Total prize money: 5 million yen! We are now accepting applications for the 3rd Batch of the incubation program “HAKOBUNE STARTUP CONTEST”! Supporting entrepreneurs’ first steps
HAKOBUNE Press release: September 30, 2024 Total prize money: 5 million yen! We are now accepting applications for the 3rd Batch of the incubation program “HAKOBUNE STARTUP CONTEST”! Supporting entrepreneurs’ first steps Brush up on your business ideas and get a chance to win prizes and investment offers! Application deadline is November 3rd (Sunday) HAKOBUNE, an independent VC specializing in the pre-seed and seed stages, has begun recruiting for the 3rd Batch of the “HAKOBUNE STARTUP CONTEST,” an incubation program that allows young people and working adults who are aiming to start a business to grow rapidly in a short period of time. This program will award a total of 5 million yen in prize money to support the challenges of outstanding entrepreneurs.
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■Features of HAKOBUNE STARTUP CONTEST Feature 1: Entry is OK with just an idea There is no need to have a complete business plan from the beginning. You can refine your ideas during the program. Feature 2: Provides a total of 5 million yen in prize money and investment opportunities Winners will receive the following prizes (not investments): 1st place: 2.5 million yen 2nd place: 1 million yen 3rd place: 500,000 yen Special award: 500,000 yen There is also a possibility that all participants will receive an investment offer from HAKOBUNE. Feature 3: Learn how to run a business through practical lectures You will learn practically the process of hypothesis testing and thinking methods necessary for starting a business, and we will support you to deepen your understanding of your business and customers. Feature 4: Interaction with peers and senior entrepreneurs Through interactions between program participants and senior entrepreneurs, we provide an environment where participants can work hard and work on projects with high motivation. Feature 5: Initial customer development support/key person introduction We support the development of initial customers to quickly launch your business, introduce you to important key personnel, and also support sales methods and document creation. Feature 6.: Access to unique information portal You can access the unique information portal that HAKOBUNE has accumulated. We provide useful information and benefits for startups. ■Recruitment conditions This applies to those who meet all of the following conditions. 1. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 50 *Applicable to those who are 15 years or older and under 50 years old as of May 1, 2024. 2. Those who aim to start a business in Tokyo by the end of 2024 *Those who have already registered their business or corporations are not eligible. *Even if you live outside of Tokyo, you can apply if you are aiming to start a business in Tokyo. 3. Those who can cooperate with the management of the program and work hard with other participants ■Examples of expected business themes (applications other than themes are also possible) This 3rd Batch, which will be held for the third time, has the following three major themes, and we look forward to the challenge of starting a business with innovative business ideas related to these themes. Japan Culture to Global Disseminating Japanese content and IP such as anime, games, and VTubers to the world Promoting global exchange through the metaverse and esports (Fortnite, Roblox, VRC, etc.) Overseas expansion of Japanese food culture and food processing technology Improving productivity through DX/AX Solutions to current issues facing Japan, such as declining birthrate, aging population, and labor shortage Development of AX (AI transformation) solution using generative AI Realizing immersive experiences using AR/VR technology Realizing a sustainable society through GX A project that aims to build a recycling-oriented society and economy by promoting the recovery, separation, and processing of resources, as well as sustainable consumption Efforts to realize a decarbonized society through the creation and dissemination of carbon credits Social implementation of carbon negative technologies such as DAC, afforestation, blue carbon, and carbon recycling We are looking for entrepreneurs with challenging ideas that align with this theme. Please take this opportunity to take on the challenge of launching a new business aimed at solving global markets and social issues. ■Program period November 3rd (Sunday): Application deadline November 30th (Saturday) – February 8th (Saturday): Lectures and mentoring (9 times in total) February 26th (Wednesday): Investor pitch event (pitch to 100 investors) *Only those selected from among the applicants can participate in the pitch event. *Prizes will be awarded to participants who make excellent pitches. ■About recruiting 3rd Batch participants If you would like to apply for the 3rd Batch of HAKOBUNE STARTUP CONTEST, please apply using the form below. Click here for the application form ■Overview of 2nd Batch Demo Day At the HAKOBUNE STARTUP CONTEST 2nd Batch Demo Day held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the selection was made in front of approximately 100 of Japan’s leading venture capital and angel investors who invest in pre-seed and seed-stage startups. Ten people made pitches. The project outline of the speakers and the pitch screening results are as follows. [Speakers and their business overview] 1. Kiyokae Tahara: Cosmetic advisor using discarded cosmetics 2. Takana Sato: Movie theater joint ownership service 3. Shintaro Irie: A relay property service where you can contract as the “next resident” of the property you want to live in 4. Takanori Itabashi: Realizing safe and easy data collaboration with privacy in mind 5. Kendai Nakamura: Get rid of the man whose romantic
conversations are boring! Feed Back Service) 6. Hayao Sato: Virtual advertising service that maximizes advertising effectiveness in influencer videos 7. Takahito Yamauchi: Anonymous employment entry platform that realizes culture-matched job changes 8. Taichi Hayashi: Meal management app that personalizes and recommends meals based on location information 9. Hiromi Kobayashi: Specialist search platform for university hospital doctors 10. Funahiki Rikuto: Medical tourism matching platform that delivers Japanese medical care to the world [Pitch examination results] 1st place: Funahiki Rikuto (Medical tourism matching platform that delivers Japanese medical care to the world) 2nd place: Hiromi Kobayashi (specialist search platform for university hospital doctors) 3rd place: Kendai Nakamura (Get rid of men whose love conversations are boring! Love conversation feed back service) This program is part of the “Startup Support Development Project (TOKYO SUTEAM) by Diverse Entities” promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This project was newly started in 2023, and aims to achieve “10x10x10” (10 times the number of unicorns originating in Tokyo, 10 times the number of start-ups in Tokyo, and 10 times the number of collaborative practices in Tokyo in five years). This will support the Tokyo metropolitan government’s implementation of various startup support measures. ■About HAKOBUNE Based on the concept of “Investing in change that will create a symbol of the times,” we invest in mavericks/misfits in organizations such as large companies, and create a cycle of producing adult entrepreneurs who will bring about changes that overturn common sense. We are a venture capital firm aiming to To date, we have invested in over 20 startup companies in the pre-seed and seed stages. In the future, we plan to expand our support to include incubation programs, community building, study sessions, and programs to discover adult
entrepreneurs. Please watch the interactive video below for an explanation of HAKOBUNE.
https://service.loov-video.com/s?id=cltdqglqd48r22n10ium8mb8u ■Inquiries regarding this press release For consultation on starting a business, raising funds, etc., click here:
https://www.hkbn.vc/contact Inquiries about HAKOBUNE STARTUP CONTEST: hello@hkbn.vc
