Sakai City Announces Nationwide Call for Startups to Conduct Proof-of-Concept Projects
Key facts
- Sakai City Announces Nationwide Call for Startups to Conduct Proof-of-Concept Projects
- Sakai City is inviting startups from across Japan to submit business ideas aimed at solving social issues and fostering innovation within the city. Selected startups will receive support through access to testing fields in areas like Nakamozu, and funding to implement their projects.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 29, 2026
Direct answer
Sakai City is inviting startups from across Japan to submit business ideas aimed at solving social issues and fostering innovation within the city. Selected startups will receive support through access to testing fields in areas like Nakamozu, and funding to implement their projects.
- Citation
- Sakai City Announces Nationwide Call for Startups to Conduct Proof-of-Concept Projects (May 29, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 29, 2026
Sakai City is inviting startups from across Japan to submit business ideas aimed at solving social issues and fostering innovation within the city. Selected startups will receive support through access to testing fields in areas like Nakamozu, and funding to implement their projects.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 31, 2026 at 01:17 (27h 17m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 31, 2026 at 01:19 (1 min after Collected)
Sakai City is currently accepting new business ideas from startups both within and outside the city that contribute to solving local social issues and generating innovation. Selected companies will be supported through the provision of testing fields within Sakai, including the Nakamozu area, and financial support for their proof-of-concept activities.
1. Themes
Based on the "Sakai City Basic Plan 2030," projects must meet one of the following:
- Initiatives contributing to solving social issues or improving the quality of life for Sakai residents.
- Initiatives related to the themes or legacy of the Osaka-Kansai Expo: "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."
2. Eligibility
- Private companies aiming to challenge innovative business models, provide new social value, and grow through proof-of-concept projects in Sakai.
- Includes both new startups and second-stage startups.
- Large corporations are excluded.
- Residency in Sakai is not required.
3. Support Provided
(1) Various Support Services
- Provision of testing fields (public facilities, partner company facilities, etc.)
- Matching with local private businesses necessary for project implementation.
- Provision of administrative challenges (introduction to Sakai departments, etc.)
- PR support for the proof-of-concept project.
(2) Grant Funding
- Subsidy Rate: Up to 50%
- Maximum Grant: 1 million yen
- Eligible Period: From grant approval date to March 31, 2026.
- Eligible Expenses: Costs related to the project, such as facility fees and prototype production.
4. Examples of Testing Fields
Sakai-related facilities (Sakai City Museum, Sakai Denshokan, sports facilities, etc.), elderly welfare facilities, local manufacturing businesses, coastal businesses, child care facilities, etc.
5. Application
Apply by 5:00 PM on June 30, 2026, via the application form on the S-Cube website (https://www.s-cube.biz/roundtable).
6. Previous Results
Available at: https://www.s-cube.biz/roundtable/result
7. Related Events
- Sakai City Grant Explanation Meeting @WeWork Shiroyama Trust Tower (June 4, 2026)
- Municipal Reverse Pitch @LiSH (June 5, 2026)
- Proof-of-Concept Project Explanation & Networking @QUINTBRIDGE (June 15, 2026)
1. Themes
Based on the "Sakai City Basic Plan 2030," projects must meet one of the following:
- Initiatives contributing to solving social issues or improving the quality of life for Sakai residents.
- Initiatives related to the themes or legacy of the Osaka-Kansai Expo: "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."
2. Eligibility
- Private companies aiming to challenge innovative business models, provide new social value, and grow through proof-of-concept projects in Sakai.
- Includes both new startups and second-stage startups.
- Large corporations are excluded.
- Residency in Sakai is not required.
3. Support Provided
(1) Various Support Services
- Provision of testing fields (public facilities, partner company facilities, etc.)
- Matching with local private businesses necessary for project implementation.
- Provision of administrative challenges (introduction to Sakai departments, etc.)
- PR support for the proof-of-concept project.
(2) Grant Funding
- Subsidy Rate: Up to 50%
- Maximum Grant: 1 million yen
- Eligible Period: From grant approval date to March 31, 2026.
- Eligible Expenses: Costs related to the project, such as facility fees and prototype production.
4. Examples of Testing Fields
Sakai-related facilities (Sakai City Museum, Sakai Denshokan, sports facilities, etc.), elderly welfare facilities, local manufacturing businesses, coastal businesses, child care facilities, etc.
5. Application
Apply by 5:00 PM on June 30, 2026, via the application form on the S-Cube website (https://www.s-cube.biz/roundtable).
6. Previous Results
Available at: https://www.s-cube.biz/roundtable/result
7. Related Events
- Sakai City Grant Explanation Meeting @WeWork Shiroyama Trust Tower (June 4, 2026)
- Municipal Reverse Pitch @LiSH (June 5, 2026)
- Proof-of-Concept Project Explanation & Networking @QUINTBRIDGE (June 15, 2026)
FAQ
堺市のスタートアップ実証事業の支援内容は？
実証フィールド（公共施設や協力企業施設）の提供、民間事業者とのマッチング、行政課題の提供、PR支援、および最大100万円（補助率2分の1以内）の補助金が支援されます。
応募対象者は誰ですか？
堺市内で新たなビジネスアイデアの実証に取り組む民間事業者等です。創業だけでなく第二創業も含まれますが、大企業は除外されます。堺市内に事業拠点がなくても応募可能です。
応募の締切はいつですか？
令和8年6月30日（火）午後5時までに、S-Cubeホームページ内の申込みフォームから応募する必要があります。
どのようなテーマが募集されていますか？
堺市基本計画2030に基づき、社会課題の解決や市民生活の向上に資するもの、または大阪・関西万博のテーマやレガシーに関連する取組が募集されています。
実証フィールドにはどのような場所がありますか？
堺市博物館、堺伝匠館、スポーツ施設等の関連施設に加え、市内高齢者福祉施設、製造関連事業者、臨海部事業者、保育施設などがフィールドとなります。