[Heiwado] Ryukoku University, SoftBank, and Heiwado to Hold 'Smart Life Hackathon' - Envisioning Next-Generation Supermarkets with University Student Ideas
Heiwado will collaborate with Ryukoku University and SoftBank on a 'Smart Life Hackathon'. Utilizing data and student ideas, they aim to envision next-generation supermarkets and create new shopping experiences.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 15:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 16:43 (1h 11m after Collected)
Heiwado Co., Ltd. (Head office: Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture; Representative Director and CEO: Matsushi Hiramatsu; hereinafter "Heiwado") announces its participation in an industry-academia collaboration hackathon, which Ryukoku University and SoftBank Corp. (hereinafter "SoftBank") have been implementing since fiscal year 2024. This year, marking the third iteration, the theme will be "Smart Life," aiming to make daily life more convenient through the creation of new shopping experiences by leveraging data and other resources.
A hackathon is a portmanteau of "hack" (meaning to improve programming) and "marathon." It is an event where IT engineers form teams and intensively develop software, services, or products for a given theme within a set period, competing on the originality of their ideas and the excellence of their technology. Heiwado has engaged in various collaborations with Ryukoku University, which has its Seta Campus in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, including commercializing recipes using vegetables that support health through food, conceived by Ryukoku University students. Based on these past collaborations, Heiwado has decided to participate in the "Smart Life Hackathon."
In the "Smart Life Hackathon," Heiwado will provide its purchasing statistics data, among other information. Based on this data, participants will envision next-generation supermarkets. Heiwado employees will participate as mentors, supporting idea creation alongside 30 students from the Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology and the Faculty of Agriculture who attend the Seta Campus, and young engineer employees from SoftBank. As part of the support, students are also expected to visit actual stores for observation and practical testing of their ideas. The "Smart Life Hackathon" will be held five times, both online and in-person. Heiwado employees will join as judges in the final screening committee in July, where the winning team will be determined.
Through the "Smart Life Hackathon," Heiwado will leverage the unique perspectives and ideas gained from students to enrich and convenience local life. Heiwado will continue to actively promote exchanges with students and other industries in the future.
## References
* Ryukoku University Official Website Hackathon
https://www.ryukoku.ac.jp/hackathon/
* "Let's eat plenty of delicious vegetables" - Commercialization of recipes devised by Ryukoku University students based on the concept
(Heiwado News Release)
https://www.heiwado.jp/assets/img/news/2025/pdf/0110_milkcurrygratin.pdf
## Notes Regarding This Release
* All contents described in this release are based on information at the time of release.
* Perspectives, illustrations, photographs, logos, signs, maps, etc., used in this release are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual.
* Please note that contents and schedules may change without prior notice due to circumstances.
A hackathon is a portmanteau of "hack" (meaning to improve programming) and "marathon." It is an event where IT engineers form teams and intensively develop software, services, or products for a given theme within a set period, competing on the originality of their ideas and the excellence of their technology. Heiwado has engaged in various collaborations with Ryukoku University, which has its Seta Campus in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, including commercializing recipes using vegetables that support health through food, conceived by Ryukoku University students. Based on these past collaborations, Heiwado has decided to participate in the "Smart Life Hackathon."
In the "Smart Life Hackathon," Heiwado will provide its purchasing statistics data, among other information. Based on this data, participants will envision next-generation supermarkets. Heiwado employees will participate as mentors, supporting idea creation alongside 30 students from the Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology and the Faculty of Agriculture who attend the Seta Campus, and young engineer employees from SoftBank. As part of the support, students are also expected to visit actual stores for observation and practical testing of their ideas. The "Smart Life Hackathon" will be held five times, both online and in-person. Heiwado employees will join as judges in the final screening committee in July, where the winning team will be determined.
Through the "Smart Life Hackathon," Heiwado will leverage the unique perspectives and ideas gained from students to enrich and convenience local life. Heiwado will continue to actively promote exchanges with students and other industries in the future.
## References
* Ryukoku University Official Website Hackathon
https://www.ryukoku.ac.jp/hackathon/
* "Let's eat plenty of delicious vegetables" - Commercialization of recipes devised by Ryukoku University students based on the concept
(Heiwado News Release)
https://www.heiwado.jp/assets/img/news/2025/pdf/0110_milkcurrygratin.pdf
## Notes Regarding This Release
* All contents described in this release are based on information at the time of release.
* Perspectives, illustrations, photographs, logos, signs, maps, etc., used in this release are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual.
* Please note that contents and schedules may change without prior notice due to circumstances.