Venture Life Challenge
Venture Life Challenge is a program that will be implemented domestically and internationally and will take a different approach!
Kyushu University students are required to participate in both domestic and international programs, while students from other universities may participate in domestic programs only.
→ For this academic year only, due to vacancies among students from other universities, we are accepting additional applications for participants in domestic programs only (up to 5 students).
Domestic Program Overview
A PBL-type program in which students of different nationalities, universities, and majors form mixed, multinational teams to solve fundamental management problems presented by companies that maintain a strong spirit of innovation.
Overview of Overseas Dispatch Program
This is a team-based program called “Start-up Challenge,” held immediately after enrollment in the “Chalmers School of Entrepreneurship” master’s program at Chalmers University of Technology—a program highly regarded for its education in technology entrepreneurship. Teams compete to see how much they can grow their initial capital of 200 SEK (approximately 3,200 yen) over the course of eight days. Participants learn the importance of taking action and learning from that action.
- Only Kyushu University students can participate in this program.
Domestic Programs
- For this academic year only, due to vacancies left by students from other universities, we are accepting additional applications from participants interested in the domestic program only. (Maximum of 5 participants)
[Information Session] (Kyushu University Students Only)
- Tuesday, April 14, 4:40–5:20 p.m. (as part of the QREC Guidance)
- Wednesday, April 15, 12:10–12:50 p.m. (In-person or online)
Location: BasE, 2nd Floor, Center Building 6, Ito Campus (above the Ito Clinic)
Schedule
Monday, August 17, 2026 – Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Whole Program
■Monday, August 17, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Kickoff
Location: TBD (Tenjin/Hakata area)
■Saturday, August 22: Excursion Program
Guided Tour of the Area Around Kyushu University’s Ito Campus
■Saturday, August 29, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM: Final Presentation
Location: TBD (Tenjin/Hakata area)
- Team program
■August 18 (Tue) – 21 (Fri) and August 24 (Mon) – 28 (Fri), 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fieldwork at Companies
Venue: Designated by the host company (Tenjin/Hakata area)
- As a rule, student teams work face-to-face, but communication with companies may take place online.
■Sunday, August 23: Team Activities
Subject of application
Japanese and international students
Kyushu University, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Ritsumeikan University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
- EDGE-NEXT IDEA Consortium participating schools (lead institutions, collaborating institutions, cooperating institutions)
Swedish university students
Chalmers University of Technology
Number of applicants
About 30 people in total
*If there are many applications, a lottery will be held.
Team organization
The team is expected to be diverse in terms of nationality, university affiliation, and major.
Depending on the number of participants, teams will be formed with approximately 3 to 4 members each.
Language used
In principle, communication between students will be in English.
Other communications
- Expenses related to participation in the program (transportation, lodging, meals, etc.) are to be borne by the participants.
- There is no salary for this internship.
- [Kyushu University Students] Participation in both domestic and international programs is mandatory.
- [Kyushu University Students] You can earn credits for this program as part of the “QREC Internship” (2 credits).
How to apply
Application Deadline: Thursday, May 7, 2026, by 5:00 PM
[Kyushu University Students] Due to vacancies left by students from other universities, we are accepting additional applications for participants in the domestic program only. (Number of openings: 5)
Application deadline: Sunday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m.
Please download the application form below, fill it out, and submit it via the application form.
*This is an application form for other university students.
Please apply after the selection process at your university.
*Kyushu University students are eligible to participate in both domestic and international programs.
Please review the details of the “Overseas Dispatch Program” below and apply using the [Application Form for Kyushu University Students].
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact
Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center of Kyushu University (QREC)
TEL: 092-802-6061
E-mail: staff★qrec.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Please change ★ to @ when you send us an e-mail.
Hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:00 *Except Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, etc.
If you are in a hurry, please call us.
Overseas Dispatch Program
Schedule
Thursday, September 3, 2026 – Thursday, September 10, 2026
■Thursday, September 3
9:00 AM–12:00 PM Vasa B Lecture (Instructor: Dr. Thomas Carlson)
1:00 PM–5:00 PM Team work
■Friday, September 4
10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Team work, etc.
■Saturday, September 5–Sunday, September 6
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Team activities (fieldwork, etc.)
■Monday, September 7
9:00 AM–12:00 PM Vasa B. Lecture (Entrepreneurial Finance)
1:00 PM–5:00 PM Team work
■Tuesday, September 8
9:00 AM–12:00 PM Vasa B. Lecture (Entrepreneurial Ecosystem)
1:00 PM–5:00 PM Team work
■Wednesday, September 9
9:00–12:00 Vasa B. Lecture (Portfolio Overview)
1:00 PM–5:00 PM Team work
■Thursday, September 10
9:00 AM–12:00 PM Final Presentation
1:15–2:00 PM Awards Ceremony and Review
Location
Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology
Subject of application
Japanese and international students enrolled in regular courses at Kyushu University
Number of applicants
Approx. 10 persons
*If there are many applications, a lottery will be held.
Language used
In principle, communication between students will be in English.
Other communications
- You are responsible for your own travel, lodging, food, and transportation to and from the destination. (Flights and accommodations are also to be arranged by the student.)
- Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a subsidy ranging from 80,000 to 220,000 yen, but you are responsible for any other costs.
For details, please contact QREC Academic Affairs (staff★qrec.kyushu-u.ac.jp).
Please change ★ to @ when you send us an e-mail.
- Kyushu University students are required to participate in both domestic and international programs.
- As this is a year-long course, it is limited to students who will remain enrolled until March 2027.
- Students who are on leave of absence (or plan to take a leave of absence) during the 2026 academic year are not eligible to participate.
How to apply
Application Deadline: Thursday, May 7, 2026, by 5:00 PM
[Kyushu University Students] Additional openings available until Wednesday, May 13
*Please download the two documents listed below, fill in the required information, and submit them via the application form.
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact
Robert T. Huang Entrepreneurship Center of Kyushu University (QREC)
TEL：092-802-6061
E-mail：staff★qrec.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Please change ★ to @ when you send us an e-mail.
Hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:00 *Except Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, etc.
If you are in a hurry, please call us.
Past
Click here to view past Venture Life Challenge materials.