SOWT
SOWT is a Yokohama-based non-profit foundation that runs a portfolio of community programs — networking events, a podcast, case-study courses, and crowdfunding mentorship — to support social entrepreneurs, NPO leaders, and mid-senior professionals pursuing second careers in the social sector.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersYokohama, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SOWT does
SOWT (一般財団法人 社会価値共創ファーム) is a Japanese general incorporated foundation (non-profit) headquartered at 33 Nihon Odori in Yokohama's Kannai district, established on April 28, 2023 by Harada Yuka, the former representative director of Kanna Innovations Inc. The foundation's purpose is to act as a coordination node for social value co-creation across government, business, and civil society in Yokohama, inheriting 14+ years of community-building activity from its predecessor organization. It does not develop or sell technology products; instead it operates a portfolio of programmatic services including the SOWT Cafe networking series, the nexus career podcast/event series, a case-study-based NPO management learning program (developed with Hamagin Research Institute), the annual KANAGAWA HERI-PORT heritage event, the 関内大解剖ラボ participatory urban research project, and structured crowdfunding-mentorship services for social-sector organizations.
The foundation's revenue mechanics are diversified across small-denomination streams: annual supporting-member subscriptions (individual 5,000 yen, corporate 30,000 yen, special 50,000 yen), event ticket fees (1,000–2,500 yen per session), and professional services for crowdfunding accompaniment — a practice that has supported 41 successful campaigns raising approximately 70 million yen in total. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with marketing concentrated on Instagram, a Spotify podcast, the Peatix ticketing platform, and the sowt.foundation website, and with physical programming hosted at two Kannai venues — mass×mass (Kanagawa Prefectural Housing Supply Corporation) and benten103 (KANMATACH). Customer segments are a hybrid of mid-senior professionals seeking second careers, social entrepreneurs and changemakers in the Yokohama/Kanagawa area, and NPO leaders seeking management education. Capitalization consists of 3,000,000 yen in basic assets established via a 2023 crowdfunding campaign that raised 4,895,500 yen from approximately 250 supporters; revenue is not publicly disclosed.
SOWT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SOWT
- Legal name
- 一般いたま向社会価値共創ファーム
- Website
- https://sowt.foundation
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- SOWT is a Yokohama-based non-profit foundation that runs a portfolio of community programs — networking events, a podcast, case-study courses, and crowdfunding mentorship — to support social entrepreneurs, NPO leaders, and mid-senior professionals pursuing second careers in the social sector.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SOWT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Sector Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Creator Fundraising & Crowdfunding Platforms (Recurring/Project-Based) (MPACAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH)
Keywords
Where SOWT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yokohama
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
SOWT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Supporting Member Fees (賛助会員会費): SOWT collects annual membership fees from supporting members. Individual membership is priced at 5,000 yen per year, corporate membership at 30,000 yen per year, and special membership at 50,000 yen per year. Members gain access to SOWT's ecosystem and receive updates on events and programs.
- Event Participation Fees: SOWT generates revenue from paid events and workshops, with ticket prices ranging from 1,000 yen to 2,500 yen per event. Events include SOWT Cafe, nexus career sessions, case study workshops, and special programs.
- Growth Support Programs (成長支援): SOWT provides structured growth support programs for social entrepreneurs and changemakers, including courses and bootcamps. These programs are planned to launch in autumn as part of the organization's medium-to-long-term strategy for the coming three years.
- Crowdfunding Mentorship / Accompaniment Support (クラファン伴走支援): SOWT provides crowdfunding mentorship services to social sector organizations. Based on experience accompanying 44 crowdfunding campaigns resulting in 41 successful fundraisings totaling approximately 70 million yen (関内イノベーションイニシアティブ実績), SOWT supports project owners through the crowdfunding process.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Supporting Member — 5,000 yen per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Supporting Member — 30,000 yen per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Special Supporting Member — 50,000 yen per year |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | BAYSIDE FES event ticket — 2,500 yen |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | SOWT Cafe event ticket — 2,000 yen per session |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | 越境実験室 collaboration event — 1,000 yen (includes one drink) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SOWT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SOWT (一般財団法人 社会価値共創ファーム) is a general incorporated foundation that builds a social value co-creation ecosystem in Yokohama through community events, educational programs, and crowdfunding mentorship. Its core offerings include the SOWT Cafe networking series, the nexus career podcast/event series, NPO management case study learning programs, annual KANAGAWA HERI-PORT heritage events, participatory urban research (関内大解剖ラボ), and a supporting member program. The foundation charges annual membership fees (5,000–50,000 yen) and per-event ticket fees (1,000–2,500 yen), and provides paid crowdfunding accompaniment services drawing on experience supporting 44 campaigns.
Product overview
SOWT (一般財団法人 社会価値共創ファーム) is a general incorporated foundation based in Yokohama that serves as a social ecosystem builder rather than a technology product company. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including: SOWT Cafe (networking exchange events), nexus career (podcast/event series exploring cross-sector careers), case study learning programs for NPO management, KANAGAWA HERI-PORT (annual heritage-focused events), 関内大解剖ラボ (participatory urban research), crowdfunding accompaniment support services, and a supporting member program. These programs collectively aim to increase the number of people and organizations creating new social value in Yokohama.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SOWT Cafe A networking event series where people who want to start something in their community or think about new ways of living and working gather to learn from pioneers and engage in dialogue. Each session features a guest speaker and workshop activities. Ticket priced at 2,000 yen per session with capacity of 20 participants.
- nexus career An event and podcast series that explores 'nexus career' — careers that add social value by crossing sector boundaries and holding multiple roles. Features interviews with practitioners who share their career journeys and insights. Distributed as a podcast on Spotify.
- Case Study Learning Program for NPO Management (\u30b1\u30fc\u30b9\u30b9\u30bf\u30c7\u30a3\u304b\u3089\u5b66\u3076NPO\u306e\u7d4c\u55b6) A study program using case study materials to deepen understanding of NPO management. Created 6 case studies with support from Hamagin Research Institute, featuring group discussions and lectures for social sector practitioners.
- KANAGAWA HERI-PORT An annual report event (HERI-PORT = Heritage + Report) co-hosted with Heritage Times Yokohama/Kanagawa, featuring speakers on history-inspired urban community development in Kanagawa prefecture. The 2025 event featured 6 speakers discussing heritage preservation and utilization. Ticket priced at 2,500 yen.
- Kannai Major Anatomy Lab (\u95a2\u5185\u5927\u89e3\u5256\u30e9\u30dc) A participatory research project that examines Yokohama's Kannai district 'like a living organism,' exploring its history, daily life, challenges, and possibilities. The first edition focused on 'Kannai Odori' (main street). Co-hosted with KANMATACH Project.
- Crowdfunding Accompaniment Support (\u30af\u30e9\u30d5\u30a1\u30f3\u4f34\u8d70\u652f\u63f4) Crowdfunding accompaniment support service for social sector projects. SOWT has successfully supported 44 crowdfunding projects with 41 projects raising approximately 70 million yen in total. Provides mentorship to project owners through the crowdfunding process based on extensive experience.
- Supporting Member Program (\u8cdb\u52a9\u4f1a\u54e1\u30d7\u30ed\u30b0\u30e9\u30e0) A supporting member program that allows individuals and organizations to support SOWT's activities. Offers three tiers: Individual (5,000 yen/year), Corporate (30,000 yen/year), and Special (50,000 yen/year). Members gain access to SOWT's ecosystem and receive updates on events and programs. Payment via PayPal or bank transfer.
Quantifiable outcome
- 41 crowdfunding campaigns successfully accompanied, raising approximately 70 million yen in total (関内イノベーションイニシアティブ実績)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SOWT
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SOWT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SOWT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and significant.
- KANMATACHプロジェクトcoreSOWT co-hosts the '関内大解剖ラボ' (Kannai Major Anatomy Lab) participatory research project with KANMATACHプロジェクト. The initiative treats the streets of Kannai as 'living creatures' to be diagnosed collectively by participants. KANMATACH also operates the benten103 venue where many SOWT events are held.
- 一般법인越境実験室 (越境実験室)coreSOWT co-hosted a collaborative event on 'border-crossing' (越境) and the future of Yokohama with 一般법인越境実験室. The event, facilitated by 代表理事小林こず恵, explored cross-sector collaboration for urban revitalization through workshops and visioning exercises.
- ヘリテイジタイムズ横浜・神奈川coreSOWT co-hosts the annual 'KANAGAWA HERI-PORT' (神奈川ヘリポート) events with this web media outlet focused on heritage buildings in Yokohama and Kanagawa. The event brings together 6 practitioners each year to share stories of history-based community revitalization. SOWT has co-hosted both the 2025 and 2026 editions.
- GOOT JapancoreSOWT co-hosted the GOOT Japan kickoff meeting and Korean fair tourism research presentation. GOOT Japan (a branch of Korean GOOT) promotes fair tourism connecting local communities. SOWT played a key role in connecting the Korean and Japanese GOOT organizations after hosting a joint study session in 2023. SOWT continues to support GOOT Japan's activities.
- 浜銀総合研究所 (Hamgin Research Institute)significantSOWT collaborated with 浜銀総合研究所 to develop 6 case studies on NPO/social business management in the Yokohama/Kanagawa area. Three researchers from 浜銀総合研究所 (木鋤岳志, 古舘茜, 田中知宏) served as instructors for SOWT's case study-based learning workshops on NPO management.
- サイボウズ株式会社 ソーシャルデザインラボ (Cybozu Social Design Lab)significantSOWT partnered with Cybozu's Social Design Lab to deliver the 'Beginners kintone Seminar' targeting NPO and civic organizations. Cybozu provides its nonprofit team support license (used by approximately 2,300 organizations) and expert staff to help social sector organizations improve operational efficiency through IT tools.
- CAMPFIREsignificantSOWT partnered with CAMPFIRE (Japan's leading crowdfunding platform) to deliver an event teaching crowdfunding best practices for social sector organizations. SOWT has accumulated extensive crowdfunding accompaniment experience through its predecessor organization, having successfully accompanied 44 campaigns raising approximately 70 million yen.
- mass×mass 関内フューチャーセンター (神奈川県住宅供給公社)coreSOWT uses mass×mass 関内フューチャーセンター (operated by Kanagawa Prefectural Housing Supply Corporation) as its primary event venue. This space hosts the SOWT Activity Report Meeting, nexus career events, KANAGAWA HERI-PORT events, and the 2nd anniversary Future Session. The center is located at the Japan Odori location (日本大通33).
- benten103 (フロール横濱関内103)coreSOWT uses benten103 (KANMATACHプロジェクト運営) as a key venue for SOWT Cafe, nexus career sessions, and workshop events. Located at 青岛市中区弁天通3-47-2 フロール横濱関内103, it serves as the Kannai-area hub for SOWT's community programming.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SOWT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 認定NPO法人サービスグラント: Provides pro bono professional support to NPOs and social ventures, addressing the same NPO capacity-building pain point SOWT targets through case study workshops and crowdfunding mentorship.
- NPO法人ETIC. Tokyo-based NPO that supports social entrepreneurs through incubation programs, events, and capacity building. Closely comparable to SOWT in mission (growing social entrepreneurs) and methodology (cohort programs, mentorship, community events), though operating at national scale rather than single-city.
- 一般社団法人Social Innovation Japan (SIJ): A platform that showcases and connects Japanese social entrepreneurs with capital and talent. Overlaps with SOWT's role as a connector for social entrepreneurs in Yokohama, though SIJ operates at national scope.
- 一般社団法人RCF: A non-profit infrastructure organization supporting civil society in Japan through funding intermediation, NPO capacity building, and ecosystem convening. Comparable to SOWT in acting as a cross-sector connector and community platform, but at a national rather than city level.
- NPO法人NPOサポートセンター: NPO that supports other NPOs through management consulting, training, and organizational development — overlapping significantly with SOWT's case-study based learning programs and growth support offerings.
Broad incumbents
- 公益財団法人日本NPOセンター: The leading national infrastructure organization for the Japanese NPO sector, providing policy advocacy, research, and capacity-building resources. Comparable to SOWT in mission but much larger and operating as the sector-wide umbrella body.
- 公益財団法人信頼資本財団: A grantmaking foundation funding innovative social sector projects in Japan. Comparable to SOWT as a private foundation oriented toward social value, though it focuses on grantmaking rather than community programming.
Regional players
- CAMPFIRE: Japan's leading crowdfunding platform, and an active partner of SOWT for crowdfunding education events. Comparable in the crowdfunding domain but operates a technology platform rather than human accompaniment services.
Emerging players
- NPO法人グリーンズ: A media and community organization covering social entrepreneurs and sustainable business in Japan, including the popular 'greenz.jp' publication. Comparable to SOWT's content-and-community model via nexus career and SOWT Cafe.
- ソーシャル・インベストメント・パートナーズ (Social Investment Partners): Supports social entrepreneurs in Japan with funding, consulting, and ecosystem-building services. Overlaps with SOWT's growth support and crowdfunding accompaniment offerings, with greater emphasis on investment-style support.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SOWT social profiles
Digital presenceSOWT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SOWT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
SOWT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SOWT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SOWT
What does SOWT do?
SOWT (一般財団法人 社会価値共創ファーム) is a general incorporated foundation that builds a social value co-creation ecosystem in Yokohama through community events, educational programs, and crowdfunding mentorship. Its core offerings include the SOWT Cafe networking series, the nexus career podcast/event series, NPO management case study learning programs, annual KANAGAWA HERI-PORT heritage events, participatory urban research (関内大解剖ラボ), and a supporting member program. The foundation charges annual membership fees (5,000–50,000 yen) and per-event ticket fees (1,000–2,500 yen), and provides paid crowdfunding accompaniment services drawing on experience supporting 44 campaigns.
Is SOWT a public or private company?
SOWT is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SOWT founded?
SOWT was founded in 2023.
Where is SOWT based?
SOWT is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does SOWT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Supporting Member Fees (賛助会員会費) is the primary driver. The others are event Participation Fees, growth Support Programs (成長支援) and crowdfunding Mentorship / Accompaniment Support (クラファン伴走支援).
Who are SOWT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 認定NPO法人サービスグラント, NPO法人ETIC., 一般社団法人Social Innovation Japan (SIJ), 一般社団法人RCF and NPO法人NPOサポートセンター. Broad incumbents are 公益財団法人日本NPOセンター and 公益財団法人信頼資本財団. CAMPFIRE is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are NPO法人グリーンズ and ソーシャル・インベストメント・パートナーズ (Social Investment Partners).
Does SOWT have an API?
No public API is recorded for SOWT.
What industry is SOWT in?
SOWT's product category is Social Sector Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAFAJ, Creator Fundraising & Crowdfunding Platforms (Recurring/Project-Based), with a secondary code of FSAAABAH, Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments). Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8600.