Okayama Gas Open Innovation Project: Business Plan Contest 2026 to be Held!

Okayama Gas Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sakurabashi, Naka-ku, Okayama City; hereinafter "Okayama Gas") will hold the "Business Plan Contest 2026" as part of the Okayama Gas Open Innovation Project. The purpose of this project is to discover and nurture promising talent and plans within Okayama Prefecture, create new businesses and collaborations with individuals and corporations possessing new technologies and business plans, contribute to the development of Okayama Prefecture's industry, solve regional and social issues, and revitalize the community. This project, now in its fifth year, will again be supported by all municipalities in the prefecture, following last year's success. **Recruitment Divisions** (1) Business Division (Emphasis on business viability) (2) Regional/Social Issue Resolution Division (3) Student Division ① University/Vocational School Students ② High School Students **2. Recruitment Content** (1) Innovation Field Proposals for new business models, new service offerings, pioneering market development, etc. (2) Regional/Social Issue Field Population decline, rural depopulation, labor shortages, vacant house issues, shopping deserts, abandoned farmland, medical/nursing care, community revitalization, tourism resources, disaster countermeasures/BCP, etc. (3) Okayama Gas Field Decarbonized society, renewable energy, global warming prevention, environmental pollution countermeasures. Proposals for new technologies such as digital domains, e-methane (synthetic methane), etc. Or, what you want to do with Okayama Gas, what you want Okayama Gas to do, new businesses utilizing Okayama Gas's resources, service improvements, etc. *Please check our website for details on Okayama Gas's business: https://www.okagas.co.jp/ **3. Application Period** 　 May 1, Reiwa 8 (Friday) to August 31, Reiwa 8 (Monday), 24:00 (applications arriving by this time) **4. Eligibility *No residency requirement for any division.** (1) Business Division Individuals, groups, and corporations with business plans they wish to implement in Okayama Prefecture, and those considering starting a business. (2) Regional/Social Issue Resolution Division Students, individuals, organizations, and corporations with ideas, projects, or activity plans aimed at solving regional social issues. (3) Student Division Students who wish to broaden their business perspective or are considering starting a business in the future, and students with bold business plans or ideas to create an ideal region/society. **5. Awards (Titles)** Awards and Benefits / Division awards will be selected in each division, and a Grand Prix will be determined from all divisions. (1) Business Division Award (Title) (2) Regional/Social Issue Resolution Division Award (Title) Or, depending on the business plan, there is a possibility of support/collaboration. (However, if there is no commercializable plan, only the award will be given.) (3) Student Division Award (Title) and gift certificates ・University/Vocational School Students ・High School Students **6. Judging Criteria** Scoring will be based on the following items. ① Novelty/Creativity ② Feasibility/Marketability/Profitability ③ Contribution to local community and environment ④ Potential of solutions and value provided ⑤ Affinity with Okayama Gas ① Contribution to local community and future potential ② Feasibility/Sustainability ③ Co-creation/Collaboration with the region ① Novelty/Disruptive originality ② Ambitiousness/Value creation ③ Contribution to local community and environment/Future potential ④ Affinity with Okayama Gas **7. Judging Method** (1) First Screening (Scheduled for mid-September 2026) Finalists will be selected through document review. (2) Final Screening (Scheduled for mid-to-late October 2026) Presentations