It only takes a spark to ignite your creativity.
Spark is an 8–week, hands–on program where participants learn how to turn problems into tangible ideas that they can share.
Spark begins with an in-person event at Moon’s Tokyo Studio, then we’ll meet online each week for community events, office hours, and workshops to focus on developing your venture-building toolkit. We’ll put these lessons together at a 2-day Make-a-Thon in Tokyo where you’ll build your landing page and practice what you’ve learned with your new community of innovators.
What will I learn?
By the end of the Spark program, participants will have:
- A clarified business/product concept that has been validated with real customers.
- A detailed business plan with initial go-to-market strategy.
- A compelling pitch deck.
- A real, live landing page to show the idea to the world.
- Membership in a dynamic global community of founders and innovators.
Who can apply to Spark?
Spark is open to any person, team, or organization looking to learn how to take a problem and turn it into a tangible idea that can be shared with potential customers.
When is the next Spark cohort?
Applications are closed for the upcoming Spark October. Check back in the Spring when we are accepting applications again.
Be sure to sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know!
General inquiries
Would you like to learn more about our Spark program or speak with someone directly at Moon? Email us at: spark@mooncreativelab.com
How does Spark work?
Week 1
Kick-off + Modules 1 & 2 @Tokyo
A celebratory in-person kickoff event and the first two workshops to get everyone inspired!
Dedicated time:
1 day live, in-person event in Tokyo
+ networking dinner
Week 2—7
Online interactive Zoom workshops
Informative lectures and guided hands-on workshops with dedicated facilitators to spark innovation.
Dedicated time:
2 hour live online workshop
+ 5 hours of self-directed project work per week
Week 8
Make-a-thon @Tokyo
Build a working website with Moon’s expert designers and engineers to promote your business to the world.
Dedicated time:
2 day live, in-person event in Tokyo
+ networking dinner
All Weeks During Spark
Orbit @Tokyo
Join our vibrant and diverse community of new business creators during Orbit, our in-person events hosted monthly.
Learn more:
Orbit events are regularly updated here.
Here is what will be covered
within the 8 week curriculum*:
Module 1
Finding the Right Problem
Learning focus:
Clarify and refine the problem you’re trying to solve.
Teachers:
Kaichi Yokoyama
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Peng
Chief Creative Officer
Module 2
Starting with Why
Learning focus:
Create a research plan and conduct user interviews.
Teachers:
Takuya Yamagishi
Senior Design Researcher
Yui Aiyama
Senior Design Researcher
Module 3
Mapping the Journey
Learning focus:
Create a user journey map to better understand your customer.
Teachers:
Vladimir Almonord
Design Director
Subaru Wong
Senior UI/UX Designer
Module 4
Sacrificing Ideas
Learning focus:
Brainstorm 30 wild ideas to solve your problem and select one.
Teachers:
Maiya Wiester
Design Lead
Rika Matsui
Program Manager
Module 5
Making your First Bet
Learning focus:
Sketch your Proof of Concept and prioritize initial features.
Teachers:
Kenneth Jeng
Senior Program Manager
Davide Petrillo
Senior Engineering Manager
Module 6
Testing what Works
Learning focus:
Design and run an experiment to test your idea in the real market.
Teachers:
Jimi Okelana
Senior Design Lead
Nic Schumann
Senior Software Engineer
Module 7
Building your Case
Learning focus:
Define your business model and go-to-market strategy.
Teachers:
Linda Kinning
Product Manager
Masahiro Kunieda
Business Innovation Lead
Module 8
Telling your Story
Learning focus:
Build a pitch deck and practice your elevator pitch.
Teachers:
Peter Antonelli
Head of Design
Kyra Yamamoto
Marketing Director
*exact content subject to change
Calendar
October
10/11, In-person
Module 1. Finding the Right Problem
9:30—17:30 JST
Module 2. Finding the Right Problem
9:30—17:30 JST
10/18, On-line
Module 3. Mapping the Journey
10:00—12:00 JST
10/25, On-line
Module 4. Sacrificing Ideas
10:00—12:00 JST
November
11/1, On-line
Module 5. Making your First Bet
10:00—12:00 JST
11/8, On-line
Module 6. Testing what Works
10:00—12:00 JST
11/15, On-line
Module 7. Building your Case
10:00—12:00 JST
11/22, On-line
Module 8. Telling your Story
10:00—12:00 JST