Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Subsidy Project "INACOME Business Contest 2026" Seeks Business Ideas for Rural Revitalization Starting July

Pasona Nouentai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kosuke Tanaka) will hold the "INACOME Business Contest 2026," a business contest aimed at revitalizing rural areas by leveraging local resources and solving regional issues, in December of this year.

In preparation for the event, we will begin accepting applications for business ideas that contribute to the sustainable revitalization of rural areas from July 1 (Wed).

▲ Scene from last year's "INACOME Business Contest 2025"

This contest features two divisions to broadly solicit business ideas that combine diverse thinking with implementation capabilities: the "Idea Division" for those aiming to commercialize their ideas in the future, and the "Startup Division" for those who have already launched their businesses. Applicants will be selected through a preliminary screening (document review) and a secondary screening (5-minute online presentation). Finalists will participate in the main competition, scheduled to be held in Tokyo in early December of this year. Participants in the main competition will receive support for their business development. Furthermore, winners of each award will be offered opportunities for meetings with sponsoring companies to co-create businesses, advisory support from experts, and special prizes such as local agricultural products and processed goods.

Through this project, Pasona Nouentai aims to support new challenges in rural areas across the country and contribute to the creation of a sustainable society that leverages local resources.

Application Overview

Application Period

July 1, 2026 (Wed) 9:00 AM - September 27, 2026 (Sun) 11:59 PM

Content

Seeking business ideas that leverage rural resources to solve regional issues and lead to sustainable revitalization.

<Example Themes>

"Utilization of Diverse Local Resources," "Rural Revitalization Through AI Utilization," "Increasing Related Population," "Collaboration Between Rural Areas and Other Fields," "Utilization of Abandoned Farmland," "Ideas to Promote Exchange Between Urban and Rural Areas," etc.

Target Audience

1 Idea Division

Individuals considering launching a business that contributes to rural revitalization within the next three years.

2 Startup Division

Individuals who are already operating a business (within 5 years of business launch).

*Plans for further growth and development are also eligible for application, even for ongoing businesses.

Screening Method

Preliminary Screening (Document Review)

Screening Period / October 9, 2026 (Mon) - October 9, 2026 (Fri) Announcement of Results / October 16, 2026 (Fri) *Announcement Method / Posted on website and emailed to applicants.

Secondary Screening (5-minute online presentation by approximately 20 preliminary screening qualifiers) Screening Date / November 7, 2026 (Sat)

*Main Competition (Judge selection / Held in Tokyo) will be held in early December.

Benefits

The following benefits will be provided to participants in the main competition: - Advice and support for commercialization from experts.

- Presentation of special prizes to winners.

- Articles about the winners' initiatives will be published on media sites.

How to Apply

Please apply from the URL below.

*INACOME membership registration (free) is required to apply.

URL

https://inacome.jp/business-contest

Inquiries

Pasona Nouentai Co., Ltd. Growth Strategy Division

TEL 03-6734-1260 E-mail inacome@pasona-nouentai.co.jp

Remarks

This business contest will be operated utilizing the "Regional Resource Utilization and Regional Collaboration Support Project (Regional Resource Utilization and Regional Collaboration Promotion Project)" within the "FY2026 Rural Promotion Subsidies for Regional Resource Utilization Value Creation Promotion Project (Creation Support Type)" of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.