Our Vision
The purpose of Social Impact Lab Japan
Social Impact Lab Japan was created to be the hub for impact entrepreneurs in Japan. We incubate and accelerate the ideas of impact entrepreneurs who want to get inspired, design, launch and grow their social enterprises - which will undoubtedly improve the lives of many. Social Impact Lab Japan is not only a home for Japanese impact entrepreneurs to grow but also a place for international impact entrepreneurs to build their social enterprises. We greatly need more people to enter the impact space, and Social Impact Lab Japan will be the driver behind influencing a generation to pursue lives and careers of impact.
Young changemakers in Japan presented the business ideas at our office to influence a generation and transform society.
The story of Social Impact Lab Japan
A few years ago, whilst working at the Hult Prize Foundation, Priya Sultan came to Japan to support the growth of the Hult Prize movement. While interacting with students, it became clear that there was a certain level of discontent, which was difficult to understand. Students felt they had to pursue the traditional path: go to university, get an internship, join a top Japanese company, and work their way up the corporate ladder for the next 50 years. Many Japanese students wanted to pursue impact-driven career paths, but there were no obvious ways to identify those paths in Japan. It was a hopeless story to hear, and it was at that moment both Hiro and Priya decided that they needed to build the path and opportunities for students in Japan. This was the beginning of the idea for Social Impact Lab Japan.
Social Impact Lab Japan CEO, Priya Sultan had a panel discussion with members from Goole Japan, Recruit Holdings, and Japan Railways Group.
“Support and mentorship are key to Social Impact Lab Japan’s ethos and strategy. The incubation acceleration supports them. What happens with young entrepreneurs is they don’t say ‘I have all the skills inherently inside me.’ No, they must learn them. Not all of them understand marketing. Not all understand what it means to develop a product, how to take that product to market, to scale. So, they need certain skills. The incubation happens through these entrepreneurs attending these workshops and training sessions that will allow them to get the skills they don’t have or help them develop the network and support they need to move forward.”
— Priya Sultan - Founder/CEO of Social Impact Lab Japan