At OIST Innovation, we believe anyone can explore entrepreneurship. Whether you're a curious administrator, a researcher with an innovative idea, or a startup team looking to enter new markets, our entrepreneurship training programs offer structured, supportive opportunities to build your skills and confidence.
Innovator's Toolbox
Date: Ongoing from May to March | Location: OIST Main Campus
Designed to equip early-stage researchers with the knowledge and tools needed to explore startup pathways—while staying flexible enough to fit alongside ongoing research.
The program takes an exploratory approach: spinouts are one option, but participants will also learn about licensing and academic collaboration. Whether or not you plan to join the Lean Startup Training, the Innovator’s Toolbox is designed to benefit all inventors.
- Bi-monthly sessions alternating between group trainings and check-ins
- Exploratory approach covering multiple commercialization paths
- Light-touch deliverables to put concepts into practice without heavy workload
This training is open to all members of the OIST community.
Lean Startup Entrepreneurship Training
Date: Annually in the Fall
A 5-week workshop introducing the entrepreneurial mindset and Lean Startup methodology. Participants will join a 3-day workshop at OIST where they are put into teams and learn how to identify commercial opportunities that can emerge from academic research by working on a real technology development case. This is followed by 5 weeks of customer interviews, mentoring sessions, two online follow-up sessions.
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.
Who should attend:
- Curious members of the OIST community are all welcome
- Proof of Concept (POC), Technology Pioneer Fellowship (TPF), and other entrepreneurially minded teams
- Anyone considering applying for the Proof of Concept (POC) program
What you'll learn:
- How to turn an idea into a testable hypothesis
- How to interview customers to validate needs
- How to think like an entrepreneur—even if you don't plan to become one
US Market Discovery Program
Date: Annually in the winter
The US Market Discovery Program is an immersive international experience that helps entrepreneurial researchers explore the commercial potential of their technologies in the United States. Through a combination of virtual preparation and an intensive week in Washington, DC, participants engage directly with customers, partners, and mentors to test and refine their business strategies. Grounded in Lean Startup principles, the program emphasizes real-world learning to validate or reshape market entry approaches. Supported by OIST and PARKS, it is an ideal opportunity for innovators ready to take their research beyond the lab and onto the global stage.
What you'll gain:
- A deeper understanding of the U.S. startup and customer landscape
- Direct feedback from U.S.-based target customers
- One-on-one mentoring sessions
- Access to a network of experts and founders
- The tools to refine your value proposition and market entry strategy
Who should apply:
-
Proof of Concept (POC) phase 2 teams and Technology Pioneer Fellowship (TPF) teams
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?
Contact Venture Development vd@oist.jp (Attn: Caitlin Clouse)