Hero Egg Supports Next-Gen Challenges as Osaka Venue for 'SIH International Business Creation Contest 2026'

Meta Heroes Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; CEO: Kazutoshi Matsuishi) announced that its subsidiary, HeroEgg Co., Ltd. (CEO: Nicole Kondo), provided its next-generation AI/XR educational facility, 'Hero Egg,' as the Osaka venue for the 'SIH International Business Creation Contest 2026' Asia-Pacific (Japan) qualifiers, held on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The initiative aimed to create opportunities for next-generation entrepreneurs, creators, and public innovation talent.

At Hero Egg, children and young people engaged with business ideas and projects focused on social issues, regional revitalization, education, disaster prevention, healthcare, and tourism, fostering their ability to 'ask questions and create value.'

■ About the 'SIH International Business Creation Contest 2026'
SIH (SDGs Innovation HUB) promotes social problem-solving and public innovation through industry-government-academia-civil society collaboration under the theme of 'Next-Gen/AI-enhanced town, people, work, and nation building.' The contest is a core program where diverse challengers, including students, young entrepreneurs, and professionals, present AI-driven solutions.

The contest focuses on four domains: Business, Public, Science, and Art. The Japan qualifiers on May 31, 2026, connected multiple locations nationwide, with Hero Egg serving as the Osaka hub.

■ Hero Egg as a 'Place for Next-Gen Challenges'
Hero Egg provided a hybrid space for participants to learn and discuss social innovation. Before the presentations, CEO Nicole Kondo introduced the facility's concept, its AI/XR/Metaverse educational practices, and the activities of 'EGG JAM,' a community for young engineers and creators.

Kondo emphasized the goal of creating a cycle where children not only learn cutting-edge technology but also 'ask questions, take on challenges, and inspire the next challenger.' EGG JAM member Momoka Matsuda presented her project, 'SMILEX: Don't Stop Learning,' proposing an AI-driven inquiry-based online learning service for truant children. Her project won 2nd place in the Public category, symbolizing the culture of proactive challenge fostered at Hero Egg.

■ Future Vision
Hero Egg, located in Namba Parks, Osaka, continues to provide practical opportunities for children and youth to go beyond 'learning' to 'challenging.' By fostering a circular education model where experiences are passed to the next generation, the company aims to build an ecosystem for new education and co-creation in the AI era.