A Challenge to Pursue Innovation for Solving Social Issues
We are launching a discovery and recognition program for startups tackling social issues such as aging society, environmental challenges, elderly and disability care, childcare support, and urban development—pressing problems faced by Japan and the world.
This program seeks startups that create a positive impact on society. We recognize and support outstanding initiatives and look forward to applications from passionate innovators who are shaping the future!
Our Judges:
Yuji Hara 🇯🇵
APPLO CAPITAL Parner & Director
Akiyuki Minami 🇯🇵
CEO Crest Skill Partners
Takeshi Kanamori 🇯🇵
TK Ocean CEO
Tunku Omar Asraf 🇲🇾
Artem Ventures Partner
Hussein Sulaiman 🇮🇩
Investment Principal JDI
Rina Neoh 🇲🇾
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Ficus Capital
Dash Dhakshinamoorthy 🇲🇾
KL Based ecosystem and entrepreneur
Ecosystem Partner:
Community Partner:
Application Overview
Application Overview
Application Period: 30 April 2026
Award Date: Scheduled for May 2026
💡 Target Fields:
・Elderly and disability care
・Global environmental protection
・Declining productivity
・Intensifying disasters
・Childcare support
・Low birthrate and aging population,
・Depopulation of rural areas
・Waste of resources
・Urban development
・Environmental and other social issue solutions
・Lack of successors in companies
🌍Eligibility: Startups based in Asia working on social issue solutions
📝 Judging Panel: Currently being finalized
💻 Program Format: Fully online
💰Participation Fee: Free
Awards & Benefits
Grand Prize winners will receive exclusive rewards!
A booth at a prestigious conference in Japan
This program recognizes outstanding startups through a rigorous selection process by experts from Japan and abroad. Winners will gain valuable opportunities for market entry, networking, and business growth in Japan.
We look forward to your participation!
Benefits for Applicants
Free Online Business Japanese Group Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Learn practical Japanese for business pitches, negotiations, and meetings.
Gain useful Japanese language skills for networking, business card exchanges, and online meetings.
Instructor Introduction: Marie Asami Fukase (Summys Ventures CEO&Founder)
A venture capitalist who has supported four companies in achieving IPOs. She obtained a Japanese teaching license from a private university in Japan and has also worked as a volunteer Japanese teacher in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With extensive experience observing numerous entrepreneurs’ pitches, she provides practical and strategic Japanese language training tailored for business settings.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted through the designated form.
Please fill out the required information in the application form below and submit your entry.
Application Overview
📅 Application Period: Until 30th November, 2025
🏆 Award Date: Scheduled for December 2025
💡 Target Fields:
・Elderly and disability care
・Global environmental protection
・declining productivity
・intensifying disasters
・Childcare support
・Low birthrate and aging population,
・depopulation of rural areas
・waste of resources
・Urban development
・Environmental and other social issue solutions
・Lack of successors in companies
🌍Eligibility: Startups based in Asia working on social issue solutions
📝 Judging Panel: Currently being finalized
💻 Program Format: Fully online
💰Participation Fee: Free
Awards & Benefits
Grand Prize winners will receive exclusive rewards!
A booth at a prestigious conference in Japan
This program recognizes outstanding startups through a rigorous selection process by experts from Japan and abroad. Winners will gain valuable opportunities for market entry, networking, and business growth in Japan.
We look forward to your participation!
Judging Panel
Marie Asami Fukase (Summys Ventures CEO &4 IPOs Venture Capitalist)
Hiromasa Umemoto(ACCA MIA CTIM Summys Ventures CFO)
And others
Tunku Omar Asraf
(Artem Ventures Partner)
He has 10 years of experience in fintech, regulation, and private capital markets. He played a key role in launching Malaysia’s RM1.3 billion fund-of-funds at Penjana Kapital and led over 47 VC investments. He also serves on boards of startups like Ejen2u, Qwork, and Madcash.
Dash Dhakshinamoorthy
(KL Based ecosystem and entrepreneur)
He helps founders and professionals embrace entrepreneurship using effectuation principles. With 20+ years of experience, he guides early-stage ventures and career transitions. He transforms uncertainty into clarity and meaningful opportunity.He is an alumnus of the Judge Business School, Cambridge University.
Takeshi Kanamori
(TK Ocean CEO)
Yuji Hara
(APPLO CAPITAL Parner & Director)
Benefits for Applicants
Free Online Business Japanese Group Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Learn practical Japanese for business pitches, negotiations, and meetings.
Gain useful Japanese language skills for networking, business card exchanges, and online meetings.
Instructor Introduction: Marie Asami Fukase (Summys Ventures CEO&Founder)
A venture capitalist who has supported four companies in achieving IPOs. She obtained a Japanese teaching license from a private university in Japan and has also worked as a volunteer Japanese teacher in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With extensive experience observing numerous entrepreneurs’ pitches, she provides practical and strategic Japanese language training tailored for business settings.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted through the designated form.
Please fill out the required information in the application form below and submit your entry.
