Nulab Product Creation Program
nu source
Changing the World with Your Drop
Changing the World
with Your Drop
Appli-
cation
period2025
2/10mon.
6/30mon.
Everything Started from One Source
Nulab's services, which have been created with the aim of "To make creating simple and enjoyable," have always started with source code.
Take Backlog, for example. It started when our engineers, drawing from their experience in contract development, built a prototype and launched a beta service from a single laptop-turned-server.
This approach — starting with an engineer's pure creative drive and refining through iterative testing — has been the cornerstone of Nulab's growth.
Every service we've launched stems from this drive: the desire to create, to explore what's interesting, and to share it with the world.
We believe more services should be born from such passion.
Change the World with Your Code
At Nulab, we envision a world where “Good Sources” flourish, empowering teams across the globe to find joy in their work. We also want to build an ecosystem where developers can take on new challenges, time and time again.
This vision comes to life through Nu Source, Nulab's new initiative that will bring together passionate developers from both inside and outside our company. By fostering an intersection of technology, collaboration and creative ideas, we're catalyzing the next wave of innovative products that will shape tomorrow.
New! Now accepting applications from external candidates!
Nu Source promotes collaboration transcending corporate boundaries.
Passion for creation is one of Nulab’s sources of value. In order to keep that passion alive, we want to learn from our successes and failures not only as Nulabers but also alongside people from outside Nulab.
SOURCE
Idea
Passion
for
creation
Product
A system and environment that allows you to focus on product development
As a startup from Nu Source, we provide an environment where you can concentrate on creating things. With comprehensive development support, you can consider various options in the future, such as going independent or selling your business.
Opportunities available to everyone
Anyone with a passion for creation can apply to this program, whether from inside or outside our company. This is an opportunity for everyone who aspires to launch their own service or start a business in the future.
Full support for creators
After you have passed through document screening and before the program begins, you will be supported by mentors active in various industries. Exports in fields such as product management, business development, and intellectual property will provide guidance to Nu Source contenders.
Rapid value verification
Nulab’s flagship service Backlog is already in use by over 14,000 teams around the world. We will leverage Nulab’s client base to set up opportunities to interview customers and the like early on, enabling rapid value verification.
An environment that maximizes your potential
From the time proof of concept starts until you get set up on your own, you will be engaged in compensated new business development within Nulab Group. We will provide an environment that lets you concentrate on creation without worrying about working capital or the like.
Application focus area
Team Collaboration
Technology areas
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XR
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Web
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IoT
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AI
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Web3
We are inviting proposals for services that use these technologies “To make creating simple and enjoyable.”
* XR includes MR, VR and AR.
Judges
Hashimoto Masanori
CEO, Nulab Inc.
Niki Katsumasa
CEO, DEEPCORE
External Auditor Nulab Inc.
nakashima seiichiro
CPO, Nulab Inc.
ozasa aya
CEO, Colorful LLC
External Director, Nulab Inc.
Mentors
Ito Chihiro
Product Manager
Finace Startup
Shirakawa Hiroaki
Executive Officer
MI-6 Ltd.
Kodama Hiroyasu
Founder
G’s ACADEMY
Kogi Tomohiko
Managing Patent Attorney
Socidea Intellectual Property Office
Tabata Mariko
Startup/
Megaventure
Finance Manager
Judges
Masanori Hashimoto
CEO
Nulab Inc.
CEO
Nulab Inc.
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1976. After graduating from Fukuoka Prefectural Sawara High School, moved to Tokyo and worked in restaurant industry. Also gained experience organizing theater company and performing live club music. In 1998, returned to Fukuoka and worked in father's construction business. In 2001, switched careers to programmer. In 2004, founded Nulab Inc. in Fukuoka and became representative director. Currently developing and operating Backlog, Cacoo, and Nulab Pass in order to make team collaboration a rewarding experience for people around the world. In addition to its Fukuoka headquarters, the company has locations in Tokyo, Kyoto, New York, and Amsterdam, and is steadily building up its global presence.
Judges
Katsumasa Niki
CEO
DEEPCORE
External Auditor
Nulab Inc.
CEO
DEEPCORE
External Auditor
Nulab Inc.
Head of investment division at SoftBank Group until 2016, overseeing investment projects at various stages inside and outside Japan. Worked on large-scale M&A deals like Vodafone and Sprint as well as foreign investments in technology companies and startups such as Aldebaran Robotics, Grab, and Coupang, and has served as director at Renren, Supercell, Grab, GungHo Online Entertainment, Geniee, and others. Has also served on investment committees for several domestic and international VCs. In 2017, founded DEEPCORE, leveraging his experience to assist early-stage AI startups from a variety of perspectives.
Judges
Seiichiro Nakashima
CPO
Nulab Inc.
CPO
Nulab Inc
Has served in a variety of industries in financial accounting, consulting, and the like at IHI Corporation, Deloitte Tohmatsu Financial Advisory LLC, and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. After joining freee in 2018, launched Customer Success, was manager for Western Japan office, and launched Business Development. As CPO of Advisor Business Division, took part in product strategy formulation and structural development. After that, at Mitsubishi UFJ Group company Kanmu, took part in developing product structure as director of consumer products, and in 2025, became CPO responsible for managing all Nulab Inc. products.
Judges
Aya Ozasa
CEO, Colorful LLC
Director
Association for Promotion of Community Marketing
Associate Professor
Graduate School of Technology Management
Nippon Institute of Technology
External Director, Nulab Inc.
CEO, Colorful LLC
Director
Association for Promotion of Community Marketing
Associate Professor
Graduate School of Technology Management
Nippon Institute of Technology
External Director, Nulab Inc.
After working at Recruit and Google, co-founded EventRegist, serving as COO and later participating in the company's buyout. Has nearly 20 years of experience in BtoB marketing and over 15 years in corporate management. From past experience, believes that a customer-oriented community facilitates business growth and increased corporate value, and in 2024, founded Association for Promotion of Community Marketing, serving as director.
Mentors
Chihiro Ito
Product Manager
Finace Startup
Product Manager
Finace Startup
After working as web engineer, in PMO, and more, joined Nulab Inc. as support engineer. Later served as manager of customer support department and launched UX writing system, then moved to fintech company and transitioned to career as product manager. Also leverages wide range of experience from development to business as independent UX designer/writer.
Mentors
Hiroaki Shirakawa
Executive Officer
MI-6 Ltd.
Executive Officer
MI-6 Ltd.
Majored in technology management at Tokyo Institute of Technology (now Institute of Science Tokyo) Graduate School. Worked on LNG and petroleum refining plant construction projects at JGC Corporation. Later worked at IBM Japan, and then for Nulab Inc., contributing to business growth as product manager for their project and task management tool, Backlog.
Now utilizes wide range of experience in business strategy consulting, sales, product management, etc., as executive officer at MI-6 Inc.
Mentors
Hiroyasu Kodama
Founder
G’s ACADEMY
Founder
G’s ACADEMY
Has supervised creation of 10 new school brands in 25 years. After heading up Digital Hollywood School, founded G’s ACADEMY in June 2016 and moved there full time. Established D ROCKETS, a startup support system exclusively for graduates, providing comprehensive, hands-on business guidance and support and successfully assisting in the startup of 106 companies in 9 years.
Mentors
Tomohiko Kogi
Managing Patent Attorney
Socidea Intellectual Property Office
Managing Patent Attorney
Socidea Intellectual Property Office
Patent attorney with 20 years in intellectual property field. After working overseas as engineer for foreign ICT manufacturer, joined patent firm and handled patent cases for IBM, Yahoo, Honda, major video game makers, etc. Then set up own practice, Socidea Intellectual Property Office, in 2011. Advises approximately 200 small and medium-sized enterprises and startups annually, mainly in Kyushu. Provided intellectual property advice to Saga University’s first startup, OPTiM Corporation, before and after its IPO, contributing to improved corporate value.
Mentors
Mariko Tabata
Startup/Megaventure
Finance Manager
Startup/Megaventure
Finance Manager
After working in accounting at a transportation infrastructure company, she was in charge of corporate planning and finance at an IT company. In 2017, she joined Nulab Inc., where she was responsible for building an accounting and financial system for the IPO and contributed to the company's listing on the growth market. She is currently involved in corporate planning at Megaventure and supporting IPOs for startups.
Flow
JOIN THE Nulab
GROUP OR REMAIN
INDEPENDENT.
You can apply even if you are not a Nulab employee.
-
Eligibility
Those who meet any of the following criteria (1-3).
-
Nulab employee
-
Individual 18 years or older*1
-
Representative or employee of a corporation registered in Japan within three years of founding*2
There is no limit on the number of applications per person. You can submit as many ideas and retry as many times as you like.
- *1
- For foreign nationals residing in Japan, you must be legally eligible to stay in Japan during the program period that we specify.
If you are employed by a company, we require that you are able to commit to the project as a contractor during the proof-of-concept period.
- *2
- Regardless of head office location, etc.
-
-
Application
periodMon. Feb. 10 -
Mon. Jun. 30, 2025 -
Selection
procedureAfter document screening and selection by the judges based on the content of the entry, participants will participate in the program.
-
How to
applyApply through Google Forms.
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Briefing
Online briefings are always available on Peatix.
Will my application be kept confidential?
Applicant information will not be made public without permission. However, we would appreciate your cooperation in publicity activities.
The organizers will not make public the fact that you have applied or any ideas that you have submitted without your permission. If you are a Nulab employee, we will not share your application with your superiors without your permission. However, we would appreciate your cooperation in publicity activities, such as preparation of Nu Source event reports and interview articles. In such cases, articles and the like will nonetheless not be made public without prior notice.
Do I need to be an engineer to apply?
Applicants may come from any occupation. However, it is expected that only the representative will proceed with prototype development.
In the program, after screening by the judges, it is expected that you will be transferred to Nulab Group or work as a contractor to conduct the proof of concept. At that time, only the representative will have a contractual relationship with Nulab Group. Please be aware that this is the structure in which prototyping will be carried out.
However, it is fine for you to ask for help from people you know during proof of concept or prototype development.
Can people apply as a team?
Team applications are not allowed. You must start out as an individual.
It is completely acceptable for multiple people to come up with ideas. However, the entry must be made by a single individual. There are two main reasons for this.
In accordance with the Source Principle, Nu Source recommends a methodology for driving business forward that starts from the person with the most passion.
After proof of concept and prototype screening, when you set up a company to move on to a minimum viable product, having a single representative will speed up the process, taking capital allocation and other factors into account.
It is fine for you to conduct proof of concept and prototype development with the assistance of others. Of course, the organizers will assign you an appropriate mentor and provide support for the development of your business.
I have development experience but no experience in sales or marketing. How much business expertise is required?
Nu Source staff and mentors will assist you with any skills you may be missing.
No one starts out with experience or skills in every area. As the phases progress, you may need a wider range of skills, such as the ability to utilize a sales perspective when conducting proof of concept. However, you will not need to go through everything by yourself because you will have the support of Nu Source's team of organizers and mentors as you progress. We will be there with you until the end, so you can proceed with confidence.
Will I need to submit a business plan at the document screening stage?
A business plan is not required.
You do not need to submit a business plan or the like in the entry stage at the start. What we want to ascertain at the initial stage is the applicant's passion for the product. What is needed for your application is simple. Be sure to attend the program information session and review the details.
How certain must I be about the possibility of monetization in order to apply?
Monetization will be validated during the proof-of-concept process, etc.
As noted above, you do not need to submit a business plan at the application stage. We emphasize the applicant's passion for the product. In recent times, there have been cases where technological innovation has led to major changes in the way we work, not just products that solve immediate problems. Examples include the rise of smartphones and the proliferation of generative AI. Nu Source's organizing office will assist with proof-of-concept interviews and the like.
Is synergy with Nulab’s business an important consideration in the screening process?
It is an important consideration, but screening will not be conducted solely based on the degree of synergy.
The purpose of Nu Source is to accelerate Nulab’s brand mission, which is “To make creating simple and enjoyable.” If there is anything that contributes to the achievement of this mission, we will determine that there is synergy. However, screening will not be conducted solely based on the degree of synergy.
At what stage can we start working as a team?
At the stage where a company has been set up following completion of prototype development.
Nulab will provide (invest) activity funds for setting up a company. Using these funds, you will organize a team and try to grow your service. For example, you could contract with staff to work for your company on the side, or you could use crowdsourcing or hire part-time workers.