[Cien Co., Ltd.] “Kikugawa Challenge” held by Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture to solve local issues and utilize local resources Cien Co., Ltd. was entrusted with the management of “Business Contest” *Cien Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 10, 2024
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Cien Co., Ltd. has been entrusted with the management of the “Kikugawa Challenge Business Contest” held by Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture to solve local issues and utilize local resources.
*Cien Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Masahiro Onishi) was entrusted with the management of the “Kikugawa Challenge Business Contest” held by Kikugawa City, Shizuoka
Prefecture. *
* First business contest held in Kikugawa City to solve local issues and utilize local resources *
“Kikugawa Challenge
The “Business Contest” aims to attract start-up companies from all over the country that develop new businesses that utilize local resources and business plans that lead to solving local issues such as agriculture and the environment, and to revitalize local industries by establishing new businesses. The purpose is This is the first time this event has been held in Kikugawa City.
*The role of Cien Co., Ltd. in this contest*
Cien Co., Ltd. is “Kikugawa Challenge”
We were entrusted with the management of the “Business Contest” and developed the planning and screening process for this contest as well as the screening criteria. Specifically, we create recruitment guidelines, entry forms, and landing pages, establish an operational system, set screening items, and select judges. In addition, “Kikugawa Challenge
In order to make the “Business Contest” a success, we will conduct PR activities to recruit participants, conduct screening, and follow up on winners.
Cien Co., Ltd. is a member of the Kikugawa City Industrial Support Center. We have been entrusted with the management and operation of EnGAWA, and have been operating the coworking space and cafe since March 15, 2024. The resident community manager understands the needs and issues of facility users, expands connections with experts and experienced people, and creates opportunities to change the future of the business.
By conducting this contest together with Kikugawa City, we will strive to solve Kikugawa City’s issues and create synergistic effects with EnGAWA’s efforts.
* Agriculture/industry and issues in Kikugawa City *
Agricultural production in Kikugawa City is centered on tea, including paddy rice and greenhouse horticulture, and a wide variety of agricultural products are carried out, including tea, lettuce, and melons. In addition, there are approximately 100 companies located mainly in industrial parks located in four locations in the city, including many companies with special technologies such as automobile parts and precision machine tools.
In the agricultural field, including the tea industry, issues include a lack of successors due to factors such as the aging of the population, and an increase in degraded farmland. Additionally, in the environmental field, we are moving forward with efforts to achieve zero carbon, and we need to work together with business operators. *Kikugawa Challenge Business Contest Overview*
*Recruitment theme*
*Tea/Agriculture*
– Countermeasures against dilapidated tea plantations and farmland – Utilization of tea and expansion of sales channels
– Agriculture DX
– Tourism utilizing tea gardens and farms, etc.
*Environment*
– Promoting carbon neutrality
– Businesses that utilize materials with low environmental impact, etc. * schedule*
Friday, September 13, 2024…Entry reception completed
Monday, September 30, 2024…Deadline for proposal submission
Monday, October 28, 2024…Document review completed
Tuesday, November 19, 2024…Unique review (closed pitch)
December 12, 2024 (Thursday)…Final review (open pitch)
From now on, we will provide retention support.
* Application qualifications *
– Those who are about to start a new business in Kikugawa City – People who are doing business in Kikugawa City
* Prize money (total prize money 2 million yen) *
Grand Prize: 1 million yen
Excellence Award: 500,000 yen
Encouragement award: 300,000 yen
Special award: up to 100,000 yen (2 to 3 companies)
Projects that pass the document screening will receive support such as satellite office subsidies, escort support, and networking in preparation for commercialization.
For details, please check the “Kikugawa Challenge Business Contest” special website.
Kikugawa Challenge Business Contest Special Site