"Challenge the World" and Thrive in Sabae! Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, Holds a Business Contest with up to 1 Million Yen in Prize Money, with Fukui Prefecture's Yorozu Support Center Providing Thorough Support to Enhance "Earning Power."

Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture (Mayor: Katsuhisa Sasaki), has launched a call for applications for the "2026 Megane no Machi Sabae Future Business Challenge Project" to create next-generation businesses that leverage the region's strengths. This project is not merely an idea contest. Experts from the "Fukui Prefecture Yorozu Support Center," operated by the Fukui Industrial Support Center, will fully participate as a cooperating institution. To help winners achieve a state where they can "challenge, earn, and create jobs with their own business," professionals will thoroughly refine their business plans from creation to implementation. ■ Project Features: Transforming Sabae's "Manufacturing DNA" into a Sustainable Business Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, known as a city of manufacturing represented by eyeglasses, textiles, and lacquerware, has continued to evolve with the times. The objective of this project is to socially implement ideas as "profitable, sustainable businesses" while inheriting this DNA. We welcome a wide range of applications, from the development of existing businesses to challenges in new fields, and even startups by students. Professional Mentoring Support from the "Fukui Prefecture Yorozu Support Center" One of the features of this project is the support from the "Fukui Prefecture Yorozu Support Center," a free public consultation office for business management established by the national government. For the five finalist teams that pass the second screening, coordinators from the Yorozu Support Center will provide one-on-one mentoring to polish their business plans. By carefully verifying marketability and profitability with experts, we ensure growth into a "highly sustainable business" rather than a temporary one. World-Class "Communication Skills" Training by a Super-Luxurious Lecturer "Presentation skills" that attract investors and customers are essential for commercialization. In this project, Mr. Kamari Maeda, a leading authority on SoftBank-style presentation techniques and the representative director of the Presentation Association, will take the stage as a lecturer. This provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from world-class know-how that has won immediate approval from Mr. Masayoshi Son. Mr. Kamari Maeda ■ Business Support Funds Teams that win the screening will receive support funds to accelerate their business launch. Grand Prize (1 team): 1 million yen (for the most outstanding business combining originality and business potential) Excellence Award (2 teams): 300,000 yen (for businesses with high feasibility and development potential) ■ Eligible Applicants • Small and medium-sized enterprises with their main office in Sabae City, or groups of two or more SMEs in the city • Individuals or groups planning to start a business in Sabae City within one year ※ Student applications are also welcome. ■ Screening and Schedule • Application Deadline: Must arrive by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 15, Reiwa 8 • First Screening (Document) Result Notification: Late June, Reiwa 8 • Presentation Lecture (Mr. Kamari Maeda): Early to late July • Brush-up Period (Yorozu Support Center): Late July to early August • Second Screening (Online): Wednesday, July 15, Reiwa 8 • Final Screening (In-person): Sunday, August 23, Reiwa 8 ■ For Project Details and Application Please apply after confirming the details on the 2026 Megane no Machi Sabae Future Business Challenge Project (Sabae City Official Website). ■ Links Related to This Project • 2026 Megane no Machi Sabae Future Business Challenge Project (Sabae City Official Website) • Instagram: Megane no Machi Sabae Future Business Challenge • Facebook: Sabae Future Biz-Cha • X: Megane no Machi Sabae Future Business Challenge Cooperating Partner: Fukui Prefecture Yorozu Support Center Planned Supporters (in no particular order): Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (Hokuriku Head Office), Fukui Prefecture, Fukui Industrial Support Center, Fukui Invention Association, Japan Finance Corporation, Fukui Bank, Ltd., Hokuriku Bank, Ltd., Fukui Shinkin Bank, Sabae Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fukui Shimbun, Inc., Fukui Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Fukui Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Fukui FM Broadcasting Inc., Koshino-miyako Network Co., Ltd., NPO Tannan Yume Radio, University of Fukui, Fukui Prefectural University, Fukui University of Technology, National Institute of Technology, Fukui College, Jin-ai University, Jin-ai Women's Junior College Contact Information: Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, Industrial Promotion Division, Industrial Promotion Group Address: 3F Annex, 13-1 Nishiyama-cho, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture 916-8666 TEL: 0778-53-2229 / 0778-53-2231