Okinawa Prefecture × eiicon × Ryukyu Mirai: 'Boost Up OKINAWA 2026' - 4th Term of Support Program for Startups (Corporate/Individual) Aiming for PoC/Commercialization in Okinawa Kicks Off! Applications Now Open

eiicon Inc. (Headquarters: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Ayuko Nakamura; hereinafter "eiicon"), which operates "AUBA," Japan's largest open innovation platform, announced on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the launch of the 'Boost Up OKINAWA 2026' startup support program (operated by eiicon, hereinafter "this program"), hosted by Okinawa Prefecture to accelerate business and services in Okinawa. Concurrently, applications have opened for startups (corporate/individual) from within and outside the prefecture who wish to participate in this program and aim for entrepreneurship, PoC, and commercialization in Okinawa.

https://eiicon.net/about/boostup-okinawa2026

This marks the fourth consecutive year since fiscal year 2023 that eiicon, with its two bases in Okinawa, has been entrusted with the operation of Okinawa Prefecture's "Startup Acceleration Project." Following last year, Ryukyu Mirai Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture; Representative Director: Hikaru Nonaka; hereinafter "Ryukyu Mirai") will support this project undertaken by companies within Okinawa Prefecture, alongside eiicon.

Okinawa Prefecture × eiicon × Ryukyu Mirai 'Boost Up OKINAWA 2026'

Okinawa Prefecture × eiicon × Ryukyu Mirai 'Boost Up OKINAWA 2026'

'Boost Up OKINAWA' broadly recruits startups aiming for the next stage of growth through demonstration and commercialization, leveraging Okinawa's unique characteristics, targeting the following:

・Local startups (free theme)

・National startups (tourism / healthcare / energy / circular economy)

We welcome entries from across the country, including those who wish to "conduct demonstrations in Okinawa and scale their business" or "challenge service demonstrations with the cooperation of the prefecture, secretariat, and experts."

□ Benefits of being selected for 'Boost Up OKINAWA 2026'

Seminars to accelerate understanding of Okinawa and business growth

In addition to common lectures to deepen understanding of fundraising and the Okinawa market, small-group seminars will be held tailored to each company's challenges, such as organizational strategy and business development.

Network to accelerate demonstration and commercialization in Okinawa

Okinawa Prefecture, the secretariat (eiicon/Ryukyu Mirai), and Okinawa's partner organizations will support startups from service demonstration to implementation, according to each company's situation and challenges.

*The kickoff upon support confirmation will be co-hosted at the global event "KOZAROCKS 2026"!

KOZAROCKS 2026 official website https://kozarocks2026.koza.rocks/

Business growth support by leading mentors

Mentors with a proven track record in areas such as business development, fundraising, and organizational building will be assigned according to each company's phase, providing mentoring and advice.

Business promotion support by the secretariat

To promote the project, secretariat mentors will provide support from milestone design for product verification based on market-in thinking to hands-on support.

□ Recruitment areas for participants

We are recruiting startups that aim to develop new industries by leveraging Okinawa's historical and cultural characteristics as a region where startups continue to grow, and by solving challenges unique to island regions.

*Please be sure to check the official page for application guidelines, participation conditions, schedule, etc., when applying.

https://eiicon.net/about/boostup-okinawa2026

● National startup (corporate/individual) recruitment areas *Expected to support 5-6 entities

① Tourism

Amidst overtourism due to concentrated periods increasing the burden on the region, we aim to build a new tourism model that balances "sustainable tourism" and "high-value-added experiences." We seek to achieve tourism where both travelers and the region prosper through demand dispersion, utilization of regional resources, and enhancement of experiences through digital technology.

② Healthcare

Okinawa faces challenges such as an aging population, an increase in lifestyle-related diseases, and uneven distribution of medical and nursing care resources on remote islands. We aim to build a model that balances solving regional health issues and promoting industry through the integration of prevention and care led by residents and companies, and the creation of new healthcare industries utilizing biological resources and advanced technology.

③ Energy

Okinawa relies heavily on fossil fuels from outside the prefecture for much of its energy, posing challenges such as price fluctuations and power outage risks during disasters. We aim to realize a new model that overcomes grid constraints for renewable energy with technology, balancing local energy production and consumption with self-sufficiency during disasters.

④ Circular Economy

Due to the expansion of tourism and construction demand, securing resources and waste treatment are critical issues affecting Okinawa's sustainability. We aim to build an autonomous cycle that transforms waste into resources, utilizing recycling technology.