Waffle Monthly Update – May 2025

This year marks Waffle’s 5th anniversary, and we were thrilled to celebrate this milestone with over 100 guests at our special event. It was a meaningful occasion to reflect on how far we’ve come and to share our hopes for the future.

In June, we’ll have more exciting opportunities to witness the growth and challenges of students across Japan, through the Technovation Girls Pitch Event, where middle and high school students will present apps they’ve developed over six months, and through the nationwide expansion of our new university program, Waffle College Kickoff.

In this edition, we’re delighted to bring you the latest updates from our programs along with inspiring stories from our participants. We hope you enjoy reading and would be grateful if you could share it with others who might be interested.

Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary

This May, Waffle marked its 5th anniversary, a moment of reflection and celebration. We welcomed over 100 guests to our anniversary event, including government officials, alumni, mentors, and supporters. It was a warm and inspiring gathering where meaningful connections blossomed.

Special guest Ryosei Akazawa, Minister for Economic Revitalization, shared a powerful message of support and emphasized the importance of gender inclusion in policy. Hearing firsthand from alumni who said, “I used to think IT was too hard, but now I can build my apps” reminded us why we do what we do.
Watch the Event Video

Upcoming: Technovation Girls Japan Pitch Event (June 21)

Out of 88 teams and 440 participants nationwide, 10 finalist teams and 1 Challenge Stage winner will present the apps they built to solve real-world issues. This year introduces an exciting AI course, along with additional opportunities to collaborate with fellow participants and corporate partners.

Date: Saturday, June 21, 14:00 JST
Watch live on YouTube: Details & Registration

Waffle College Kickoff Expands Nationwide

This new program supports university students interested in IT, particularly those from non-STEM backgrounds. At our May session in Fukui, participants were thrilled to build their websites and find new friends with shared interests.

“I never thought I could build a website in one day!”
“So glad to meet others who are into tech!”

Upcoming events: Tohoku Univ., Seisen Univ., Tsuda Univ., and online
More Details Here

Waffle in the Media

• Lenovo Global Feature: “Empowering Japan’s Next Generation: STEM Education for Girls”
  📖 Read the article
  
• Tsuda University Blog: Three students shared how they overcame fear, gained confidence, and built their first AI app
  📖 Read their stories

Legacy Giving Opportunities

We now offer consultations for those considering inheritance or bequest donations. Let your vision help build a better future for the next generation.

A Message from Our Team

“In five years, we’ve seen students go from saying ‘Programming is impossible for me’ to confidently creating apps that tackle real social issues. Their courage continues to inspire us, and we’ll keep believing in their potential every step of the way.”
—NPO Waffle, PR,  Kensaku Tsujita

Thank you again for your support. Let’s keep empowering the next generation!