Small investors can change the future of water resources
NPO ARUN Seed has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support social entrepreneurs selected as finalists in the international business competition 'CSI Challenge 7'.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 11:31
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【NPO ARUN Seed launched crowdfunding on May 16】
NPO ARUN Seed launched a crowdfunding campaign on May 16, 2026, to conduct impact investments in social entrepreneurs selected through the international business competition 'CSI Challenge 7 (Cloud Social Investment Challenge).' The target amount is 8 million yen.
The CSI Challenge 7 received over 130 applications from Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Finalists have been selected following the primary and secondary screenings.
【ARUN has been engaged in impact investment since 2009】
Since its founding in 2009, ARUN has focused on providing investments and ongoing support to seed-stage social entrepreneurs who struggle to raise capital. It has implemented impact investments in 12 companies in countries such as India, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Additionally, it continuously organizes the 'CSI Challenge,' a business competition for discovering social entrepreneurs themed around the coexistence of humanity and nature and the correction of poverty and inequality. This marks the 7th edition. The final judging will be held publicly on May 26, 2026, where the grand prize, excellence award, Deloitte award, and young generation award will be determined by external experts.
【Why conduct crowdfunding and impact investment?】
We believe that what is necessary for sustainable development, where everyone can live happily, is the 'establishment of a mechanism where people can challenge themselves.' By supporting and nurturing entrepreneurs tackling social issues through investment rather than donations, we hope to introduce global entrepreneurs to people in Japan and turn intentional money into hope for the future. This is why we launched this crowdfunding project.
【Why choose water as the theme?】
We designated the theme for CSI Challenge 7 as 'New Abundance Created by Nature's Regeneration: Passing Water's Blessings to the Next Generation.' Water constitutes our bodies, nurtures food, supports industry, and connects cultures and communities. However, issues such as water scarcity, pollution, flooding, and ecological destruction are worsening worldwide, raising concerns about whether the water resources we have taken for granted will exist in the same way 10 years from now.
The selected finalists include:
- Entrepreneurs developing and practicing new farming methods to enrich soil and reduce water consumption.
- Entrepreneurs developing and promoting irrigation systems usable by small-scale farmers.
- Entrepreneurs protecting traditional yak grazing and maintaining vegetation in water source areas.
- Entrepreneurs switching fishing boat engines to motors to move away from diesel and improve small-scale fishermen's incomes.
- Entrepreneurs generating detergents from forest-derived organic waste to improve small farmers' incomes and environmental awareness.
- Entrepreneurs creating water purification facilities from discarded natural materials and working to spread them to poor households.
【Supporters are small investors】
Funds raised through this crowdfunding will be utilized for this project, including impact investment and ongoing support for companies selected through CSI Challenge 7.
Furthermore, supporters will be offered opportunities to engage with the philosophy and practical knowledge cultivated by ARUN Seed, such as consultation sessions with ARUN Seed Representative Satoko Kono and online reporting sessions by the winning companies.
【Crowdfunding Overview】
- Start Date: May 16, 2026
- End Date: June 21, 2026
- Target Amount: 8 million yen
- Platform: READYFOR CSI Challenge 7 Crowdfunding
NPO ARUN Seed launched a crowdfunding campaign on May 16, 2026, to conduct impact investments in social entrepreneurs selected through the international business competition 'CSI Challenge 7 (Cloud Social Investment Challenge).' The target amount is 8 million yen.
The CSI Challenge 7 received over 130 applications from Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Finalists have been selected following the primary and secondary screenings.
【ARUN has been engaged in impact investment since 2009】
Since its founding in 2009, ARUN has focused on providing investments and ongoing support to seed-stage social entrepreneurs who struggle to raise capital. It has implemented impact investments in 12 companies in countries such as India, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Additionally, it continuously organizes the 'CSI Challenge,' a business competition for discovering social entrepreneurs themed around the coexistence of humanity and nature and the correction of poverty and inequality. This marks the 7th edition. The final judging will be held publicly on May 26, 2026, where the grand prize, excellence award, Deloitte award, and young generation award will be determined by external experts.
【Why conduct crowdfunding and impact investment?】
We believe that what is necessary for sustainable development, where everyone can live happily, is the 'establishment of a mechanism where people can challenge themselves.' By supporting and nurturing entrepreneurs tackling social issues through investment rather than donations, we hope to introduce global entrepreneurs to people in Japan and turn intentional money into hope for the future. This is why we launched this crowdfunding project.
【Why choose water as the theme?】
We designated the theme for CSI Challenge 7 as 'New Abundance Created by Nature's Regeneration: Passing Water's Blessings to the Next Generation.' Water constitutes our bodies, nurtures food, supports industry, and connects cultures and communities. However, issues such as water scarcity, pollution, flooding, and ecological destruction are worsening worldwide, raising concerns about whether the water resources we have taken for granted will exist in the same way 10 years from now.
The selected finalists include:
- Entrepreneurs developing and practicing new farming methods to enrich soil and reduce water consumption.
- Entrepreneurs developing and promoting irrigation systems usable by small-scale farmers.
- Entrepreneurs protecting traditional yak grazing and maintaining vegetation in water source areas.
- Entrepreneurs switching fishing boat engines to motors to move away from diesel and improve small-scale fishermen's incomes.
- Entrepreneurs generating detergents from forest-derived organic waste to improve small farmers' incomes and environmental awareness.
- Entrepreneurs creating water purification facilities from discarded natural materials and working to spread them to poor households.
【Supporters are small investors】
Funds raised through this crowdfunding will be utilized for this project, including impact investment and ongoing support for companies selected through CSI Challenge 7.
Furthermore, supporters will be offered opportunities to engage with the philosophy and practical knowledge cultivated by ARUN Seed, such as consultation sessions with ARUN Seed Representative Satoko Kono and online reporting sessions by the winning companies.
【Crowdfunding Overview】
- Start Date: May 16, 2026
- End Date: June 21, 2026
- Target Amount: 8 million yen
- Platform: READYFOR CSI Challenge 7 Crowdfunding
FAQ
ARUN Seedの今回のクラウドファンディングの目的は何ですか？
国際ビジネスコンペティション「CSIチャレンジ7」で選出された、水資源の課題解決に挑む社会起業家への社会的投資および伴走支援の資金調達です。
クラウドファンディングの目標金額と期間はいつまでですか？
目標金額は800万円で、2026年5月16日から6月21日まで実施されます。
CSIチャレンジ7のテーマは何ですか？
「自然の再生が創る新しい豊かさー次世代へ水の恵みを引き継ぐ」をテーマにしています。
支援者にはどのようなリターンが用意されていますか？
ARUN Seed代表・功能聡子による相談会や、優勝企業によるオンライン報告会などがリターンとして用意されています。
ARUN Seedはどのような団体ですか？
社会起業家への社会的投資と伴走支援を通じて、社会課題の解決に取り組むNPO法人です。