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We are calling for business plans from all over Japan from September 1st (Fri.) to October 10th (Tue.) for entrepreneurs and start-ups who are planning to start up a new business in Yokohama. We encourage you to enter the contest.
About this Contest
Experienced judges will evaluate business plans for products and services that respond to the new era and new businesses that take on social issues according to five judging criteria.
Contest applicants can brush up their businesses by writing plans and receiving advice from IDEC Yokohama's expert consultants. Those who pass the document screening and advance to the finals will receive various benefits, including business matching opportunities with major companies in the city and a supplementary prize of up to 1 million yen.
Application Outline
(1) Application Eligibility
Any corporate or individual business owner who has a business base in Yokohama or plans to locate his/her business base in Yokohama in the future, and falls under either of the following 1) or 2).
(1) Within 3 years of starting a new business
(2) Direction of starting a business within 1 year of the Yokohama Business Grand Prix 2023 - YOXO Award - Final
*For details on judging criteria, application forms, etc., please refer to the following website.
https://www.idec.or.jp/kigyo/ybg/2024/
(2) Entry period
September 1 (Friday) - October 10 (Tuesday), 2023
Pre-consultation at IDEC Yokohama Consultation Office is available until October 6 (Fri.).
(3) Review Schedule
Mid-October to early November 2023 [Documents Screening].
December 3, 2023 (Sun) [Semifinal] Presentation Screening
Mid to late January 2024 [Brush up] Brush up plans and presentations
February 2, 2024 (Fri) [Final] Presentation Screening
(4) Merits of Application
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Business plan (business plan) brush-up support
Business plans can be brushed up by utilizing the One-Stop Management Support Desk.
Support for commercialization, financing, public relations, sales channel development, overseas expansion, matching, etc.
If necessary, we will provide generous support for business development after the Grand Prix.
<Merit for semi-finalists and finalists
Free use of coworking space and other great benefits
Finalists will receive one year of free use of the YOXO BOX 1st floor co-working space, a startup growth hub in the Kannai area.
Create opportunities for exchange (matching) with major companies in the city for the purpose of open innovation
In collaboration with the Yokohama Future Organization, we will hold exchange meetings (matching) with major companies, foreign companies, and start-ups in the Minatomirai area, as well as with past award winners.
More than 10 prizes from financial institutions, shared office operators, and other sponsors
The grand prize winner will receive an extra prize of 1 million yen, and sponsorship prizes will also be awarded to finalists by sponsoring organizations. Sponsorship prizes also include free use of facilities and meeting rooms from shared office operators.
What is Yokohama Business Grand Prix - YOXO Award?
This is a business plan contest to discover entrepreneurs and startups who aim to provide products and services that create new value in Yokohama, and to promote entrepreneurship and new businesses in Yokohama City by making maximum use of the support menu of IDEC Yokohama and the City of Yokohama. The first contest was held in 2003, and this year will be the 26th.
About the Yokohama Enterprise Support Foundation (IDEC Yokohama)
As the only "Small and Medium Business Support Center" in the city designated by the Mayor of Yokohama based on the Small and Medium Business Support Act, this public interest incorporated foundation aims to contribute to the revitalization of the Yokohama economy and the sound development of the local community.
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