At OIST Innovation, we believe anyone can explore entrepreneurship. Whether you're a curious researcher, a student with an idea, or a startup team looking to enter new markets, our entrepreneurship training programs offer structured, supportive opportunities to build your skills and confidence.
We work with instructors from the George Washington University Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to deliver practical, hands-on training tailored to science and technology innovators.
We work with the Graduate School to offer an introductory course on entrepreneurship for students, researchers, and faculty members of OIST in the Fall.
Program Pathway
We now offer a two-part program structure to match your entrepreneurial journey:
Step 1: Lean Startup (Fall)
Date: October 24-26, 2025 | Location: OIST Main Campus
A 3-day workshop at OIST introducing the entrepreneurial mindset and Lean Startup methodology. Participants will conduct customer interviews and participate in two online follow-up sessions.
Who should attend:
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Curious members of the OIST community are all welcome
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Proof of Concept (POC), Technology Pioneer Fellowship (TPF), and other entrepreneurially minded teams
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Anyone considering applying for the Proof of Concept (POC) program
What you'll learn:
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How to turn an idea into a testable hypothesis
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How to interview customers to validate needs
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How to think like an entrepreneur—even if you don't plan to become one
Step 2: US Market Discovery Program (Winter)
Date: February 2-6, 2025 | Location: Washington, DC USA
A one-week in-person program in Washington D.C., guided by the same team of instructors with one-on-one mentoring from their network of experts.
Who should attend:
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Proof of Concept (POC) phase 2 teams and Technology Pioneer Fellowship (TPF) teams
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PARKS teams (Step 2-1 and Step 2-2)
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Startups exploring U.S. market entry
What you'll gain:
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A deeper understanding of the U.S. startup and customer landscape
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Direct feedback from U.S.-based stakeholders
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The tools to refine your value proposition and market entry strategy
Special Workshop: U.S. Market Training for Incubator Startups
Date: July 2025 | Location: OIST Main Campus
Tailored for OIST Incubator tenants and Accelerator teams, this 2-day workshop is designed to help slightly more advanced teams understand key differences between the Japanese and U.S. startup ecosystems.
Key goals:
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Understand market entry basics
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Craft and deliver a compelling elevator pitch
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Prepare for potential U.S. engagement and follow-on programs
Early-stage teams are also welcome!
What Participants Are Saying
What were your expectations for the program?
My expectations were to learn more about the lean startup process in entrepreneurship. Most of my experience is in academia and I didn’t know what entrepreneurship involved, what questions are asked, what people focus on, etc. So I came into the program very open to new experiences, but overall hoped that I would be able to test go in an test some ideas that I have to see if the entrepreneurship route might be right for me.
What did you learn most from the program?
I learned from the lean startup program that entrepreneurship is hypothesis driven very much like science. It was unexpected to be honest. I learned to work through some of uncertainties I had and simply tackle the questions that I had head on. The method of testing hypotheses I had were different in how I tackle scientific questions, but once I got through the process it was surprisingly enjoyable. I also learned that the members of your team are incredibly important, and I was lucky enough to have a good team that I could bounce ideas off of. Having people who are just as driven and focused on the same questions that you want to answer was critical in making the program a positive experience.
How would you recommend the program to other researchers and students?
I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to learn more about startups/entrepreneurship and willing to see how research questions are developed and solved from an entrepreneurship point of view. I found it an enjoyable experience mainly because I learned and sharpened skills that I don’t always use in the lab. Skills such as time management, networking, and communication were all necessary in the program. I think communication to different types of people (e.g., occupation, field, industry/academia) was one of the biggest skills that I worked on during the program.
What were your expectations for the program?
Before joining the program, I anticipated gaining a comprehensive understanding of the Lean methodology and how it applies to startups. Specifically, I hoped to learn practical strategies for validating business ideas, identifying customer needs, and efficiently allocating resources. Additionally, I expected to engage in hands-on exercises and receive personalized guidance from experienced mentors to refine my startup concept and execution strategy.
What did you learn most from the program?
The program exceeded my expectations in several ways, but the most valuable takeaway for me was understanding the importance of understanding the specific needs, pain points, and preferences of our ideal customers. By systematically conducting interviews, surveys, and market research, I honed my ability to pinpoint the precise demographic or niche that would derive the most value from our product or service.
How would you recommend the program to other researchers and students?
I wholeheartedly recommend this program to fellow students who are interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. The hands-on approach, combined with expert guidance and mentorship, offers a unique opportunity to transform theoretical knowledge into real-world results. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur looking to launch your first startup or a student interested in working for a startup company, this program equips you with the tools, resources, and support network necessary to succeed in today's competitive landscape.
Questions?
For more details, email us at innovation@oist.jp or visit our Innovation Center.