Yamaha Corporation Launches Global Business Contest “TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge” to Drive Innovation Through Sound

[Yamaha Corporation] Starting with sound, co-creating innovation with the world: Global business contest “TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge” held ​
Yamaha Corporation Press Release: September 10, 2025 Starting with sound, co-creating innovation with the world: Global business contest “TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge” held – Applications open September 10, 2025- Yamaha Corporation (hereinafter, “Yamaha”) is hosting the “TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge,” a global business contest with companies around the world, aiming to create new value centered on sound.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/10701/1020/10701-1020-e09e69bfee1af3830ffd9f1e020a19dc-992×700.jpg

Official site ​ In April, we established a new business development department directly under the president, and are now fully committed to creating new businesses. Under the newly established name “TRANSPOSE,” we are working to create a system for creating new businesses and develop them. The contest will begin accepting applications on September 10th, and ideas will be accepted from both inside and outside the company, including overseas, until October 31st. Submitted ideas will undergo a first and second round of judging, with a final pitch to be held in February 2026. The best proposals will be recognized, and verification and partnerships aimed at commercialization will be accelerated. What is the TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge Under the goal of “taking on the challenge of creating the future together with innovators from around the world,” we and our partner companies will work with startups with innovative technologies, products, and services to create new businesses and ambitious services. The Grand Prize winner will receive a variety of opportunities, including proof-of-concept support with up to 5 million yen in business development funding, collaboration with our business, fundraising discussions with Yamaha Music Innovations Fund I, LP, the corporate venture capital fund managed by our U.S. subsidiary, and U.S. venture capital, as well as business possibilities with partner companies. TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge Overview Application period Wednesday, September 10, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025 Theme Sound × Place, Sound × Well-being, Sound × Creative Examination schedule First round of judging (November 2025) Second round of judging (scheduled for December 2025 – January 2026) Final pitch (scheduled for February 2026) How to apply Application form on the official website *Please check the official website for details. Official site
https://yamaha-music.agorize.com/challenges/transpose-innovation-challenge-2025 Organizer Yamaha Corporation Partner companies Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC, Monitor Deloitte, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., CRI Middleware Co., Ltd., Mori Building Co., Ltd., Macromill Inc., Kyocera Corporation, BIRD INITIATIVE Inc. Sponsored by Yokohama City Economic Bureau Comment from Executive Officer General Manager of New Business Development Department, Masamitsu Kitase We will create a future where individuality shines through the power of music and sound. In today’s world where AI and robots are evolving, music enriches people’s hearts. Furthermore, in a society overflowing with visual information, sound should enable new urban evolution. We look forward to meeting like-minded startups that use the power of sound to create a richer place, a more well-being, and a more creative society. Aiming to be a global space for co-creation This contest is collaborating with companies in a variety of fields to support the realization and commercialization of outstanding ideas. Through this contest, we aim to discover innovative ideas globally and, by co-creating with startups and companies, create social value and realize innovation through sound. *Product and company names mentioned in the text are trademarks or registered trademarks of our company or the respective companies. *The information contained in this press release is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that it may be subject to change after the date of announcement.