Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2025- Alumni Grand Prix

20 November 2025

2025年11月4日

Colorful geometric polyhedrons float in a starry black space banner beside Youth Co:Lab.

Event Details

日付

2025年11月20日

時間

18:00～20:30

場所

Online

Japanese

The demo day of the Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2025- Alumni Grand Prix will be held on 20 November 2025.

Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship.

In Japan, the Social Innovation Challenge has been held annually since 2019 to support young social entrepreneurs. Now in its seventh year, Youth Co:Lab presents a special edition—the Alumni Grand Prix—exclusively for past awardees.

On Demo Day, seven winning teams selected through a rigorous screening process, will pitch their refined business ideas to a live audience. An Audience Award, determined by viewer votes, will also be presented.
Join us online and discover the powerful ideas shaping a better future!

Date and Time: 18:00 – 20:30 Thursday 20 November 2025
Programme：

18:00 - Opening
- Opening remarks: Ms. Tomoko Takazawa I Head of Communications, Citigroup Japan
- Congratulate remarks: Mr. Hitoshi Aoyagi I Member of the House of Representatives

18:15 – Presentation of the winning business projects
- The awardees will present their winning business solutions.
- Each presentation will be followed by Q&A with the expert panel.

19:45
- Special guest remarks by Mr Keita Takahashi I Director, Global Issues Cooperation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Audience Poll
- Q&A session with pitch participants and guests

20:00 - Award ceremony

20:25 - Closing remarks: Hideko HadzialicI Director, UNDP Representation Office in Tokyo

Fees：Free
Language: English (Simultaneous interpretation available) and Japanese

Co-organized by: Youth Co:Lab (UNDP Citi Foundation), the University of Tokyo, CVC Foundation, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.

Supported by: UNHCR Japan Office

Under auspiece of: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Registration: Please register from Here

Participating Teams (Award Winners):

a group of people standing in front of a laptop

Mio Tsunoda/Darajapan
AI x IT Human Resource Development and Employment Support for Emerging Countries IMANI Hacking

Youth and women specific human resource development and employment support project in emerging countries through the acquisition of IT and soft skills "IMANI Hacking Bootcamp" provides a program design and practical development environment from the culture and living environment of each country, and supports poverty alleviation through reskilling and employment opportunities.

Ryosuke Himeno/WAKU Inc
Achieving Food Security through the Plant Stress-Response Molecule “Glutathione”

Developing a biostimulant that utilizes the plant stress-response molecule “glutathione” to enable stable crop production under climate change. Aiming to achieve food security while reducing environmental impact and dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Reiji Kobayashi, Hakki Group
Redefining Credit for a New Era

Through the development of a unique credit scoring system, we provide microfinance for used commercial vehicles to people who previously had no access to finance.

Group of five people standing against a blue-yellow backdrop with logos above.

Riko Yasuda/YOMY, inc
Next-generation EdTech: ‘YOMY!’ s online school empowering children to express themselves through picture books and dialogue

An online school that provides "Dialogic Reading," an interactive picture book time originating from the United States to children aged 3-8. A next-generation EdTech service that develops children's imaginations through picture books and provides support for busy parents in raising their children.

Carlos Oba・ Rie Tonomura/Dots for Inc.
Digital hub for digitally divided rural communities in Africa

Providing digital services tailored to the challenges of rural residents through decentralized digital hubs that bridge the digital divide in African villages.

Shunta Igarashi/With The World
Connecting Global Classrooms to Build a Peaceful, Inclusive World Free from War

Active learning classes discuss social problems while connecting schools around the world online. Having more than 500 partner schools in 67 countries, we create an environment where children all around the world can learn together.

Smartphone with a map app beside a telemedicine scene of two people at a desk with a large monitor.

Mariko McTier/Social Innovation Japan, mymizu
Refill for the Future: Building a Better World, One Action at a Time

Japan’s first free water refill platform, mymizu is a co-created movement transforming everyday hydration into collective impact. Used by over half a million people, it empowers citizens, companies, and governments to reduce plastic waste, prevent heatstroke, and strengthen community resilience through technology and community.

Thanks to the generous support and collaboration of the University of Tokyo, CVC Foundation/CVC Capital Partners, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Yachiyo Engineering, and the UNHCR Representation in Japan, the Youth Co:Lab Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2025 – Alumni Grand Prix was able to establish the following awards this year.

Grand Prix Awards:

Grand Prize
Excellence Award
Challenge Award

Special Partner Awards:

CVC Award
UNHCR Award
AWS Women Social Entrepreneur Award
Yachiyo Future Impact Award

Audience Award: Determined by votes from Demo Day participants!

Award names will be announced after the pitch on the Demo Day. Please stay tuned!

Expert Panel

Mizuki Isogai

Investment Director, CVC Asia Pacific Japan (CVC):

Mizuki has been engaged in investment activities and business support for portfolio companies at CVC, one of the world's largest private equity investment firms. Her prior experience includes cross-border investment and post-merger integration (PMI) in infrastructure such as overseas power plants and water treatment plants.
Mizuki holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and an LLB from Hitotsubashi University.

Fumiko Kashiwa

Representative, UNHCR Japan

Fumiko Kashiwa joined UNHCR in 2001 and currently serves as Representative in Japan since August 2025.
Prior to her appointment to Japan, she held various positions within UNHCR field operations in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Iraq, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Iran, then most recently in Pakistan as Deputy Representative, as well as at the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at UNHCR Headquarters. It was a Junior Professional Officer program sponsored by the government of Japan how she started her UN career in Czech Republic, after working in the private sector in Japan.

She has years of experience in humanitarian response, emergency relief, and operational management, with a strong focus on refugee and displacement situations. Born in Tokyo and holds a Master’s Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, USA

Hiroaki Aoki

ESG/Sustainability Champion, Investment Banking Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc.

Hiroaki Aoki joined Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc. in November 2021. He is responsible for ESG advisory services in Japan.
Prior to joining Citi, he worked at Vigeo Eiris (Moody’s ESG Solutions). Hiroaki served as Head of the Japanese Market for Vigeo Eiris and supported asset owners, institutional investors, and financial institutions in developing their ESG and climate change-related research and data implementation proposals as well as supporting ESG dialogues. He also provided second-party opinion (SPO) services to issuers of ESG bonds such as green/social/sustainability bonds, and was involved in all the SPO transactions that Vigeo Eiris provided in Japan.

Hiroaki holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in commerce from Hitotsubashi University. He is a CFA Charterholder and also a Certified Member Analyst of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan.

Lui Yoshida

Ph.D, Associate Professor,Graduate School of Engineering The University of Tokyo

Specializes in educational technology, generative AI, active learning, online learning, and faculty development. After serving as a Project Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo's College of Arts and Sciences and a Project Lecturer at the University of Tokyo's Center for Integrated Education and Research, assumed current position in 2020.
Translations and publications include Handbook of Learning Assessment: 50 Techniques to Promote Active Learning (co-translated) and The Book for Teachers to Become the Teacher They Want to Be (co-authored). Since fiscal year 2023, served as a School Strategic DX Advisor for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), delivering lectures and training sessions for various boards of education. In fiscal year 2024, served as a member of the “Study Group on the Utilization of Generative AI in Elementary and Secondary Education” and contributed to the revision of the “Guidelines for the Utilization of Generative AI in Elementary and Secondary Education (Ver 2.0)”.

Portrait of a man in a blue blazer and striped shirt outdoors with greenery.

Yusuke Tsuji

Managing Partner, UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. / Part-time teacher, The University of Tokyo

Joined J.P. Morgan as a new graduate, and after serving as Executive Vice President of ICMG Group, he joined UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. as Managing Partner.
Guided by the principle of “Purposeful & Impactful Innovation – creating innovations that hold genuine significance for the world,” he has extensive experience leading initiatives such as corporate innovation management reform, co-creation between large corporations and startups, and the design of grand strategies and platforms for initiatives aimed at achieving social impact. He has also led numerous CEO-level strategic projects for major corporations.
He launched a business in Singapore to jointly plan and execute hands-on co-creation initiatives between Japanese enterprises and global startups, and spearheaded a strategic partnership and joint initiative with UNDP GCTISD in the SDGs domain, which received official approval from the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Currently, he is engaged in multi-sector and cross-sector activities with the goal of making Japan a global leader in impact innovation. Born in Aichi Prefecture.

Affiliations:
Vice Chair, Asia Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives)
Co-Founder & Executive Adviser, JSIP
Adviser / Fellow, ICMG Group
Director, Aichi Future Fest Association
Director, Japan Fundraising Association
Special Adviser, International Cooperation NGO PLAS
Part-time Lecturer, The University of Tokyo (Innovation for Well-being – Creating a World Beyond GDP)
Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University; completed Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

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Kiyoshi Hasegawa

Executive Vice President, Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.

After joining Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd., engaged in dam construction projects. Later joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., where involved in the design and fabrication of large-scale river management facilities, including the Nagara River Estuary Barrage. Returned to Yachiyo Engineering in 2000 and has since led the formulation of the company’s long-term management strategy, focusing on new business development with a vision toward the next thousand years. Currently leading organizational restructuring and human resource system reforms to drive corporate transformation, sustainable growth, and the creation of positive social impact.

Adult male in a dark suit and patterned tie, standing against a light wall.

Koichi Fujinami

Senior Manager, Public Policy, Amazon Web Services Japan (AWS)

Koichi Fujinami is Senior Manager of Public Policy at AWS, where he leads policy engagement on data governance, privacy and data protection, and cybersecurity, as well as sector-specific regulations in telecommunications, media, healthcare, life sciences, and finance. He works with government officials, industry associations, and experts to advance policy recommendations and institutional initiatives that promote innovation.

Before joining AWS, he served in the Government of Japan, where he was engaged in policy planning and institutional development in the information and communications sector, including telecommunications, broadcasting, privacy and data protection, and cybersecurity. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law.

Man in dark suit and tie at a warmly lit indoor event.

Savinda Ranathunga

Regional Youth Project Manager, Governance and Peace Building Team, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub

Savinda is the project manager for regional youth project of UNDP Asia-Pacific – Youth Co:Lab, which empower youth to create SDG solutions through social innovation and entrepreneurship. He was born in Sri Lanka and now reside in Bangkok, Thailand. Savinda is a Civil Engineering graduate from Moratuwa University Sri Lanka, he also possesses charted qualifications in Management and Marketing and a Diploma in Buddhism.
He worked as an Environmental Engineer at Brandix ltd. And as a lecturer at Achievers and Wizma Business Schools. He has engaged in the development sector over the last 12 years through his engagement with AIESEC, ADB, UNICEF, UNEP, UNV, UNESCAP and UNDP.
Savinda also initiated five start-ups on diverse fields and his passion is to support start up ecosystem in Asia Pacific Region. Currently he is pursuing his PhD at Chulalongkorn University related to Youth Empowerment.