Hyogo Prefecture Launches Startup Growth Support Program 'Leap Forward HYOGO 2026'
Hyogo Prefecture has announced the launch of 'Leap Forward HYOGO 2026', a startup growth support program. This program, operated by LETT Co., Ltd., aims to intensively assist startups solving social issues and driving regional economy through collaborations, market development, PR, and funding support.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:00
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Hyogo Prefecture is pleased to announce the implementation of its startup growth support program 'Leap Forward HYOGO' (hereinafter, this program), which challenges the resolution of social issues and aims to drive the regional economy, following last year's successful run. This program will be operated by LETT Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, LETT).
Furthermore, recruitment for startups to participate in this program will begin on Friday, May 8, 2026. This year, the core members of last year's operations will once again provide powerful support to Hyogo's startups with overwhelming agility.
■ About 'Leap Forward HYOGO'
This program provides intensive hands-on support to startups that are tackling social issues and aiming to lead the regional economy, through strong collaboration with support organizations, financial institutions, and others. The goal is for startups to achieve accelerated growth and become leading companies representing Hyogo Prefecture.
▼ 'Leap Forward HYOGO 2026' Special Website
URL: https://lett-c.jp/lfh/lfh2026
■ Key Support Contents of 'Leap Forward HYOGO 2026'
Support for Collaboration Partners and Market Development
By fully utilizing the networks of Hyogo Prefecture, the secretariat, support organizations, and financial institutions, we will actively implement business matching that leads to business growth, thereby strongly supporting collaboration partners and market development.
PR Support
We will implement media outreach utilizing the public relations networks of Hyogo Prefecture and the secretariat, including the production and dissemination of interview articles focusing on entrepreneurs.
Funding Support
We will provide funding support tailored to the capital policy of startup companies. We will strongly support both equity and debt finance with expert advice.
Support through Regular Meetings
Through regular meetings with Hyogo Prefecture and the secretariat, we will listen to progress and challenges. We will provide support for problem-solving, such as providing opportunities for consultation with optimal experts depending on the situation, including organizational development and talent acquisition.
■ Eligible Startup Companies
We are recruiting startup companies that meet all of the following requirements:
Startup companies that have their head office in Hyogo Prefecture, or have a clear intention to relocate their head office to Hyogo Prefecture during the program period.
Startup companies that have concrete products or prototypes deployed in the market and have already started providing value to specific customers.
Startup companies that have challenges in recognition and customer acquisition, and have a system in place to take action towards the goals set in this project.
■ Number of Companies to be Selected (Planned)
Maximum of 5 companies
*After inputting the necessary information on the application form and submitting the required documents, selected companies will be decided through a presentation screening held on Friday, June 12, 2026.
■ How to Apply
Please enter the necessary information and submit the required documents via the form below.
URL: https://forms.gle/4YV7zM1wTf1hUR5x8
Application Deadline: Thursday, May 28, 2026
■ Main Schedule (Planned)
Friday, May 8, 2026: Application Start
Thursday, May 28, 2026: Application Deadline
Monday, June 1, 2026: Document Screening Result Notification
Friday, June 12, 2026: Presentation Screening (Online)
Thursday, June 18, 2026: Announcement of Selected Startup Companies
Monday, June 29, 2026: Kick-off Event (Kigyo Plaza Hyogo)
Tuesday, June 30, 2026: Intensive Support Begins
Mid-March 2027: Results Presentation (Kigyo Plaza Hyogo)
■ Organizer/Operator
Organizer: Hyogo Prefecture
Operator: LETT Co., Ltd.
■ Comments from Last Year's Selected Participants (in alphabetical order of surname)
Yoshiharu Onishi, Manager, Business Development Group & Chief Researcher, R&D Department, Atomis Co., Ltd.
“I felt it was a significant achievement that we were introduced to a large number of companies and institutions we wished to contact, and several of them progressed to concrete business negotiations.
I believe this was a direct result of Hyogo Prefecture and the operating members fully leveraging their wide range of connections, and it would have been impossible for our company alone to achieve this much in such a short period, less than a year, like 'Leap Forward HYOGO'. Furthermore, their attendance at meetings with customers and feedback on presentations were extremely helpful. I feel that we have been able to conduct higher-quality business negotiations by applying that knowledge even outside this program.
Since the companies selected at the same time as ours also achieved remarkable results, I believe this will be a very good boost for future participants.”
Tetsuya Yokoyama, CEO, CiPPo Co., Ltd.
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Furthermore, recruitment for startups to participate in this program will begin on Friday, May 8, 2026. This year, the core members of last year's operations will once again provide powerful support to Hyogo's startups with overwhelming agility.
■ About 'Leap Forward HYOGO'
This program provides intensive hands-on support to startups that are tackling social issues and aiming to lead the regional economy, through strong collaboration with support organizations, financial institutions, and others. The goal is for startups to achieve accelerated growth and become leading companies representing Hyogo Prefecture.
▼ 'Leap Forward HYOGO 2026' Special Website
URL: https://lett-c.jp/lfh/lfh2026
■ Key Support Contents of 'Leap Forward HYOGO 2026'
Support for Collaboration Partners and Market Development
By fully utilizing the networks of Hyogo Prefecture, the secretariat, support organizations, and financial institutions, we will actively implement business matching that leads to business growth, thereby strongly supporting collaboration partners and market development.
PR Support
We will implement media outreach utilizing the public relations networks of Hyogo Prefecture and the secretariat, including the production and dissemination of interview articles focusing on entrepreneurs.
Funding Support
We will provide funding support tailored to the capital policy of startup companies. We will strongly support both equity and debt finance with expert advice.
Support through Regular Meetings
Through regular meetings with Hyogo Prefecture and the secretariat, we will listen to progress and challenges. We will provide support for problem-solving, such as providing opportunities for consultation with optimal experts depending on the situation, including organizational development and talent acquisition.
■ Eligible Startup Companies
We are recruiting startup companies that meet all of the following requirements:
Startup companies that have their head office in Hyogo Prefecture, or have a clear intention to relocate their head office to Hyogo Prefecture during the program period.
Startup companies that have concrete products or prototypes deployed in the market and have already started providing value to specific customers.
Startup companies that have challenges in recognition and customer acquisition, and have a system in place to take action towards the goals set in this project.
■ Number of Companies to be Selected (Planned)
Maximum of 5 companies
*After inputting the necessary information on the application form and submitting the required documents, selected companies will be decided through a presentation screening held on Friday, June 12, 2026.
■ How to Apply
Please enter the necessary information and submit the required documents via the form below.
URL: https://forms.gle/4YV7zM1wTf1hUR5x8
Application Deadline: Thursday, May 28, 2026
■ Main Schedule (Planned)
Friday, May 8, 2026: Application Start
Thursday, May 28, 2026: Application Deadline
Monday, June 1, 2026: Document Screening Result Notification
Friday, June 12, 2026: Presentation Screening (Online)
Thursday, June 18, 2026: Announcement of Selected Startup Companies
Monday, June 29, 2026: Kick-off Event (Kigyo Plaza Hyogo)
Tuesday, June 30, 2026: Intensive Support Begins
Mid-March 2027: Results Presentation (Kigyo Plaza Hyogo)
■ Organizer/Operator
Organizer: Hyogo Prefecture
Operator: LETT Co., Ltd.
■ Comments from Last Year's Selected Participants (in alphabetical order of surname)
Yoshiharu Onishi, Manager, Business Development Group & Chief Researcher, R&D Department, Atomis Co., Ltd.
“I felt it was a significant achievement that we were introduced to a large number of companies and institutions we wished to contact, and several of them progressed to concrete business negotiations.
I believe this was a direct result of Hyogo Prefecture and the operating members fully leveraging their wide range of connections, and it would have been impossible for our company alone to achieve this much in such a short period, less than a year, like 'Leap Forward HYOGO'. Furthermore, their attendance at meetings with customers and feedback on presentations were extremely helpful. I feel that we have been able to conduct higher-quality business negotiations by applying that knowledge even outside this program.
Since the companies selected at the same time as ours also achieved remarkable results, I believe this will be a very good boost for future participants.”
Tetsuya Yokoyama, CEO, CiPPo Co., Ltd.
L