Another works CEO promotes side-job entrepreneurship for startups

Naotomo Obayashi, CEO of Another works, advocates for “side-job entrepreneurship” as a strategic runway for aspiring founders to mitigate risks and secure essential resources.

Reflecting on recent startup activity in Sendai, where a major event drew approximately 3,000 participants including students from Tohoku University and Miyagi University, Obayashi notes that regional ecosystems still face challenges. Specifically, startups often migrate to Tokyo to seek capital, markets, and talent once they achieve growth.

Obayashi suggests that starting a business while maintaining full-time employment allows individuals to secure income, test business models with minimal risk, and build a network of collaborators. Furthermore, he posits that professional talent from urban centers can support regional startups through side-job arrangements, helping to bridge the expertise gap in areas outside of Tokyo.