First-year graduate student at the Okayama University Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences KUBO Shunki was awarded the Special Judges Award at the combined “46th Keizaikai Grand Prix” and “Golden Egg Project 2021” (sponsored by Keizaikai Co., Ltd.), which honors outstanding businesspeople and supports next generation entrepreneurs, respectively.

The Golden Egg Project has been held in combination with the Keizaikai Grand Prix, which has been held since 1975. The aim of the project is to commend next generation start-up businesses. Professor KAGAMI Shigeo from Tokyo University School of Engineering served as chairman of the judging committee, which included RINNO Hiroshi (CEO of Credit Saison), IDEI Nobuyuki (CEO of Quantum Leaps Corporation), IZUMO Mitsuru (CEO of Euglena), MIZUNO Yusuke (CEO of Life is Tech) and YAMAMOTO Toshiyuki (SEVEN Founder).

Only ten applicants out of the original sixty-four made it through the first two rounds of screening before attending the final selection round on November 10. One applicant was selected as the grand prize winner, while four other applicants received Special Judges Awards.

Mr. Kubo is the founder and CEO of job-hunting platform ABABA, which promotes a new recruitment model by facilitating communication between jobseekers and hirers. He had the opportunity to present ABABA at the final selection round. When announcing ABABA as a recipient of the Special Judges Award, the chairman of the judging panel noted that, “The idea to recommend fresh graduates who fall out at the final stage of the hiring process to other companies is extremely innovative and we appreciate the applicant’s ability to incorporate a student’s perspective into the business proposal”. On January 14, Mr. Kubo attended the official awards ceremony held at Imperial Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, where former prime minister ABE Shinzo was awarded the 46th Keizaikai Grand Prix grand prize.

In January of last year, Mr. Kubo was awarded the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the 17th Campus Venture Grand Prix National Tournament（Sponsored by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, supported by the Japan Cabinet Office etc.）. We expect a bright future for Mr. Kubo and his company, which we hope will continue to grow as it tackles social issues.