Turning Ideas into Impact: Students and Companies Team Up at DREAM JAPAN PROJECT 2025

The contest features three categories: Corporate Challenge, Free Entrepreneurship Planning, and AI Challenge Solution. More than one hundred entries were submitted from across Japan between July and September. At the award ceremony, thirteen finalist teams delivered three minute presentations either on stage or virtually.

The Seven-Eleven Japan Prize was awarded to Takasugi, a high school student, in the Corporate Challenge category.
For this category, Seven-Eleven Japan asked participants to design new services and products that would create a convenience store experience the Z and Alpha generations would want to visit every day. Takasugi's concept transforms daily shopping into a fun gaming experience through an interactive app called "AdvenCon."

Second place was awarded to a personalized smoothie service that uses an app to tailor preferences. Third place went to an exclusive experiential service designed for loyal customers. Each proposal demonstrated strong awareness of current trends and impressed the judges.

Sugiura, General Manager of the New Business Development Department at Seven-Eleven Japan, praised the students for their creativity and expressed interest in exploring ways to apply some proposals to real-world business initiatives.

"The ideas of accomplishment and excitement offer fresh perspectives that are rarely heard, even in our internal discussions. They reminded us of the importance of delivering experiential value," he said while reviewing the participants' concepts.

Takasugi joined the ceremony remotely from overseas while on a school trip. Smiling brightly on screen, he said that participating in the contest had been an exciting experience. "I'm honored to have met both industry professionals and fellow student challengers," he added, expressing his gratitude.

"In a world where technology is advancing at lightning speed, don't let your ideas stay as ideas. Turn them into reality and make a real impact on society," said Chief Judge Yuta Shimono, Co-Founder & CEO of Emuni. He delivered a powerful message to young innovators, and setting high expectations for students to lead the way.

"Every presentation reflected a strong commitment to making society better." Susumu Namikawa, Head of Dentsu Social Design Engine and organizer of the project, concluded by expressing his hope that the program will continue to grow as a platform where students and companies collaborate to shape the future.

The project provides students with practical experience that can be applied to university admissions, career development, and entrepreneurship, regardless of academic or financial background.
For companies, it is an opportunity to encounter the creativity and problem solving skills of the younger generation.

Sugiura noted that the passion of the student participants was truly inspiring.
"Students reminded us that our mission is not only to deliver great products, but also to create experiences and excitement,” he added. “This contest gave us a valuable opportunity to think about the future together with young talent. We want to bring their creativity and passion into our everyday business."

DREAM JAPAN PROJECT 2025 demonstrated the great potential for students and companies to envision a better society together. Seven-Eleven Japan will continue to create new value through collaboration with students and the next generation of innovators.