Borders to Bridges: Solving Social Issues through Cross-Cultural Innovation
The Global College Startup Camp (GCSC) is an intensive, cross-border entrepreneurship program co-hosted by Hitotsubashi University School of Social Data Science (Japan) and Gachon University Cocone School (Korea).
For the 2026 edition, we are elevating the challenge by introducing a dual-track system focused on "Global" and "Local" social issues. Students will not merely compete; they will co-create. By forming mixed teams of Japanese and Korean students, participants will bridge linguistic and cultural divides to design sustainable business solutions that address the most pressing problems of our time.
Focuses on borderless, macro-scale challenges such as climate change, poverty alleviation, or pandemic resilience. The goal is scalability.
Focuses on deep-rooted, community-specific challenges such as aging populations, revitalizing rural economies, or urban isolation. The goal is depth and empathy.
February 8 (Sun) – February 11 (Wed / National Holiday), 2026
Four intensive days from collaborative retreat to high-stakes pitch stage
National Olympics Memorial Youth Center (NYC)
Yoyogi, Tokyo – Base for accommodation, team building, and 3-day hackathon/workshop sessions
Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB)
Yurakucho, Tokyo – Premier node for startups, pitch in front of investors and experts
Two distinguished leaders share how cross-border experiments and femtech ecosystems turn overlooked issues into innovation.
Co-founder & CEO, Kopernik
Mr. Nakamura will share insights on how "simple" experiments in developing regions can lead to scalable business models and impactful change. His keynote will set the tone for the camp, inspiring participants to think globally while acting locally.
* Photo publication pending approval
"Transforming Social Challenges into Global Solutions" (subject to change)
Representative Director, Femtech Community Japan / Venture Capitalist
Ms. Minagawa leads Femtech Community Japan and backs mission-driven founders as an investor. She will unpack how overlooked issues in women’s health become investable markets, what criteria VCs use when evaluating early teams, and how diverse perspectives can turn niche communities into scalable innovation.
* Photo publication pending approval
Title TBA — Femtech, overlooked markets, and social implementation (subject to change)
Each team consists of 4 members: 2 from Japanese universities + 2 from Korean universities
Participation is free. Focus on bringing your ideas to life without worrying about costs.
¥0
No cost to participate in the program
Accommodation, Meals, Materials & Mentorship
3 nights accommodation, all meals, workshop materials, and expert mentoring
Transportation to Tokyo
Round-trip travel to venue and local transportation during the program
Admission to GCSC 2026 is competitive. Applicants will be evaluated based on an essay submission. We are not just looking for high grades; we are looking for changemakers.
Does the applicant have a clear, well-articulated reason for wanting to solve a specific Global or Local issue? Is it based on personal experience or deep research?
Does the applicant view language barriers as a hurdle or an opportunity? We seek individuals ready to embrace diversity and navigate communication challenges.
What specific value does the applicant bring? (e.g., Data Science, Design, Engineering, Business Strategy, or Leadership)
The camp is a grueling 4-day sprint. We need participants who possess the mental toughness to pivot, iterate, and push through until the end.
The evaluation begins before the camp even starts. Essay submissions are reviewed for how clearly teams define the problem, the authenticity of their field insights, and how convincingly they connect their personal narratives to potential impact.
During the four-day sprint mentors record qualitative observations, and the final pitch panel scores each team using the five metrics above (Impact 30%, Feasibility 25%, Innovation 20%, Execution 15%, Cross-border Synergy 10%). Slides, prototypes, and evidence of user testing are all weighed in this scoring sheet.
The judging committee combines faculty, investors, and social innovators from both Japan and Korea to keep cultural balance and ensure that both visionary ideas and realistic implementation plans are recognized.
Awarded to the single highest-scoring team across both tracks
Top team in the Global Track
Top team in the Local Track
The team that best demonstrated intercultural collaboration
Professor, Faculty of Social Data Science, Hitotsubashi University
Director, Center for Data-Driven Society Research, Institute for Advanced Social Sciences
Specializing in computational materials science, science and technology policy analysis, and foresight research. He contributed to the formation of the "Society 5.0" concept and promotes data-driven policy making.
Dean, College of Entrepreneurship, Gachon University
Chairman, Google Korea Ecosystem Forum
CEO, Transverse Inc.
An interdisciplinary scholar who bridges science, philosophy, and entrepreneurship. Studied mechanical engineering at KAIST and earned his Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science from Seoul National University. Former professor at Seoul National University, specializing in evolutionary theory, cognitive science, and science communication. Recipient of the 11th Korea Science Culture Award (2010). A prolific author and thought leader in science culture, he now dedicates his expertise to fostering innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship education.
Applications now run through Google Forms. Submit your profile and essay to join 80 exceptional students from Japan and Korea.
Use the button below to open the official application form. You can pause and resume your submission directly within Google Forms.
Open Google FormApplications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will receive essay instructions via email.
