Call for Entries for the 13th Maruwa Social Business Award Begins! - 1 Million Yen Grant for Award Winners

The Maruwa Ikushikai Public Interest Incorporated Foundation (Suginami-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Tadao Hashimoto) will accept applications for the "13th Maruwa Social Business Award" from Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to Sunday, May 31, 2026. The Maruwa Social Business Award aims to support and nurture entrepreneurs who seek to "balance aspiration and wealth = pursue social contribution and the necessary profits for it." It provides intellectual support for business plan development to applicants and grants 1 million yen to each of the five winners.

Application guidelines are available here: https://maruwa-ikushi.org/socialbusiness/recruitment-requirements/

## What is the Maruwa Social Business Award?

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The Maruwa Ikushikai Foundation promotes social business support activities in accordance with the following policies:

1) To provide intellectual and financial support to individuals who plan and conceive social businesses that contribute to society, and who aim for sustainable growth through impactful entrepreneurship and management, as well as the strengthening and development of their own aspirations.

2) To deepen the understanding of the relationship between individuals, organizations, society, and the world through thinking for oneself, building networks, and practical action, thereby enhancing "practical wisdom," "integrated knowledge," and "human capabilities" centered on personal and organizational connections.

The Maruwa Social Business Award, which began in 2014, has been presented to 60 aspiring entrepreneurs over the past 12 years.

Based on the Maruwa Ikushikai Foundation's action principle of "think for yourself, build networks, and put into practice," we encourage applications from those who are eager to actively utilize opportunities such as individual consultations with intellectual supporters to re-examine their new projects and refine them with bold visions.

## Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

- Individuals who agree with the purpose of the call, the philosophy of the Maruwa Ikushikai Foundation, and the concept of social business, and who are actually planning to launch a new project.
- Maruwa Ikushikai Philosophy: https://maruwa-ikushi.org/profile/philosophy/
- Social Business Concept: https://maruwa-ikushi.org/socialbusiness/concept/

- ELPASO members (no admission fee & no annual fee)
- What is the ELPASO Association?: