2026
The 5th Makinohara City Challenge Business Contest
A record 230 companies (156 domestic, 74 international) entered Maki-Challe 2026. The semi-finalists selected in the first screening round have been decided. Finalists and award winners will be announced on this page as the selection process progresses.
October 1 (Thu) 15:00â18:00
Streamed online. Subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you don't miss it.
230 companies
Entries
156 domestic + 74 international
11 countries
Countries
40 companies
Semi-Finalists
selected from 5 countries
200äžå
Grand Prize
â Now
The closed pitch round (second screening) with the 40 semi-finalists is currently underway. (August 19 â September 18, 2026)
To be announced on September 24, 2026
â Schedule
Schedule
June 1 (Mon) â July 31 (Fri) 23:59
Entry Period
June 1 (Mon) â August 3 (Mon) 23:59
Business Plan Submission Period
After registering your entry, please wait for contact from the secretariat. We will reach out individually regarding business plan submission.
August 18 (Tue)
First Round Results (Semi-Finalist Announcement)
August 19 (Wed) â September 18 (Fri)
Closed Pitch Review Period (Second Round)
September 24 (Thu)
Finalist Announcement
October 1 (Thu) 15:00â18:00
Open Pitch Review (Third Round)
October 20 (Tue) 16:00â18:00
Awards Ceremony
Venue: Iira
Wed, Oct 21
Collaboration Meetup (First-ever)
The day after the awards ceremony, we hold a 'Collaboration Meetup' where you can speak directly with sponsor companies (venue: Makinohara Incubation Center). Open to all applicants, not only the winners.
â Semi-Finalists
Semi-Finalists
40 companies from 5 countries were selected as semi-finalists out of 230 entries (156 domestic, 74 international).
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿã¯ããœããJapan
- INNFRAæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- Zenmovæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€ŸUBIQSJapan
- ã¢ããããŠã¹æ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€ŸMINORICAJapan
- MarinaTexUK
- Abnous Podia Invest&Architectæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿã©ã€ãã©ã€ãJapan
- Ascending Minds LLPIndia
- RIFFAI LLCJapan
- Waterhumanæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- Morphing IKorea
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿã·ãªãŠã¹Japan
- IN-NATUREKorea
- LOOVICæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- ããšã€ããã³ã¯ã°ã«ãŒãæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- Farm Gulp Private LimitedIndia
- WELL-BEING HEALTH PHARM CO., LTD.Korea
- ãšã³ã²ãŒãæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿmuuv linksJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€ŸæµæŸãã«ã¹Japan
- ãã¡ãŒãã»ã¢ãµããJapan
- cynapsæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- ã¯ãŒã«ãã©ã€ã€ãŒæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- ineRoboæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- ANIBIOME Co., Ltd.Korea
- ãµãã®ãã«ã¢ãŠããã¢äŒæ¥çµåJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿãã€ãžã§ãJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿã»ã¬ã¯ããšãŒãžã§ã³ãJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿã¢ã¯ã¢ã Japan
- BlootsGeorgia
- æ ªåŒäŒç€ŸNIJINJapan
- TUSéœåžéçºæ ªåŒäŒç€ŸJapan
- Green PMU Semi Private LimitedIndia
- æ ªåŒäŒç€ŸãšãŒã¹ã¯ã³Japan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€Ÿæ³ã²äººJapan
- æ ªåŒäŒç€ŸGIGABANKJapan
- GraphitizeGeorgia
- My Own Shoes Co. LtdKorea
Each semi-finalist advances to the closed pitch round (second screening), held through September 18, 2026. Finalists will be announced on September 24, 2026. The order shown does not indicate ranking.
â Sponsors
Sponsors
Supported by 33 companies and organizations.
Special Sponsors â Special Partners
General Sponsors â Partners
â Entry
Stay updated
Get news on the finalist announcement, the open pitch round, and the award ceremony via our newsletter.
































