# MakiChalle — Makinohara City Challenge Business Contest

> MakiChalle (まきチャレ) is a regional open innovation business contest organized by Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It invites startups from Japan and around the world to propose business plans that leverage the city's regional resources — agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, and transportation — to create new businesses through collaboration with local companies.

---

## About

### Overview

- **Official Name (JA):** 牧之原市チャレンジビジネスコンテスト（まきチャレ）
- **Official Name (EN):** Makinohara City Challenge Business Contest (MakiChalle)
- **Website:** https://www.makichalle.jp
- **Current Edition:** MakiChalle 2026 (5th edition)
- **Format:** Online pitch event (finalists may attend on-site)
- **Entry Fee:** Free (no cost from entry through the final round)

### Organization

- **Organized by:** Makinohara City (牧之原市)
- **Planned by:** Makinohara City Chamber of Commerce (牧之原市商工会)
- **Operations:** CFS Partners, Inc. (株式会社CFSパートナーズ)
- **Supported by:** Shizuoka Prefecture, METI Kanto Bureau (経済産業省関東経済産業局)

### Mission

MakiChalle is an acceleration program aimed at regional open innovation. It invites business plans from startups across Japan and around the world that aim to grow their businesses alongside the community by leveraging Makinohara City's regional resources (industry and tourism). Plans must include collaboration proposals with existing local companies (including government). MakiChalle is not about the event itself — its purpose is to have startups actually collaborate with local businesses and develop their ventures after the event.

### Key Features

1. **Regional Open Innovation** — Business plans must include collaboration proposals with designated local sponsor companies. Plans that contribute to regional industry and tourism development through business growth are welcome.
2. **Global Scale** — 168 companies from 11 countries participated in 2025. Together with 31 sponsors including regional SMEs, the event has grown into an unprecedented global event from a regional city.
3. **Post-Event Support** — Meetings are held with nearly all finalists and semifinalists, with government officials and operating company attending collaboration candidate meetings. Over 30 companies received follow-up support in MakiChalle 2024.
4. **Makinohara Incubation Center (MIC)** — Opened September 2023. A shared office with built-in accounting firm functions offering free accounting/tax guidance, financial institution consultations, and expert advice. MakiChalle applicant companies receive a subsidy for part of the usage fees from Makinohara City (1/3 of fees, up to ¥100,000/year).

### Growth History

| Year | Edition | Entries | Overseas | Countries | Sponsors | Grand Prize |
|------|---------|---------|----------|-----------|----------|-------------|
| 2022 | 1st | 91 | 10 | 3 | 17 | — |
| 2023 | 2nd | 131 | 25 | 5 | 23 | — |
| 2024 | 3rd | 149 | 40 | 8 | 27 | ¥1,000,000 |
| 2025 | 4th | 168 | 73 | 11 | 31 | ¥2,000,000 |
| 2026 | 5th | — | — | — | — | TBD |

---

## How to Apply

### Entry Information for MakiChalle 2026

- **Entry Period:** June 1 (Mon) – July 17 (Fri), 2026, until 23:59 JST
- **Business Plan Submission Deadline:** August 3 (Mon), 2026, until 23:59 JST
- **Entry Form (Domestic/JA):** https://form.run/@makichalle2026-entry
- **Entry Form (International/EN):** https://form.run/@makichalle2026-entry-global
- **Eligibility:** No restrictions on nationality, location, or company stage. Overseas residents welcome. Online participation available.

### Entry Flow

1. **Register via the Entry Form** — Fill in required information and agree to terms.
2. **Receive Auto-Reply Email** — Instructions for Business Plan submission will be sent automatically.
3. **Submit Your Business Plan** — Following instructions from the secretariat, submit a business plan that includes a collaboration proposal with the region.

### Collaboration Plan Requirements

Business plans must include one of the following collaboration proposals:

1. A plan specifying one or more sponsoring companies with a collaboration proposal for those companies.
2. A plan specifying a particular industry sector in Makinohara City (e.g., tea farming, tea processing, fisheries, marine products, beverage manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, auto parts processing, food service, beauty services, IT, energy, other services) with a collaboration proposal for local businesses in that sector.
3. A plan proposing to utilize or collaborate with Makinohara City's tourism resources (tourist facilities, accommodations, restaurants, transportation, etc.).
4. A plan including proposals for Makinohara City's administrative policies.

### Judging Criteria

1. Affinity with regional industry/tourism and contribution to local economy/society
2. Business novelty (innovativeness) or competitive advantage
3. Market size and growth potential
4. Business model profitability and sustainability
5. Management team track record and skills
6. Anticipated business risks

### Screening Process

- **First Round:** Document screening to select ~20 semi-finalists
- **Second Round:** Online closed pitch review with judges
- **Third Round:** Open online pitch followed by judges' deliberation to determine award recipients

---

## Schedule

### MakiChalle 2026 Schedule

| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| June 1 (Mon) – July 17 (Fri) 23:59 JST | Entry Period |
| June 1 (Mon) – August 3 (Mon) 23:59 JST | Business Plan Submission Period |
| August 18 (Tue) | First Round Results (Semi-Finalist Announcement) |
| August 19 (Wed) – September 18 (Fri) | Closed Pitch Review Period (Second Round) |
| September 24 (Thu) | Finalist Announcement |
| October 1 (Thu) 15:00–18:00 JST | Open Pitch Review (Third Round) |
| October 20 (Tue) 16:00–18:00 JST | Awards Ceremony (Venue: Iira, Makinohara City) |

---

## Sponsors

### MakiChalle 2026 Sponsor Companies (28 companies)

#### Special Partners (特別協賛B — ¥500,000)
1. **水野建設工業株式会社 (Mizuno Construction)** — Construction & nuclear power plant maintenance, Makinohara City
2. **まきのはらインキュベーションセンター (MIC)** — Shared office & incubation center supporting startups in Makinohara
3. **東遠ガス熔材株式会社 (Toen Gas)** — Gas welding materials & energy, Yoshida-cho
4. **株式会社静岡銀行 (Shizuoka Bank)** — Regional banking (one of Japan's largest regional banks)
5. **一般社団法人静岡ベンチャースタートアップ協会 (SVSA)** — Shizuoka venture/startup ecosystem association

#### General Partners A (一般協賛A — ¥100,000)
6. **株式会社村上開明堂 (Murakami Kaimeido)** — Automotive mirror manufacturing
7. **株式会社マクニカ (Macnica)** — Semiconductor distribution & technology (5,261 employees)
8. **矢崎部品株式会社ものづくりセンター (Yazaki)** — Automotive parts manufacturing (218,566 employees globally)
9. **株式会社TOKAIホールディングス (TOKAI Holdings)** — Energy, telecom, cable TV, water delivery (capital ¥14B)
10. **社会保険労務士法人みとら経営 (Mitra)** — Social insurance & labor consultancy, Makinohara City
11. **株式会社エノテック (Enotec)** — Tip saw manufacturing equipment, Makinohara City
12. **株式会社笠原産業 (Kasahara Industry)** — Refrigerated/frozen logistics & warehousing, Makinohara City
13. **ハイナン農業協同組合 JAハイナン (JA Hainan)** — Agricultural cooperative, tea & farming support
14. **島田掛川信用金庫 (Shimada-Kakegawa Shinkin Bank)** — Regional credit union
15. **相良物産株式会社 (Sagara Bussan)** — Tea processing/sales, fertilizers, propane gas (est. 1715)

#### General Partners B (一般協賛B — ¥50,000)
16. **株式会社小糸製作所 榛原工場 (Koito Manufacturing, Haibara Plant)** — Automotive lighting (100+ years history)
17. **相良建設株式会社 (Sagara Construction)** — Civil engineering & exterior construction (75+ years)
18. **しずおか焼津信用金庫 (Shizuoka-Yaizu Shinkin Bank)** — Regional credit union
19. **株式会社鈴木土建 (Suzuki Doken)** — General construction (98 years)
20. **株式会社牧之原美容 (Makinohara Biyo)** — Beauty salon, visiting beauty services, hair removal & growth
21. **株式会社KTSホスピタリティ / さがら子生れ温泉会館 (Koumare Onsen)** — Hot spring resort facility
22. **株式会社加藤組 (Katogumi)** — Construction
23. **株式会社小栗農園 (Oguri Nouen)** — Tea farm
24. **株式会社高柳製茶 (Takayanagi Seicha)** — Tea processing
25. **株式会社木村組 (Kimura-Gumi)** — Construction (est. 1953)
26. **浜松いわた信用金庫 (Hamamatsu-Iwata Shinkin Bank)** — Regional credit union (1,624 employees)
27. **Surf Stadium Japan株式会社 (SSJ)** — Surf stadium operation
28. **司法書士法人つなぐ (Tsunagu)** — Judicial scrivener: inheritance, company formation, real estate registration

### Sponsorship Plans

| Tier | Price | Key Benefits |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Special Sponsor A | ¥1,000,000 | Named award (¥100,000), extra-large logo, dedicated page, access to all startup info, judge participation |
| Special Sponsor B | ¥500,000 | Named award (¥50,000), large logo, dedicated page, access to all startup info, judge participation |
| General Sponsor A | ¥100,000 | Medium logo, dedicated page |
| General Sponsor B | ¥50,000 | Small logo, dedicated page |

---

## Past Results

### Grand Prize Winners

| Year | Winner | Country | Business |
|------|--------|---------|----------|
| 2025 | roly-poly Organics | Japan (Shizuoka) | Circular fertilizer business using pill bugs |
| 2024 | Midwest Composites Sdn Bhd | Malaysia | Eco-friendly composite materials using waste tea trees |
| 2023 | ParaLux | Japan (Fukuoka) | Wedding business leveraging Makinohara's regional resources |
| 2022 | S.Lab | Ukraine | Sustainable packaging materials using tea trees and mycelium |

### MakiChalle 2025 Award Winners (168 entries from 11 countries: 95 domestic + 73 international)

| Award | Winner | Business |
|-------|--------|----------|
| Grand Prix (¥2,000,000) | roly-poly Organics | Sustainable circular fertilizer business created by pill bugs |
| Runner-up (¥300,000) | Nebraska Inc. | Opening the future of communities through automation |
| Mayor's Special Award (¥100,000) | glafit / Sun Reality | Updating Makinohara's transportation / Regional co-creation educational facility |
| Shizuoka Bank Award (¥100,000) | roly-poly Organics | Sustainable circular fertilizer business created by pill bugs |
| Audience Award (¥50,000) | Space Inc. | Next-generation BtoB wholesale starting from fresh produce |
| Daiwa House Award (¥100,000) | Space Inc. | Next-generation BtoB wholesale starting from fresh produce |
| Infic Award (¥50,000) | Caricon | Creating Makinohara's safety circulation project with 'toHANAS' |
| SVSA Award (¥50,000) | 株式会社dozo | A 300-year revolution in Shizuoka tea: DIY tea cocktails |
| MIC Award (¥50,000) | WAH Care | AI training program for early childhood development |
| General Sponsor Award (¥50,000) | KAMAMESHI / Zero G Tec | DX platform for manufacturing / Ergonomic product development |

### MakiChalle 2024 Award Winners (149 entries from 8 countries)

| Award | Winner | Business |
|-------|--------|----------|
| Grand Prix (¥1,000,000) | Midwest Composites | Woven and non-woven product commercialization using plant fibers |
| Runner-up (¥300,000) | 4KiZ | Safe SNS platform for children under 15 |
| Mayor's Special Award (¥100,000) | PLUXITY / Morgenrot | AI digital twin building management / Ultra-efficient data center |
| Shizuoka Bank Award (¥100,000) | 合同会社MIH | Regional revitalization through vacant house renovation |
| Daiwa House Award (¥100,000) | fabula | Business model utilizing Makinohara tea waste |
| ITO EN Award (¥50,000) | GENUV | AI-powered medical food for anti-aging |
| M-Square Lab Award (¥50,000) | Glaiven | Advancing agriculture using AI drones |
| SVSA Award (¥50,000) | Neuropilot | VR mental therapy stimulating the brain |
| MIC Award (¥50,000) | 善光総合研究所 | Care industry DX platform |
| Audience Award (¥50,000) | Dorami | Digital healthcare business |

### Collaboration Track Record (Post-Event Outcomes)

- **S.Lab (2022 Grand Prix, Ukraine):** Manufacturing sustainable packaging from local tea trees and mushroom mycelium. Preparing Japanese subsidiary, aiming for factory operation in the city.
- **ParaLux (2023 Grand Prix, Fukuoka):** Established "M-Weddings Inc." in Makinohara. Operates a wedding business leveraging the city's tourism and culinary resources.
- **Shincom Agritech (2023 M-Square Lab Award):** Converts abandoned tea gardens into lemon orchards. Over 40 farmers now cultivate the city's local brand "Surfing Lemon" (波乗りレモン).
- **GreatValue (2023 Semi-Finalist):** Operates the city's digital point service "MakiPay" (まきペイ). Established office in the city.
- **spread with (2023 Mayor's Special Award):** Established "Guruwan Inc." in the city. Developing pet tourism to make Makinohara "Japan's most pet-friendly city."
- **Midwest Composites (2024 Grand Prix, Malaysia):** Successfully prototyped automotive interior parts using waste tea trees at a local injection molding factory. Preparing Japanese subsidiary.
- **MIH (2024 Shizuoka Bank Award, Shizuoka):** Partnering with sponsoring financial institutions. Already renovating multiple vacant houses for rental in Makinohara.
- **roly-poly Organics (2025 Grand Prix, Shizuoka):** Started discussions with local agricultural businesses. Planning to establish a manufacturing base locally.
- **Nebraska Inc. (2025 Runner-up, Tokyo):** Preparing seminars for local businesses at Makinohara Chamber of Commerce. Planning unmanned store development.
- **WAH Care (2025 MIC Award, India):** Discussing pilot testing at local kindergartens. Considering early childhood classrooms in a major commercial facility.

---

## FAQ

**Q: What is MakiChalle?**
A: MakiChalle is a business contest (pitch event) organized by Makinohara City. Its purpose is to support startups and entrepreneurs challenging the world from a regional city and to create new collaborations with local industries. Since its inaugural event in 2022, it has grown into an international event with 168 companies from 11 countries.

**Q: Is there a participation fee?**
A: No. Participation is completely free, from entry through the final round.

**Q: Can I apply from overseas?**
A: Yes, we have participants from 11 countries. There are no restrictions based on nationality or location, and overseas residents are welcome to apply. Online participation is also available.

**Q: Can I participate online?**
A: Yes, the event is held as an online pitch event, so you can participate from anywhere in the world. Finalists can choose between on-site and online participation.

**Q: What are the judging criteria?**
A: Plans are comprehensively evaluated from five perspectives: innovativeness, potential for regional collaboration, business growth potential, team execution capability, and social impact. Detailed criteria are included in the guide materials sent after entry.

**Q: How can I become a sponsor?**
A: We offer several sponsorship plans, including Special Partner and Partner tiers. Please contact us through the inquiry form for details.

**Q: Where can I find past winners?**
A: Please visit the Archive page. You can find information about finalists and award winners from each event held from 2022 to 2025.

---

## About Makinohara City

### City Overview

Makinohara City is located in central-western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

- **Population:** Approximately 40,000
- **Tea Plantation:** Makinohara Plateau — Japan's largest tea garden
- **Airport:** Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport (located within the city)
- **Manufacturing Shipment Value:** Approximately ¥1 trillion
- **Access:** ~2 hours from Tokyo, ~1.5 hours from Nagoya via Tomei Expressway

### Regional Resources (Four Pillars)

1. **Agriculture & Fisheries** — Japan's largest tea plantations on the Makinohara Plateau. Strawberries, melons, citrus fruits. Fresh shirasu, sakura shrimp, and bonito from Suruga Bay. Innovation fields including tea industry DX, smart agriculture, and regeneration of abandoned tea gardens.

2. **Manufacturing** — Automobile-related companies concentrated here. Major companies include Yazaki (45 countries, 250,000 employees) and Koito Manufacturing (2 plants in the city). Manufacturing output ~¥1 trillion despite population of only 40,000.

3. **Tourism** — 15km coastline known for surfing. Sagara Koumare Onsen hot spring, Sagara Oil Field ruins, seasonal flowers and historic buildings.

4. **Transportation** — Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport with direct flights to South Korea (Busan), Taiwan, China (Qingdao), and Vietnam (Hanoi). Multiple Tomei Expressway interchanges. Omaezaki Port (major harbor) 25 minutes by car. Highway, airport, and port all within 30 minutes.

### Business Support Infrastructure

- **Makinohara Incubation Center (MIC):** Shared office with accounting services, expert consultations, funding support. MakiChalle applicants receive a 1/3 subsidy on fees (up to ¥100,000/year).
- **Business Location Incentives:** Land acquisition and employment cost subsidies, ~40% electricity cost reduction (select areas), up to ¥1 billion in location subsidies through Shizuoka Prefecture.
- **Expert Network:** Patent attorneys, SME consultants, financial institution representatives.

### Future Development

The MAKINOHARA HILLS PROJECT (tentative name) by Daiwa House Industry launched in 2026. A mixed-use development of approximately 171,000 m² near Sagara-Makinohara IC featuring commercial facilities, industrial/logistics centers, and residential areas.

---

## Contact

- **Email:** info@cfsp.co.jp
- **Secretariat:** CFS Partners, Inc. (株式会社CFSパートナーズ)
- **Contact Form:** https://www.makichalle.jp/en/contact

---

## Links

- [Homepage (EN)](https://www.makichalle.jp/en): Main landing page with overview, countdown, and latest news
- [Homepage (JA)](https://www.makichalle.jp/ja): Japanese version of the main page
- [About](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/about): Mission, history, organization, and key features
- [Entry](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/apply): Application guidelines, entry flow, judging criteria, and entry form
- [Schedule](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/schedule): MakiChalle 2026 timeline from entry to awards ceremony
- [Results](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/results): 2025 award winners and past results
- [Winners' Voices](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/voices): Interviews with past Grand Prix and award winners
- [Sponsors](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors): Sponsor company list, sponsorship plans, and collaboration track record
- [Why Makinohara](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/why-makinohara): Regional resources, city overview, business support infrastructure
- [FAQ](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/faq): Frequently asked questions about entry and participation
- [News](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/news): Latest announcements and updates
- [Judges](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/judges): Panel of judges for MakiChalle 2026
- [Startups](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/startups): Participating startups from past editions
- [Archive 2025](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/archive/2025): Full details of MakiChalle 2025 including finalists and schedule
- [Archive 2024](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/archive/2024): Full details of MakiChalle 2024
- [Contact](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/contact): Inquiry form and contact information
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/privacy): Privacy policy
- [Terms of Use](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/terms): Terms of service

### Sponsor Detail Pages
- [Mizuno Construction](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/mizuno-construction)
- [MIC (Incubation Center)](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/mic)
- [Toen Gas](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/toen-gas)
- [SVSA](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/svsa)
- [Macnica](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/macnica)
- [Yazaki](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/yazaki)
- [TOKAI Holdings](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/tokai)
- [Mitra](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/mitra)
- [Enotec](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/enotec)
- [Kasahara Industry](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/kasahara)
- [JA Hainan](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/ja-hainan)
- [Shimada-Kakegawa Shinkin Bank](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/shimada-kakegawa)
- [Sagara Bussan](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/sagara-bussan)
- [Koito Manufacturing](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/koito)
- [Sagara Construction](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/sagara-construction)
- [Shizuoka-Yaizu Shinkin Bank](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/shizuoka-yaizu)
- [Suzuki Doken](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/suzuki-doken)
- [Makinohara Biyo](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/makinohara-biyo)
- [Koumare Onsen](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/koumare-onsen)
- [Kimura-Gumi](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/kimura-gumi)
- [Hamamatsu-Iwata Shinkin Bank](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/hamamatsu-iwata)
- [Tsunagu](https://www.makichalle.jp/en/sponsors/tsunagu)

### Available Languages
- Japanese: https://www.makichalle.jp/ja
- English: https://www.makichalle.jp/en
- Korean: https://www.makichalle.jp/ko
- Hindi: https://www.makichalle.jp/hi