Call for Participants: "Kagawa Prefecture Business Challenge Competition 2026"!!
Kagawa Prefecture is seeking participants for a business challenge competition to support startups and entrepreneurs within 5 years of founding. It aims to foster innovative business plans to revitalize the local economy.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 23:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 17:10
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 03:32 (418h 22m after Collected)
Kagawa Prefecture is accepting applications for participants in the "Kagawa Prefecture Business Challenge Competition"!
Details such as application guidelines and forms are published on the Kagawa Prefecture website.
https://www.pref.kagawa.lg.jp/sangyo/shinki/bijikon_r8.html
## What is the "Kagawa Prefecture Business Challenge Competition"?
In Kagawa Prefecture, we solicit and screen original business plans that create new value through innovative technologies and ideas, leading to the revitalization of the prefectural economy. By intensively supporting entrepreneurs with expected growth, we aim to foster the creation of startups that will drive the prefectural economy and accelerate their growth.
## Eligibility
**Applicants must possess an original business plan and meet all of the following criteria (1) to (3).**
(1) Must be an SME, General Incorporated Foundation, General Incorporated Association, or Specified Non-Profit Corporation (*) falling under any of the following:
a) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, having a head office or principal place of business within the prefecture.
b) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, who will establish a head office or principal place of business within the prefecture by relocation by July 1, 2026.
c) Those who will start a business by establishing a head office or principal place of business within the prefecture by February 28, 2027.
(2) Must not fall under organized crime groups stipulated in Article 2, Item 2 of the Act on Prevention of Unjust Acts by Organized Crime Group Members (Act No. 77 of 1991), members of such groups stipulated in Item 6 of the same Article, or those recognized as having a socially condemnable relationship with such groups or members.
(3) Must have no arrears in Kagawa Prefecture taxes.
* In the case of sole proprietors, the requirement for (1) shall be as follows:
a) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, residing within the prefecture (address on the certificate of residence must be in Kagawa Prefecture), and who have submitted a notification of the opening of a private business within the prefecture.
b) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, who will reside in the prefecture and submit a notification of opening (or relocating) a private business within the prefecture by July 1, 2026.
c) Those who will reside in the prefecture and submit a notification of opening a private business within the prefecture by February 28, 2027.
* "SME" refers to small and medium-sized enterprises stipulated in each item of Paragraph 1, Article 2 of the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan Act. However, SMEs falling under any of the following (deemed large enterprises) are excluded:
- SMEs in which a single large enterprise owns one-half or more of the total number of issued shares or total investment amount.
- SMEs in which large enterprises own two-thirds or more of the total number of issued shares or total investment amount.
- SMEs where individuals serving concurrently as executives or employees of a large enterprise account for one-half or more of the total number of executives.
* For General Incorporated Foundations, General Incorporated Associations, and Specified Non-Profit Corporations, those falling under either ① or ② below:
① Projects contributing to the promotion of SMEs, conducted in collaboration with SMEs.
② Established primarily by SMEs to conduct projects supporting SMEs.
## Application Period (Eligibility Confirmation
Details such as application guidelines and forms are published on the Kagawa Prefecture website.
https://www.pref.kagawa.lg.jp/sangyo/shinki/bijikon_r8.html
## What is the "Kagawa Prefecture Business Challenge Competition"?
In Kagawa Prefecture, we solicit and screen original business plans that create new value through innovative technologies and ideas, leading to the revitalization of the prefectural economy. By intensively supporting entrepreneurs with expected growth, we aim to foster the creation of startups that will drive the prefectural economy and accelerate their growth.
## Eligibility
**Applicants must possess an original business plan and meet all of the following criteria (1) to (3).**
(1) Must be an SME, General Incorporated Foundation, General Incorporated Association, or Specified Non-Profit Corporation (*) falling under any of the following:
a) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, having a head office or principal place of business within the prefecture.
b) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, who will establish a head office or principal place of business within the prefecture by relocation by July 1, 2026.
c) Those who will start a business by establishing a head office or principal place of business within the prefecture by February 28, 2027.
(2) Must not fall under organized crime groups stipulated in Article 2, Item 2 of the Act on Prevention of Unjust Acts by Organized Crime Group Members (Act No. 77 of 1991), members of such groups stipulated in Item 6 of the same Article, or those recognized as having a socially condemnable relationship with such groups or members.
(3) Must have no arrears in Kagawa Prefecture taxes.
* In the case of sole proprietors, the requirement for (1) shall be as follows:
a) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, residing within the prefecture (address on the certificate of residence must be in Kagawa Prefecture), and who have submitted a notification of the opening of a private business within the prefecture.
b) As of April 1, 2026, those within 5 years of starting a business, who will reside in the prefecture and submit a notification of opening (or relocating) a private business within the prefecture by July 1, 2026.
c) Those who will reside in the prefecture and submit a notification of opening a private business within the prefecture by February 28, 2027.
* "SME" refers to small and medium-sized enterprises stipulated in each item of Paragraph 1, Article 2 of the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan Act. However, SMEs falling under any of the following (deemed large enterprises) are excluded:
- SMEs in which a single large enterprise owns one-half or more of the total number of issued shares or total investment amount.
- SMEs in which large enterprises own two-thirds or more of the total number of issued shares or total investment amount.
- SMEs where individuals serving concurrently as executives or employees of a large enterprise account for one-half or more of the total number of executives.
* For General Incorporated Foundations, General Incorporated Associations, and Specified Non-Profit Corporations, those falling under either ① or ② below:
① Projects contributing to the promotion of SMEs, conducted in collaboration with SMEs.
② Established primarily by SMEs to conduct projects supporting SMEs.
## Application Period (Eligibility Confirmation