Aichi Prefecture Launches Startup Applications for 'AICHI NEXT UNICORN LEAGUE' Season 7, Featuring a 10M Yen Prize Pool for 'Sports Innovation'

eiicon Inc. (Headquarters: Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Ayuko Nakamura) announced that it has been commissioned to operate the 2026 'AICHI NEXT UNICORN LEAGUE,' an initiative by Aichi Prefecture designed to support the creation of next-generation unicorns. This marks the third consecutive year eiicon has been entrusted with this operation. Applications have now opened for 'Season 7,' the first iteration of this fiscal year and the seventh overall. The 'AICHI NEXT UNICORN LEAGUE' is a business plan contest offering essential funding and hands-on support for high-growth startups aiming to implement and commercialize their services or products within Aichi Prefecture. Leveraging its expertise and network cultivated through nationwide open innovation support, eiicon aims to foster the creation of next-generation unicorns and strengthen the startup ecosystem in Aichi. ■ 'AICHI NEXT UNICORN LEAGUE' Season 7 Overview □ Theme: 'Sports Innovation' Viewing the opening of the world-class 'IG Arena' in July 2025 and the upcoming Asian Games and Asian Para Games in September and October of this year as opportunities to drive further innovation, Season 7 has set its theme as 'Sports Innovation.' □ Target Areas - Sports x Technology (Data analysis, AI/IoT, VR/AR, etc.) - Sports x Healthcare (Health promotion, medical/nursing care, food, etc.) - Sports x Social (Regional revitalization, tourism, fan engagement, etc.) □ Application Requirements Applicants must meet all the following conditions: - Be a startup established or having undergone business succession within approximately 10 years. - Possess a specific service/product and aim to implement/commercialize it within Aichi Prefecture. - Be a STATION Ai office member at the time of application, or express the intent to become one if awarded a prize. * Receiving the prize money is contingent upon becoming a STATION Ai office member. * A preferred office membership plan is not guaranteed. - Have not received prize money in Seasons 1 through 6 of this program. □ Application Period May 19, 2026 (Tuesday) to June 15, 2026 (Monday) 23:59 JST. □ How to Apply Submit the required information via the application form available on the program's official website. □ Program Information Session An online video detailing the program will be available. Interested parties can fill out a designated form to automatically receive a viewing URL via email from Peatix. □ Final Pitch Contest Date: July 28, 2026 (Tuesday) 13:30 - 17:30 (Scheduled) Venue: STATION Ai (1-2-32 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi), 1st Floor Event Space Capacity: 150 in-person, 500 online (first-come, first-served basis) □ Prize Money The total prize pool for each edition is 10 million yen, making it one of the largest for a domestic business plan contest. 1st Place: 5 million yen / 2nd Place: 3 million yen / 3rd Place: 2 million yen * Prize money is intended to fund activities geared toward implementation and commercialization within the prefecture. □ Program Flow 1. Initial Screening (Document Review): Approximately 10 startups will be selected to advance to the final pitch contest. 2. Pitch Brush-up: Finalists will receive support to refine their pitch content. 3. Final Pitch Contest: Winning startups will be selected. 4. Matching Support: Winners will receive assistance in matching with relevant stakeholders in Aichi Prefecture to accelerate their business development.