AgVenture Lab (hereinafter "AgLab"), a general incorporated association established by eight nationwide organizations of the JA Group and headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, with Aiko Tsuchida as Representative Director, has announced the selected participants for the third cohort of its entrepreneurship development program "GROW & BLOOM" (https://grow-bloom.agventurelab.or.jp/). A kickoff event was held on June 27 (Sat) together with the five participants selected from nearly 200 applications. The program officially begins today, June 29 (Mon), and will culminate in a final presentation event scheduled for September 12 (Sat), during which participants will refine their business plans. "GROW & BLOOM" is an entrepreneurship development program hosted by AgLab, targeting students and professionals interested in starting a business or planning to launch within one year, as well as startups in the early stages of founding. The program launched in fiscal year 2024, aiming to realize business ideas and commercialize ventures by leveraging the JA Group's extensive assets and expertise, along with mentorship support. The program features two tracks: GROW and BLOOM. The GROW track targets individuals without a concrete business plan yet, providing input through online workshops ranging from mindset development to business model formulation. The upcoming BLOOM track offers specialized support for those who have established or are establishing a company and aim to secure funding. Through mentoring and structured guidance, it helps elevate ideas and ventures to the next level. The selected participants for the BLOOM track of the third cohort are as follows: Company Name Representative Business Overview TERRIA Inc. Koyo Yamamoto Land-based aquaculture of purple sea urchins using culled sea urchins, discarded vegetables, and idle assets in a circular model MINORICA Inc. Yuya Hirata Creating next-generation farming models based on plant enhancement technology [Undisclosed] Akira O