[20th Anniversary Event] Startup Audition in YOKOSUKA 2026 Opens for Applications

■ What is Startup Audition in YOKOSUKA?

Yokosuka City is holding its 20th anniversary commemorative event for the business contest that has been held since fiscal year 2007. This audition widely solicits business plans that carve out new business domains through creativity and ingenuity from within and outside Yokosuka City, and after screening and public announcement, provides accompanying support for business implementation. Upon the condition that the winning business plans are implemented, a maximum incentive of 2 million yen will be awarded. The cumulative number of applications to date is 289, and the number of applications reached 47 last fiscal year (2025), indicating growing attention.

Its greatest feature is that it is not merely a business idea contest but an audition that leads to the "actual implementation of new businesses." Winners receive not only incentives and special preferential rights but also a system that seriously supports commercialization, such as accompanying support from AlphaDrive, a company specializing in new business development.

■ Awards and Benefits

- Incentive of up to 2 million yen (awarded by Yokosuka City)

- Special prizes from sponsoring companies (cash prizes, special preferential treatment, etc.)

- NICT Award (opportunity to challenge "Kigyoka Tenpaku" - Entrepreneur Expo)

- Accompanying support from Yokosuka City (for three years, including the current fiscal year)

- Mentoring support from AlphaDrive

■ Features of This Year's Event – As the 20th Anniversary Competition

In this 20th year, the audition venue will be moved to Yokosuka Arts Theatre's "Bayside Pocket," and opportunities for interaction will be provided, inviting many people who have been involved so far, such as past award winners.

Furthermore, continuing from last year, it will be jointly held with the "KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM in YOKOSUKA," and in conjunction with the application for this audition, we will recruit co-creation partners who will work on solving regional issues in Yokosuka together with Keikyu Corporation.

KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM in YOKOSUKA

https://www.keikyu.co.jp/report/2026/report2026060901.html

■ 2026 Fiscal Year Schedule (Tentative)

Application Period: June 1 (Mon) - August 20 (Thu)

Finalist Announcement: September 25 (Fri)

Final Judging: October 23 (Fri) @ Yokosuka Arts Theatre Bayside Pocket

■ Online Information Session

An online information session will be held for those considering participation or wanting to know more details about this audition. Past award winners are scheduled to speak about how this audition helped promote their businesses. We will also clearly convey essential information for considering an application, such as an introduction to the jointly held "KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM in YOKOSUKA (hosted by Keikyu Corporation)"!

We welcome not only those preparing their applications but also those considering applying, and even those who are unsure about applying but are slightly interested! Please feel free to register.

Date & Time: July 3, 2026 (Fri) 18:00 - 19:00 (Connection starts at 17:45)

Format: ZOOM Webinar (Free, Pre-registration required)

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/GB6LZU4MP5ggTPNB8

*An archived video of the session will be available after the live broadcast.

■ Inquiries

Startup Audition Secretariat (AlphaDrive Inc.)

Mail: sua-yokosuka2026@alphadrive.co.jp

Phone: 090-4834-7154

Organizer: Yokosuka City

Co-organizers: Kanagawa Prefecture, Keikyu Corporation

Operator: AlphaDrive Inc.

■ About AlphaDrive REGION

AlphaDrive REGION operates in the field of regional revitalization and economic policy at AlphaDrive, working on corporate attraction, industrial promotion, and regional human resource development in collaboration with municipalities, mayors, council members, and local businesses. Beyond consulting, they have acted as an implementation entity operating businesses in regions across 26 prefectures. Through the "AlphaDrive Regional Economy Research Institute," which serves as a think tank, they conduct research on regional economic policies and propose policies, redefining regional economic policy in the AI era as "Regional AX." They also work on fostering AX architects in regions, supporting the ambitions of regional economies in the era of Regional Revitalization 2.0.

Details: https://region.alphadrive.co.jp/