ON&BOARD Inc. held the startup retreat “Swish! Startup Camp 2025” (hereinafter referred to as “Swish!”) from Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Rising Field Karuizawa in Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture.

In this article (Part 2), we share highlights from Day 2 (October 19) of SWISH! Startup Camp 2025, which took place in Karuizawa, Nagano.
Building on the energy of the first day introduced in Part 1—and the deeper connections formed among participants during the evening Campfire Networking Session—Day 2 began with active learning sessions designed to fully engage both body and mind.

On Day 2, the program placed a stronger focus on individual career paths and the unique potential of Nagano as a field for entrepreneurship. Rather than simply listening to talks, participants spent time deeply reflecting on their own challenges and engaging in meaningful dialogue, treating each session as a personal and practical learning experience.

In this article (Part 2)

In this article (Part 2), we present highlights from Day 2 (October 19), covering a wide range of sessions—from active learning programs that fully engage both body and mind, to a special session led by financial institutions from Nagano Prefecture, and in-depth dialogue sessions that explore the careers and inner perspectives of business leaders.
Each segment is introduced alongside background information on the speakers.
▶︎ Read Part 1 here

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Table of Contents

• SWISH! Startup Camp Day 2: Morning Serenity and Active Learning

• Opening Message

• October 19 (Sun) Session ① (12:00–13:00)

• October 19 (Sun) Session ② (13:10–14:10)

• October 19 (Sun) Session ③ (14:20–15:20)

• Closing Session

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SWISH! Startup Camp Day 2: Morning Serenity and Active Learning

The morning of Day 2 began amidst Karuizawa’s crisp, refreshing air and dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. One of SWISH!’s defining features—active learning—got underway early at 8:30 a.m.

In the “Team Adventure” area, participants took part in hands-on team-building activities that cannot be experienced in traditional lecture-based conferences.

Participants, many of whom were meeting for the first time, formed teams and tackled a series of challenges (adventures) set up throughout the forest. By working together to cross unstable footing or communicating without words, they developed a sense of camaraderie distinct from the previous night’s interactions—one that resembled the bond of “comrades in arms.”

By fully engaging not only their minds but also their five senses, participants entered the day’s program with heightened focus and receptiveness, setting the stage for the afternoon dialogue sessions. Thus, the second day of SWISH! began with renewed energy and depth.

Opening Message

After completing the active learning session, participants—feeling a pleasant mix of physical fatigue and heightened energy—returned to their respective fields.
Before the Day 2 sessions began, the purpose of the retreat was once again clearly articulated.

“This is not merely about networking, but about generating concrete action and co-creation from here onward.”

With this message in mind, participants dispersed to their respective venues, ready to engage deeply in the sessions ahead.

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October 19 (Sun) Session ① (12:00–13:00)

The first session of Day 2, held alongside lunch, unfolded across two venues and explored two contrasting yet fundamentally important themes: the management philosophy of large corporations and the entrepreneurial mindset of serial entrepreneurs.

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[Sky Field A] Management Rooted in Life: Learning Startup Management from a Long-established Deep Tech Company

Speaker: Masashi Miyamoto (CEO, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. / Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Facilitator: Yuki Takeuchi (Tech Executive, ON&BOARD)

Masashi Miyamoto, CEO of Kyowa Kirin—a "Global Specialty Pharma" that derives 72% of its revenue from overseas markets—outlined the growth strategy driven by the company’s "Vision 2030" while discussing the core management philosophy that underpins it.

Kyowa Kirin has designated "Bone & Mineral," "Hematologic Malignancy/Refractory Hematologic Diseases," and "Rare Diseases" as its core focus areas. The company selects the most value-creative approach by combining innovative drug discovery technologies with external collaborations. Stating that "we are not aiming to become a mega-pharma," Miyamoto explained the importance of concentrating internal resources on fields where the company’s strengths are most effective. Simultaneously, assets outside these focus areas are positioned as "strategic partnering assets," aimed at maximizing value through alliances with external partners.

A key highlight of the discussion was the company's approach to R&D portfolio management. Miyamoto emphasized that decisions are made by carefully evaluating both scientific validity and business feasibility. These decisions are guided by a consistent and fair framework rooted in the firm conviction that "it serves no purpose unless it ultimately reaches the patients."

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October 19 (Sun) Session ② (13:10–14:10)

On the main stage in the afternoon, a special session brought together Nagano Prefecture, financial institutions, and startups, creating a unique forum that reflected the character of the host region.

[Sky Field Main Stage]

Nagano Prefecture & Financial Institutions Special Session

STARTUP × NAGANO: What We Can Do to Create a Unicorn Born in Nagano

Speakers:
Naoya Yamada, Deputy General Manager, Sales Department, Hachijuni Investment
Hideaki Iwano, Head, Growth Industry Support Office, MUFG Bank
Hidenori Tsuruoka, Deputy Head, Corporate Market Division & Head, Corporate Business Development Office, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking
Kenichi Saito, General Manager, Retail Business Division, Nagano Branch, Japan Finance Corporation
Tatsuya Ito, Assistant Manager, Management & Startup Support Division, Industrial and Labor Policy Department, Nagano Prefectural Government
Shunsuke Kakizaki, CEO, Salesbrain

Facilitator:
Naoto Kakegawa, Corporate Sales Division, Hachijuni Bank

During this session, panelists presented a shared vision for Nagano’s future as a “Startup Ecosystem Hub City.”
Tatsuya Ito from the Nagano Prefectural Government introduced a range of comprehensive support measures, including low-interest government-backed financing programs, the SS Fund, and reductions in corporate enterprise taxes.

Representatives from megabanks and trust banks expressed strong expectations for deep tech startups that combine Nagano’s rich regional assets—such as tourism, agriculture, and precision manufacturing—with advanced technology.

One of the most animated discussions centered on the social implementation of academic research seeds. While Shinshu University alone possesses more than 200 promising technology seeds, panelists highlighted the shortage of management talent capable of commercializing these innovations. In response, Hidenori Tsuruoka of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking proposed mechanisms such as search funds, which match prospective executive candidates with regional companies.

Shunsuke Kakizaki, CEO of Salesbrain, who founded his company in Karuizawa, shared firsthand experiences of achieving both business growth and a fulfilling lifestyle by leveraging remote work and local communities. His story demonstrated that Nagano—where inbound tourism demand is rapidly increasing—holds significant untapped business opportunities not found in Tokyo.

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October 19 (Sun) Session ③ (14:20–15:20)

[Sky Field Main Stage]

Nagano Prefecture & Financial Institutions Special Session

STARTUP × NAGANO: What We Can Do to Create a Unicorn Born in Nagano

Speakers:
Naoya Yamada, Deputy General Manager, Sales Department, Hachijuni Investment
Hideaki Iwano, Head, Growth Industry Support Office, MUFG Bank
Hidenori Tsuruoka, Deputy Head, Corporate Market Division & Head, Corporate Business Development Office, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking
Kenichi Saito, General Manager, Retail Business Division, Nagano Branch, Japan Finance Corporation
Tatsuya Ito, Assistant Manager, Management & Startup Support Division, Industrial and Labor Policy Department, Nagano Prefectural Government
Shunsuke Kakizaki, CEO, Salesbrain

Facilitator:
Naoto Kakegawa, Corporate Sales Division, Hachijuni Bank

During this session, panelists shared a collective vision for Nagano’s future as a “Startup Ecosystem Hub City.”
Tatsuya Ito of the Nagano Prefectural Government introduced a range of robust support measures, including low-interest government-backed financing programs, the SS Fund, and reductions in corporate enterprise taxes.

Representatives from megabanks and trust banks expressed strong expectations for deep tech startups that combine Nagano’s abundant regional strengths—such as tourism, agriculture, and precision manufacturing—with advanced technologies.

One of the most animated discussions focused on the social implementation of academic research seeds. While Shinshu University alone holds more than 200 promising technology seeds, panelists pointed out the shortage of management talent capable of turning these innovations into viable businesses. In response, Hidenori Tsuruoka of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking proposed mechanisms such as search funds, which match prospective executive candidates with regional companies.

Shunsuke Kakizaki, CEO of Salesbrain, who founded his company in Karuizawa, shared firsthand insights into achieving both business growth and a fulfilling lifestyle by leveraging remote work and strong local communities. His experience demonstrated that Nagano—where inbound tourism demand continues to rise—offers substantial untapped business opportunities not found in Tokyo.

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October 19 (Sun) Session ③ (14:20–15:20)

ON&BOARD Inc. will continue to connect the aspirations of those who dare to take on new challenges through initiatives such as this, and remain committed to contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem.
We look forward to welcoming you again at the next SWISH! Startup Camp.