizing inspection data, rather than just performing pass/fail judgments. Finally, he sent a warm message of encouragement: "Failure is not a matter of life and death. Be bold, cherish your connections with people, and keep challenging yourself."
■ Detailed Report and the Event's Energy on SNS!
Further details of the heated sessions will be shared in a detailed report to be published at a later date.
Latest information will be announced on our official X (formerly Twitter), so please follow us and wait for updates.
Official X Account:https://x.com/startupleaguejp
Also, please search the hashtag to feel the real excitement of the day!
Recommended Hashtag:#StartupLeagueAcademy
■ ICT Startup League
This is a support program launched in FY2023, triggered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Startup Creation-type Germination Research and Development Support Project."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
Up to 20 million JPY in R&D funding is provided in the form of a grant. Furthermore, regarding hands-on support, the selection committee members who were involved in selecting the league members will stay close to them after selection to promote growth. For companies that committee members "absolutely wanted to select," a support system resembling "fandom" (Oshikatsu) is built, where the evaluators themselves provide continuous support, such as advice on business plans and offering growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Incubation
We provide opportunities for learning and networking to encourage the business growth of league members.
We also expand the base by discovering people who aim to start businesses in the future.
3. Competition & Co-creation
It is a venue for positive competition, much like a sports league, where startups learn together and improve themselves while competing to win the necessary funding (up to 20 million JPY). We also offer a place for co-creation where league members can collaborate to expand their businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions with selection committee members.
4. Dissemination
We will broadcast the initiatives of league members in cooperation with the media! By letting many people know about these businesses, we aim to expand new matching opportunities and chances.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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SonicAI Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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SonicAI Inc. (Official Site)
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Brother Industries, Ltd. (Official Site)
Other League Reports
For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.