Tohoku High School Innovation Pitch in English (THIP)
Your Idea, Your Future
“Your ideas can shape the future – take on the world in English!”
Information
Date
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 13:00 – 16:35 (JST)
Venue
TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity 3F, Lecture Theater, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University [Access]
Tohoku Forum for Creativity and the Startup Strategy Office of Tohoku University will host a Business Idea Contest in English for high school students.
This event offers a platform for young innovators to identify local or global challenges and propose business solutions – all presented in English.
By participating, students will:
■ Cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset
■ Enhance international business communication skills
■ Strengthen their ability to solve problems from a global perspective
This contest encourages students to express their ideas to society, collaborate with peers, and develop creativity. Presenting in English also helps participants gain practical communication and presentation skills that will benefit their future academic and professional endeavors.
Link : 日本語
Participating High Schools & Teams
Total: 12 Teams (34 Participants)
The following high schools and teams have been selected to participate (in order of appearance)
- Miyagi Prefectural Sendai Nika High School Pollux
- Akita Minami High School Global Leaders
- Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School iB's
- Miyagi Prefectural Miyagi First High School Heart to Heart
Miyagi Prefectural Sendai Nika High School YETI(Absent due to the flu)- Miyagi Prefectural Miyagi First High School Assignment
- Yotsuya Gakuin High School mellune
- Miyagi Prefectural Sendai Nika High School NOVA
- Miyagi Prefectural Sendai Mukaiyama High School Mukaiyama Biology Club
- Miyagi Prefectural Miyagi First High School mono_logue
- Tohoku International School intervator
Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School LIFT(Absent due to the flu)
Time Schedule
- 13:00 – 13:25
- Opening Ceremony
・Opening Remarks - Asako Sugimoto (Executive Vice President for Research, Tohoku University)
- ・Introduction of Judges and Guests
- 13:25 – 14:15
- Pitch & Q&A / Feedback Session (1)
- 14:15 – 14:30
- Break
- 14:30 – 15:20
- Pitch & Q&A / Feedback Session (2)
- 15:20 – 15:40
- Break / Judging
- 15:40 – 16:00
- Award Ceremony and Closing Remarks
・Presentation of Awards
・Closing Remarks: - Marie Pierre FAVRE (Chief Global Officer)
Hiroshi Ogino (Sustainability Global Head, Tokyo Electron Ltd.)
- 16:05 – 16:35
- Networking Session
Call for Teams (Application Closed)
We invite applications from high school students, including those from Colleges of Technology (Kosen), both national and private, in grades equivalent to high school years 1 through 3.
Participants may apply as a team or as individuals. Teams already formed through school classes or extracurricular activities are welcome, as are newly formed teams of friends.
Individual applicants will be supported by the organizers in forming teams.
If you are interested in business or eager to challenge yourself in English, we encourage you to take part!
How to Apply
Register via the following
– Closed
Application Deadline: Friday, December 19, 2025, 17:00
*Further details will be sent to applicants after registration.
Audience Welcome – Free and Open to All
High school students are taking on real–world challenges and sharing their visions for the future. Their presentations are open to the public–no registration needed, and admission is free. Drop by, listen in, and be inspired.
*Note (added on Dec. 24):
Initially, no advance registration was required. However, due to the higher–than–expected level of interest and to ensure safe and comfortable operations, we now kindly ask that you register in advance to attend. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Please register using the form below. We look forward to welcoming you.
Capacity: 40 people (First–come, first–served)
*Once the capacity is reached, you can still view and support the event via the large monitor in the 1F Lounge of TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity (Chi–no–Yakata).
Registration deadline: Monday, February 16, 5:00 PM
– Closed
Poster
- Download [PDF]
Hosted by
Tohoku Forum for Creativity, Tohoku University
Startup Strategy Office, Tohoku University
Co–hosted by
Miyagi University
Sponsored by
Tokyo Electron Limited.
Contact
Yoshiaki Maeda (Tohoku Forum for Creativity, Tohoku University)
Email: yoshimaeda★tohoku.ac.jp (change ★ to @)
Yuiko Fujita (Startup Strategy Office, Tohoku University)
Email: sangaku–startup★grp.tohoku.ac.jp (change ★ to @)