Kizuna Challenge

Welcome to the Global Well-being Competition:

The Awaji Kizuna Challenge

The Awaji Kizuna Challenge is an innovative initiative designed to bring together international students and dynamic Japanese start-ups to collaboratively address well-being challenges. Set against the inspiring backdrop of Awaji Island, Japan, this program fosters creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving.

Participants will engage in a journey working hand-in-hand with start-ups to develop impactful solutions, gain valuable insights into Japanese business culture, and build lasting connections. Join us in this exciting adventure to make the world a happier, healthier place!

What is the Global Well-being Competition

The Awaji Kizuna Challenge

O B J E C T I V E S

Fostered by the Awaji Youth Federation, we want to bridge the gap between visionary entrepreneurs and top talent from world-renowned universities, sparking global change through multicultural collaboration.

During the competition, participants will be able to:

1. Gain fruitful business connections 

2. Meet like-minded colleagues

3. Try their ideas in actions train teamwork soft skills

4. Implement their expertise in their project learn about well-being concepts and practices

The top-performing teams will get the opportunity to present their innovation on Awaji island.

Thank you for those who participated!

The first generation of the Awaji Kizuna Challenge brought together 23 university students from 10 different countries for a transformative 6-week program. 

These students formed teams and worked closely with Japanese start-ups and dedicated mentors to devise innovative solutions that contribute to societal well-being. 

Throughout the program, participants developed their proposals and engaged in weekly sessions, gaining insights into well-being, Awaji, Japanese business culture, and entrepreneurship in Japan. 

At the culmination of the 6-week journey, all teams presented their final proposals to Kizuna members, participating start-ups, and a panel of esteemed judges. 

Participating Start-ups

We were able to partner with six incredible start-ups from all over Japan to work alongside us in the Awaji Kizuna Challenge!

  • Cure Tex – focused in sustainable textiles
“Thank you very much for this opportunity to participate. The opinions of students from various cultures from overseas were very new and very stimulating. I also realized the importance of communicating with various people. It was a very good experience, thank you very much.”
 
“We participated in the Awaji Kizuna Challenge at a time when we were transitioning from a period of brushing up our business model to the creation of a prototype. The top team in the final pitch was given a special prize, and this helped us to have a heated discussion. As a result, we are planning to develop services that were not in our original plan. The diverse opinions coming from various backgrounds inspired us to “let’s make a good service!”. 
    • Dohaku – focused in marketing, branding and communication services

“Through the Awaji Kizuna Challenge, despite differences in age, nationality, and culture, I am deeply grateful and moved by the students’ dedication to analyzing our company, seriously considering what challenges we could tackle, and putting together and presenting their proposals. Whether the ideas they came up with were right or wrong is not as important as the fact that they conveyed their free and creative thoughts effectively. The act of “free thinking” and “communicating without hesitation” tends to drift away as we pursue efficient business practices. We will cherish the “inspiration” gained from this project and use it to further grow Dohaku. I believe the Awaji Kizuna Challenge is a place where one can gain significant “inspiration.” Thank you very much.”

  • Upmind – focused on mental well-being
  • Peel Labs – focused in plant based leather production 

The Awaji Kizuna Team

The Awaji Kizuna Challenge, an initiative fostered by the Awaji Youth Federation, was established to help Japanese start-ups gain a broader international perspective and develop solutions for their specific challenges. Additionally, the program aims to provide university students with valuable skills and hands-on experience by working closely with Japanese businesses.

From Left to Right 

  • Mika Yoshida – Japan Business Liaison 
  • Carla Alonso – Start-up Partnerships Coordinator and Japanese-English Communications Specialist
  • Adel Alouani – Co-founder, Innovation Coordinator 
  • Leon Csango – Co-founder, Co-Leader and Start-up Partnership Manager
  • Marina Stepanova – Academic Affairs and Students Engagement Coordinator
  • Kiyomi Kaneko – Co-founder, Co-Leader and Lead Project Manager
  • Aksaule Konysbek – Academic Affairs Coordinator
  • Kevin Romana – Events and Logistics Manager (not pictured)

The Results:
The Awaji Kizuna Challenge

The first generation of winners of the Awaji Kizuna Challenge joined the Kizuna team for a one-week program on Awaji Island, focused on learning about innovation, Japanese culture, and well-being.

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