One of Japan's Largest Student Business Plan Contests, 'Campus Venture Grand Prix (CVG)', Announces 2026 Schedule

Host: Campus Venture Grand Prix Executive Committee
Co-hosts: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun and others

The Campus Venture Grand Prix Executive Committee, including Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, has finalized the outline for the 'Campus Venture Grand Prix (CVG),' one of Japan's largest business plan contests for students. Applications for the 'CVG Tokyo' and 'CVG Chugoku' events will open on July 1st (Wednesday), followed by other regional competitions.

Since its inception in 1999, the contest has served as a 'gateway for student entrepreneurs' for a quarter of a century, fostering entrepreneurship among young people. It widely solicits and recognizes original business plans from students enrolled in universities, graduate schools, technical colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools nationwide.

By providing opportunities for students to embody their rich imagination, innovative technologies, and unique ideas, the contest aims to contribute to the creation of university-based ventures and startups, as well as the development of the domestic economy and society.

Regional competitions are organized in accordance with the administrative divisions of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, comprising eight areas: 'CVG Hokkaido,' 'CVG Tohoku,' 'CVG Tokyo,' 'CVG Chubu,' 'CVG Osaka,' 'CVG Chugoku,' 'CVG Shikoku,' and the 'Kyushu University-based Venture Business Plan Contest' organized by the Kyushu New Business Conference. The top 12 teams from the regional competitions will participate in the national contest, aiming for the highest awards: the 'Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award' and the 'Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award.'

Detailed implementation guidelines for each regional competition will be released sequentially on the CVG official website ( https://cvg.nikkan.co.jp/ ) in mid-June.

■Purpose of the Contest
The contest aims to foster entrepreneurship among young people who will lead the next generation in Japan, cultivate problem-solving talent, and contribute to the creation of new businesses and industries.

1. Social Implementation of Entrepreneurship Education
We provide a practical arena that elevates learning at higher education institutions beyond the classroom into concrete business plans for solving social issues. As an 'educational project' that nurtures student challenge and independence, we aim for the transfer of knowledge and the development of highly skilled human resources.

2. Creation of New Industries and Startup Ecosystems
The contest is based on a regional ecosystem linked with industry-academia-government, financial institutions, and local companies in eight regions across Japan (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Tokyo, Chubu, Osaka, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu). By having top teams from regional competitions compete in the national contest, we aim to create sustainable new industries and revitalize local economies.

■Features and Social Role of the Contest
1. Recognition System Integrated with Public and Private Sectors
The best plans in the national contest are awarded the 'Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award' and the 'Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award,' reflecting their social value and technical/commercial potential. This high level of public credibility serves as a strong incentive for student challenges.

2. High Commercialization Rate and Creation of Role Models
Many participants have successfully launched businesses following their participation and awards. The contest does not end as a mere idea competition; it serves as an 'incubator for new businesses' that sends ideas into the actual market after evaluation by experts (uniqueness, novelty, marketability, and commercial feasibility).

■Main Application Conditions
1. Students and graduate students (master's and doctoral programs) enrolled in universities, graduate schools, technical colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools in Japan. Applicants (co-proposers) must be current students.
2. In team applications, all members must meet the above criteria. Teams (representatives and co-proposers) can register up to 5 members. Individual entries are also welcome.
3. Fields of study (humanities/sciences), academic years, and majors do not matter. Students from different schools can form a team. Please participate in the competition area of the representative's school.
4. If the applicant has already established a corporation, they can apply if a current student serves as the Representative Director, CEO, COO, or a similar position. Applications are permitted if pure funding (investment) for business growth has been received from university VCs, CVCs, or general VCs. However, companies premised on acquisition (M&A) or transfer of management rights to specific companies are not eligible.