スタートアップで合宿の重要性高まる 気ままなリライト162
A retreat-based training camp has become a crucial step for start-ups to navigate the inevitable obstacles in their growth journey, particularly in securing investor funding. Increasingly, start-ups are recognizing the value of those camps for team building, with a focus on individual growth to foster a resilient and adaptable organizational culture. By engaging in out-of-the-box experiences in stress-free natural settings, many start-ups are aiming to empower participants to return to the workplace with greater efficiency and cohesion, ultimately enhancing organizational performance and attracting further investment in the company’s potential.
The emergence of accommodation facilities specializing in team-building programs has contributed to the growing popularity of retreat-based training camps, especially among start-ups. Four companies offering unique group-targeted retreats reported that the number of start-ups using their camping sites doubled year-on-year, reaching 113 in 2023. This figure is projected to more than triple to 185 by the end of August 2024, compared with that in 2022, driven by the promotional efforts of those four companies: Island & Office in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, Ryukyu Wellness in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Takaone in Hachioji City, Tokyo, and Co-Creations in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
The growing interest in retreat-based training camps among start-ups has been partly fueled by mounting pressure on executives to make their companies more appealing to investors, particularly venture capitalists. According to the start-up information site Speeda, unlisted start-ups in Japan raised a total of 803.9 billion yen in 2023, marking a 20% decline from the previous year. For many executives, those camps are seen as the ideal way to strengthen team dynamics, foster innovation, enhance leadership, and cultivate a robust organizational culture—all crucial factors that investors weigh when assessing a start-up’s potential.
A retreat-based training camp hosted by DNX Ventures, a venture capital firm, has demonstrated the remarkable value of such experiences in advancing the broader organizational goals of start-ups. Held at a site managed by Island & Office in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, the camp brought together executives from ten medical-related start-ups backed by the firm. In this relaxed environment, open and honest inter-company discussions encouraged participants to share their true thoughts and experiences, fostering camaraderie while honing problem-solving and team-building skills. The camp emphasized the self-development of each leader, pushing them out of their comfort zones through challenging tasks designed to help them handle setbacks and obstacles without losing momentum. DNX Ventures hopes that this approach will ultimately lay the groundwork for long-term success, with a focus on strategic foresight that goes beyond immediate growth.
SpeakBuddy, an English conversation app developer based in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, is among the start-ups turning to retreat-based training camps as a way to cultivate a healthier, more supportive, and productive organizational culture. Last autumn, the company organized a digital detox retreat for its managerial staff members at a camp operated by Takaone, located at the foot of Mt. Takao near Tokyo. The retreat emphasized team-building through outdoor activities without the use of digital devices, such as chopping wood and building fires. This experience allowed participants to mentally and emotionally recharge. By stepping away from their usual dependence on digital devices, they became more aware of how pervasive technology is in their lives and how their digital habits affect their well-being and interactions with colleagues. This realization motivated them to adopt a more balanced approach to technology, promoting practices that reduce digital overload and support a healthier work-life balance.