Hamamatsu Iwata Shinkin Bank, a partner of UPDATE EARTH, is supporting the creation of new businesses and startups in the local community through its business plan contest, FUSE-ON CHALLENGE 2024.

The contest welcomes entries from individuals, corporations, and students, primarily from the western Shizuoka Prefecture region where the bank is based. Finalists have already been selected after passing the secondary screening round. They are now receiving tailored mentoring in areas such as finance, tax, legal, and labor affairs.

The final screening will take place in March 2025 at FUSE, the bank’s innovation hub. In a public judging format, the best business plan will be awarded a grand prize of ¥1,000,000. Additionally, all finalists will receive one year of ongoing support from dedicated Hamamatsu Iwata Shinkin Bank staff after the final screening.

Hamamatsu City is known as one of Japan's leading manufacturing hubs. Expectations are high for innovative business plans that can leverage synergies with the city’s existing technologies.

For contest details, please refer to the following:

https://hamamatsu-iwata.jp/topics/docs/20240617_fuse-on_challenge_youkou.pdf

Reference:

Organization Name: Hamamatsu Iwata Shinkin Bank

Program Name: FUSE-ON CHALLENGE 2024