Abstract
In this case study research, an impact for cultivation of entrepreneurship and establishment of startups by entrepreneurship education is considered. The target is Tsukuba area where cutting-edge research institutions are concentrated, such as University of Tsukuba that has one of highest numbers of university-launched startups as well as National research centers. We hypothesized that the three-step education program would help participants to manifest their entrepreneurial intentions/activities by: 1) mindset fostering to raise awareness of social issues, 2) entrepreneurial skill development to build up a business model for commercialization, and 3) providing start-up support by accompanying them in brushing up their business plans through interviews with customers. We established the program by relating university courses organically with entrepreneur development projects of the Ministry of Education. As a result, the rate of starting a business reached 20-30%, and the individual mentoring system with access to the real market, which is conducted in 3), was verified to have a strong impact on entrepreneurial intentions, including interviews with the individuals who started their own businesses.
