PROGRIT President and IBP Alumnus Shogo Okada Delivers Keynote Address

SEKAIA Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yasuo Sone; hereinafter "SEKAIA"), a company dedicated to creating life-changing experiences, held SEKAIA Summer Mixer 2026 on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Glade Park Shibuya.
The event brought together more than 200 international students and interns from the United States and countries around the world, along with 20 Japanese startup companies, creating a dynamic networking opportunity that connected global talent with Japanese businesses.

■ Creating Connections Beyond Internships

Each year, university students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries around the world participate in SEKAIA's inbound education program, Internship in Japan (IIJ), where they develop practical global skills through internships and professional training with Japanese companies.
While many companies in Japan welcome talented young people from overseas, opportunities for international students and Japanese business professionals to interact openly beyond the workplace remain limited.
To help bridge this gap, the Summer Mixer was organized around the theme "Building Connections Beyond Internships," creating a space for meaningful relationships to develop beyond the internship experience.

■ PROGRIT President Shogo Okada Shares the International Experience That Inspired His Entrepreneurial Journey

The event began with an introduction to SEKAIA's programs, followed by a keynote session featuring Shogo Okada, President and Representative Director of PROGRIT Inc., a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market.
Shogo is an alumnus of IBP (International Business Professionals), SEKAIA's international business study program. As a student, he participated in the program and gained internship experience overseas.
His cross-border experience became one of the starting points of his entrepreneurial journey. He later co-founded PROGRIT with fellow IBP alumnus Shuntaro Yamasaki and led the company to its public listing.
During the keynote, Shogo spoke about why he chose to become an entrepreneur in Japan and how the challenges, setbacks, and relationships he experienced as a student helped shape his future.
The approximately 200 international students in attendance listened with great interest and engagement. Questions continued even after the session concluded, filling the venue with energy and enthusiasm.

■ Connecting Past and Present to Strengthen a Global Community

The Summer Mixer is a unique SEKAIA community event that brings together students, host companies, and alumni before participants begin their internships.
By welcoming successful alumni such as Shogo back to share their knowledge and experiences as role models, current participants are given a valuable opportunity to gain a tangible understanding of how international experiences can influence long-term career development.

■ Students × Companies × Startups: Creating Connections Across Three Communities

The keynote was followed by a startup pitch session featuring four startup companies that also serve as host companies for SEKAIA's Internship in Japan Program. Each company introduced its business, vision, and activities.
During the networking dinner that followed, connections extended beyond interactions among international students preparing to begin internships across Japan.
The event also created opportunities for companies to connect with one another and for international students to engage directly with Japanese business professionals, resulting in a diverse range of new relationships across the community.

■ Comment from SEKAIA's Communication Partner Department

Anushree Luchooa
Communication Partner, SEKAIA Inc.

■ SEKAIA's Commitment to Supporting Global Talent

Through inbound initiatives such as Internship in Japan, SEKAIA has served as a bridge between young people from around the world and Japanese companies.
SEKAIA's IBP Program, which enables participants to study at universities and undertake internships in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Malaysia, has a history spanning more than 35 years and a network of over 6,200 alumni. The program develops the next generation of global leaders through transformative cross-border experiences, as demonstrated by alumni such as Shogo Okada.
Looking ahead, SEKAIA aims to go beyond one-time events and build a sustainable ecosystem of global talent, organically connecting international students, Japanese companies, and alumni.

■ Event Overview

・Event: SEKAIA Summer Mixer 2026
・Theme: Building Connections Beyond Internships
・Date and Time: Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 6:30 p.m.
・Venue: Glade Park Shibuya, 2-29-5 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
・Participants: More than 200 international students and interns from the United States and countries around the world; 20 Japanese startup companies
・Organizer: SEKAIA Inc.

■ About the Keynote Speaker

Shogo Okada
President and Representative Director, PROGRIT Inc.
As a university student, Shogo participated in IBP, SEKAIA's international business study program, where he studied abroad and gained overseas internship experience.
After graduating, he joined McKinsey & Company before entering the English education industry, where he introduced a coaching-based model and helped create a new market. He later co-founded PROGRIT with fellow IBP alumnus Shuntaro Yamasaki and led the company to a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market.

Media Contact

SEKAIA Inc. – Public Relations
Tel: +81-3-6434-1315
Email: info@iccworld.co.jp
Website: SEKAIA Corporate Website