Okayama University and STRIPE INTERNATIONAL INC. have started to offer the SiEED program from the beginning of April in this academic year, which was designed to provide its students with opportunities to learn entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. The program also aimed to establish in Okayama a new learning forum and venue for nurturing human resources required to develop initiatives to shape the future. Before starting the SiEED program, the SiEED Conference 2019 was held on April 6, 2019 at the Okayama University 50th Anniversary Hall. The conference aimed to unveil the vision and concept of the SiEED program by exploring a new Zeitgeist (spirit of the times) through a free discussion with the audience involving global innovators whom play an active role in various fields.

In his opening speech, Okayama University President MAKINO Hirofumi emphasized the importance of developing people who could make the world a better place, based on his abundant experiences in education, research, and social contribution fields.

The conference comprised of three parts: First, Mr. Phil Libin, the ex-CEO of Evernote Corporation and a CEO and co-founder at All Turtles Corporation, gave a lecture on the theme “The current situation of start-ups in Silicon Valley.” Second, Ms. FUKUHARA Shiho, a Bio artist, and Ms. KUSAMOTO Tomoko, Representative Director of Hakuba International School Foundation, had a discussion on the theme “New Challenge to Widen the Span of Our Thinking.” Lastly, Mr. ISHIKAWA Yasuharu, President, CEO and Representative Director of STRIPE INTERNATIONAL INC., who is an alumnus of Okayama University, talked on the theme “What is the SiEED Program?” providing the background that led to the creation of the program. While introducing his activities as an entrepreneur, he expressed his aspiration for the new program. At the closing, Mr. YAMASAHITA Tetsuya , the program director, explained about the lectures to be offered in the SiEED program, calling for the participation of many people with various concepts of values.