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APPLY
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SELECTION PROCESS
 
We are now accepting nominations for ideas and technologies with the potential to UPDATE the Earth.
 
We are now accepting nominations for ideas and technologies with the potential to UPDATE the Earth.
NIPPON INNOVATION AWARD
Unique ideas that could have a significant impact on society, such as in healthcare, the environment, addressing global challenges, or frontier technologies.
Innovative technologies developed by yourself or your organization.
Global challenges you have identified and the solutions to address them.

APPLY
募集対象
We welcome nominations of individuals or groups of entrepreneurs (regardless of age or position) with innovative ideas or technologies from innovation platforms collaborating with or planning to collaborate with UPDATE EARTH. These platforms include business contests, acceleration programs, incubation facilities, municipalities, and educational institutions.
※ Nominee confidentiality: The recommender’s information will not be disclosed to the nominee.
※ Selection process: During the selection process, the UPDATE EARTH Competition Secretariat will contact nominees directly.
 
APPLICATION METHOD
推薦方法
Please follow the steps below to submit your nomination
1
Apply to an UPDATE EARTH partner innovation platform.
※ Contact the UPDATE EARTH Competition Secretariat to register.
※ Innovation platforms include business contests, acceleration programs, incubation facilities, municipalities, and educational institutions.
※ Partnering with UPDATE EARTH creates mutual benefits, such as increased recognition for both parties.
2
Nominate entrepreneurial ideas or technologies for the NIPPON INNOVATION AWARD.
※ Submit your nomination via the official Nomination Application Form on the website or the nomination sheet provided separately to partner organizations.
※ Ensure you have obtained prior consent from the nominee before submitting the recommendation. During the selection process, the UPDATE EARTH Competition Secretariat will directly contact the nominee.
※　Ideas and technologies will undergo evaluation after nomination. Entrepreneurs will have the chance to win awards, including the Grand Prize of 10 million yen, and be recognized at an official event.
3
Along with the basic information of both the recommender and the nominee, please provide the following details through the application form:

Proposal Title (Required)

Limit of 50 characters.

Proposal Summary (Required)

Limit of 600 characters.

Additional Materials (Optional)

You may submit videos, documents, or other materials. File size limit: 5MB.

If nominating an innovation supporter or organization
Please fill in the relevant sections within the same application form (optional).

We are also accepting nominations for supporters alongside project applications.

Eligibility

Individuals or organizations that support innovators.

We welcome nominations of supporters contributing to the UPDATE of the Earth by assisting innovators. This includes business contests, acceleration programs, incubation facilities, municipalities, and educational institutions. Through this project, we aim to build a robust network by collaborating with various players in the innovation ecosystem. Together, we will create an innovation platform to discover, nurture, and foster the growth of entrepreneurs and startups driving the Earth's UPDATE.

Awards

Recipients will receive a trophy and other recognition.

SCHEDULE
スケジュール
Application Period
November 1, 2024 (Friday) – January 24, 2025 (Friday)
6:00 PM (JST)  Deadline
Nomination Results Announcement
Scheduled for early February 2025
Award Winners Announcement & Ceremony
March 15, 2025 (Saturday)
※ Nomination results will be published on the website and communicated individually to the nominees.
※ Please note that the schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
※ Additional interviews or meetings may be conducted as necessary.
PRIZE
受賞特典
 
NIPPON INNOVATION AWARD Grand Prize
Prize: 10 Million Yen
 
 
NIPPON INNOVATION AWARD
Grand Prize
 
賞 金
1,000 万 円
Grand Prize
賞金1,000万円ほか
Excellence Award
Prize of 500,000 yen and other benefits  
Other Awards
Partner and corporate awards, with prizes varying by category.  
SCREENING FLOW
審査フロー

Judging Process

Evaluation through document review, interviews, and other assessments.

Evaluation Criteria

Quality of the challenge, originality of the approach, feasibility, and other factors.

Judges

The evaluation will be conducted by the organizing committee, membership companies of UPDATE EARTH, and external experts designated by the organizing committee.

面談審査期間

2025年1月上旬 〜 2月中旬 予定

面談審査期間

2025年1月上旬 〜 2月中旬 予定

面談審査期間

2025年1月上旬 〜 2月中旬 予定

面談審査期間

2025年1月上旬 〜 2月中旬 予定

SELECTION PROCESS
  • After confirming the nomination requirements and submitted materials by the organizing committee, the competition will be judged according to criteria separately published by the membership companies of UPDATE EARTH and other evaluators appointed by the organizing committee.
  • The nomination results will be published on the website, and nominees will be contacted individually.
  • No specific communication will be made with those who are not nominated. Additionally, any information related to the selection process will not be disclosed under any circumstances.