PEP for Non-Profit Startup

About PEP for Non-Profit Startup

We call organizations that seek to rapidly expand 'social impact' rather than 'profit' in a short period of time Non-Profit Startups (NPS). Examples of such Non-Profit Startups include the following organizations:

• 80,000 Hours: A non-profit organization that provides job placement and career matching services with a focus on the social impact aspect of careers. Through web-based service delivery (technology utilization), they achieve expansion of social impact.
• B Lab's B Corp Certification System: A system where the U.S. non-profit organization "B Lab" conducts assessments and issues B Corp certifications to for-profit companies with high public interest. Alongside operating this system, they also engage in policy advocacy, and in the U.S., many states have enacted legislation for a new corporate structure called Benefit Corporations (for-profit companies that conduct both business operations and social purpose activities).

(For more details, please also refer to this article by PEP Director Umada.)

There are several ways to generate large social impact in a short period of time, but this program focuses particularly on the means of technology and policy, and provides lectures and workshops for individuals and organizations aiming to maximize social impact in these areas.

Currently, we are recruiting participants.
The application deadline is September 7th (Sunday) 23:59 (Japan Standard Time).

We will hold an information session on August 20th (Wed) from 19:00. Please join us if you are interested.

Register for the information session here: https://events.humanitix.com/pep-for-non-profit-startup-batch-2 

 

Accelerator Program Overview

In this accelerator program, we will teach participants about startup methodologies (such as problem identification and hypothesis testing) and methods for scaling social impact using technology and policy to achieve large social impact in a short period of time.

The program schedule and content are as follows:

This program will primarily utilize a flipped classroom format. All lectures will be conducted via Zoom. (※Content may be subject to change.)

In addition to the above program, we also plan to hold guest lectures by U.S. social entrepreneurs and policy entrepreneurs (online, participation optional). Details will be announced once finalized.

Event Overview

• Date & Time: Every Thursday from 18:30 to 20:00 (Schedule as per the table above)
• Format: Online (Planned to be held via Zoom)
• Participation Fee: Free
• Pre-session lectures and pre-assignments + Live sessions
  (※ Recordings of live sessions will not be provided. Please understand.)

Target Applicants

We primarily target the following types of individuals:

• Those who want to achieve large social impact in a short period in non-market areas using policy or software, but still lack knowledge about policy or software

However, the following types of applicants are not eligible for this program:

• Those working on issues that are easier to solve through the market
• Those who have not yet determined the social issues they want to address

Application Requirements

We welcome applications from those who meet the following conditions:

• Currently active as or intending to become active as a Non-Profit Startup aiming for large social impact in a short period in non-market areas
• Able to participate in 8 or more sessions out of all 10 online program sessions
  (※ If you miss sessions and fail to complete pre-assignments a total of 3 times, you will be dropped from the program. Since workshops among participants are also important activities, we want to maintain the quality of discussion among those who can participate. Please understand.)

During selection, we will consider the following factors:

• Since this program is workshop-centered, we will align participant levels to some extent
• Compatibility between the social issues you want to address and technology or policy

We welcome those currently active as NPO corporations or general incorporated associations, among others, who are engaged in concrete initiatives for creating social impact. For this batch, multiple people from the same organization may apply.

Application Deadline: September 7, 2025 (Sunday) 23:59 (Japan Standard Time)

 

Process After Application

September 7 (Sunday) 23:59 (Japan Standard Time) Application deadline

September 11 (Thursday) Document screening results notification. Individual interview scheduling depending on number of applications

September 18 (Thursday) Notification to selected participants

September 25 (Thursday) Program starts

 

Organizations Supporting PEP for Non-Profit Startup

This program is operated based on a grant from the United States-Japan Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States.

 

Introduction of Organizations from the 1st Batch

We introduce some of the organizations that participated in the 1st batch of this program, conducted from February to May 2025. (Implementation report here)

• Choiceful General Incorporated Association
• Nature Service NPO
• Anata no Ibasho NPO
• FastAid General Incorporated Association
• Media is Hope General Incorporated Association
• OVA NPO
• Fora General Incorporated Association
• ELAB General Incorporated Association
• Eureka Tokyo Co., Ltd.
• Student Organization S.A.L. Oikos Project
• Mobility for Humanity
  
• CrossHealth
  

Program Staff