11 Universities Across Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam Take Their Entrepreneurial Vision to the Global Stage
More than 100 aspiring student entrepreneurs from eleven universities across the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam region stepped beyond the classroom and into one of Japan’s leading innovation ecosystems through the 2026 Supra-Regional Global Startup Nomad Program. Jointly organized by the ANCHOR (Alliance for New Challenges and Opportunities in Regional Innovation) project teams—including Dong-Eui University and Pusan National University—the four-day program was held from July 7 to July 10 in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Bringing together approximately 100 university students with a strong interest in artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, along with five professional startup consultants, the program was designed to expose participants to global industrial trends while helping them refine practical business ideas through hands-on learning.
From Startup Hubs to Advanced Manufacturing
During the first two days, participants visited Fukuoka Growth Next, one of Japan’s best-known startup support hubs, where they explored how startups are nurtured through collaboration, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships. The group then travelled to Kitakyushu to attend the 2026 West Japan Manufacturing Innovation Fair, experiencing first-hand the latest developments in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Through direct interaction with industry professionals, students carried out ‘Trend Watching’ activities to better understand the ongoing digital transformation of global industries.
Turning Ideas into Business Models
Insights gathered during the site visits were immediately applied to project development. Expert-led lectures on the startup lifecycle helped participants evaluate the commercial potential of their ideas while strengthening their understanding of entrepreneurship. On the third day, five startup consultants worked closely with each team, providing tailored mentoring and practical feedback. Using market research and industrial data collected throughout the program, students refined their business models, strengthened their presentations, and continued collaborative discussions late into the night.
Final Presentations and Awards
The program concluded with final project presentations before a panel of five startup accelerators (ACs). Each team presented an enhanced business model developed over the four-day program, followed by detailed feedback from the judges. While outstanding teams were recognized with awards, the experience itself proved equally valuable, giving every participant greater confidence, practical insight, and a deeper
understanding of global entrepreneurship.
Supporting the Next Generation of Global Entrepreneurs
To allow students to focus entirely on learning and collaboration, the ANCHOR Project provided full financial support, including round-trip airfare, accommodation, and meals. Beyond the awards ceremony, the program reflected ANCHOR’s broader mission: creating opportunities for young innovators to gain international experience, transform ideas into viable projects, and prepare for the global stage. Rather than ending with concepts on paper, participants returned home having tested ideas, received expert mentoring, and experienced innovation where it happens. Through programs like this, the ANCHOR Project continues to serve as a bridge connecting ambitious students with broader global opportunities. The next global challenge could begin with you.