Nestled in the idyllic town of Godai-san, amidst the rolling hills of Tokushima Prefecture, lies a beacon of innovation – Godai-san Marugoto Technical College. This unique 5-year private institution, inaugurated in 2023, stands apart as the only school in Japan explicitly dedicated to cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs. Its mission is to empower students with a robust foundation in technology, design, and the essential tenets of entrepreneurship, preparing them to become forces for positive change in the world.
The genesis of this ambitious project lies in the visionary leadership of Terada Chikahiro, the CEO of Sansan, a Tokyo-based IT venture known for its innovative cloud-based business card management system. Terada’s journey to Godai-san began over a decade ago, fueled by his fascination with fostering innovation in Japan. Drawing parallels to the thriving ecosystem of Silicon Valley, he sought to replicate that spirit of ingenuity in a remote Japanese town. This vision found its catalyst in a chance encounter with Shin’ya Onan, founder of the NPO Green Valley, a champion of sustainable development in Godai-san. Their shared passion for fostering entrepreneurship ignited the spark that led to the establishment of Sansan’s satellite office in Godai-san in 2010.
Kaiyu Murayama, Godai-san Marugoto Technical College’s creative director, explains the profound connection between Godai-san and Silicon Valley: “Terada recognized the striking similarities between the two locations. He observed that in Silicon Valley, artists attract engineers, and engineers, in turn, draw entrepreneurs. Godai-san, too, has its vibrant community of artists, embodied in the ‘Godai-san Artist in Residence’ program. The town also boasts high-speed fiber optic internet connectivity. Discussions between Terada and Onan ultimately led to the realization that the missing piece in Godai-san’s entrepreneurial puzzle was a dedicated institution of higher learning that could empower aspiring young entrepreneurs.”
While Godai-san possesses elementary, middle, and high schools, and Tokushima University is conveniently located a mere hour away, the need for a specialized institution focusing on entrepreneurship became evident. Thus, the concept of Godai-san Marugoto Technical College was born.
The college’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent extends beyond its innovative curriculum. The school’s fully residential environment fosters a sense of community and collaboration among its approximately 80 students (with an equal male-to-female ratio). The hallways, fragrant with the scent of locally sourced Godai-san cedar used in the construction of the building, exude a spirit of innovation and dedication. A key feature of Godai-san Marugoto Technical College is its tuition-free model, a testament to Terada’s unwavering belief in providing equal opportunities for all. “We want to create a school where any child, regardless of their family’s financial background, can pursue their dreams and make a difference in the world,” he asserts.
To achieve this ambitious goal, Terada embarked on a multi-year journey, engaging in countless presentations to potential investors and donors. His relentless efforts have borne fruit, with notable companies like Sony Group, Ricoh, and Fujitsu contributing approximately 10 billion yen in investments and donations. These funds are carefully managed to generate an annual income of around 500 million yen, ensuring the sustainability of the tuition-free model.
Although the college is still in its nascent stages, the entrepreneurial spirit is already taking root. Students are actively engaging in real-world projects, such as securing funding for international robot competitions through presentations to local businesses.
Located a mere hour’s drive from Tokushima Awa Odori Airport, Godai-san, with its population of just under 5,000, is poised to become a thriving hub of innovation, much like its counterpart in Silicon Valley. The future is bright for Godai-san Marugoto Technical College, which is poised to become a global leader in nurturing the next generation of visionary entrepreneurs.