Lean Startup Entrepreneurial Training

Lean Startup Entrepreneurship Training

September 12 (Sat)-13 (Sun), 2026 | C209 and C210 (OIST Center Building)

October | 2 online meetings | mid-point check-in and final presentation

Discover the Lean Startup Methodology

Innovation begins in the lab. But taking the first step outside the lab requires the right mindset, methods, and mentors. This program is your launchpad.

Learn how to identify commercial opportunities that can emerge from academic research by working on a real technology development case. In this program, participants will use, as case studies, technologies developed at OIST and will apply skills learned in the course to identify potential customers of the technology.

Led by experienced instructors from the U.S. National Science Foundation I-Corps™ network—one of the most respected startup training programs in the world—this three-day workshop equips participants with the tools to test, validate, and refine their ideas using real-world feedback.

Who Should Join:

• OIST researchers, students, technicians and administrators exploring innovation
• OIST Proof of Concept (POC), Technology Pioneer Fellows (TPF), and COI-NEXT funded projects
• Anyone considering applying for Proof of Concept funding programs
• Aspiring entrepreneurs
• PARKS* PJ学生, Step 1, Step 2-1, and Step 2-2 gap funded projects    
  * Platform for All Regions of Kyushu and Okinawa Startup Ecosystem

Teams

We have 13 exciting teams participating in this year’s Lean Startup Program. Several team leads are looking for supporters to work alongside them during the six-week training, particularly with customer discovery and exploring the potential for their technology.

Projects currently looking for supporters are in bold.

Health, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

• REBLOOM – Stem Cell Engineering (OIST)
• BeeFlora – Probiotics for Honeybee Health (OIST)
• Artificial Feed for Cephalopods (OIST)
• iGEM Okinawa – Computational Platform for Acid-Stable Proteins (OIST)

Healthcare & Assistive Technologies

• Surgical Robot (OIST)
• NextStep Flow – Assistive Walker for Parkinson’s Disease (KIT)

Advanced Materials, Sensors & Environmental Technologies

• Development of Transparent Perovskite Solar Cells (OIST)
• Mechanically Activated Fluorescent Materials (OIST)
• PFAS Filtration System (OIST)
• Soft AI Tactile Sensor (KIT)

Quantum & Electronics

• Kawaii QuBit – Quantum Education Tool (OIST)
• Ultra-Low-Noise Spin-Based Microwave Amplifier (OIST)

Space Technology

• PULSE – Small-Satellite Attitude and Orbit Control (KIT)

Register HERE to join a team!

Program

This course consists of one weekend workshop, online mentoring sessions (minimum of 2), and 20 customer discovery interviews. The first 2 sessions are in-person.

• Pre-Course Deliverables Session | C210 | September 3 | 13:30-15:30
• First mentoring session | online | scheduled between Sept. 4-11
• Weekend Workshop:
  • Saturday, September 12th 09:00-17:30 in-person C209/C210
  • Sunday, September 13th 09:00-17:30 in-person C209/C210
• Second mentoring session | online | scheduled between Sept. 14 - Oct 1
• Mid-Point Check-In (mandatory group session) | online | Thursday, October 8th 08:00-10:00am
• Final Presentation (mandatory group session) | online | Thursday October 22nd 08:00-10:00am

This training is supported by OIST's Innovator's Toolbox sessions. If you are planning to join this training please also join:

1. Innovator's Toolbox: Introduction to Lean Startup | August 13, 2026 | 13:30-15:30 | C209

2. Innovator's Toolbox: Lean Startup Pre-Course Deliverables | September 3, 2026 | 13:30-15:30 | C210

Register HERE to join a team.

Certificate

Awarded to participants who complete the required number of interviews (20).

Questions?

Contact OIST Innovation's Entrepreneurship Education Coordinator, Caitlin Clouse caitlin.clouse@oist.jp