Held in Iwate on Sun 5/31! The "Press Release 10 Years from Now" Contest Where Startups Present Their Future. Applications Open Thu 4/23
PR TIMES-certified 'Press Release Evangelists' have launched 'Future Pressrelease from IWATE,' a contest for startups to envision their future 10 years from now. Applications open April 23, aiming to boost PR capabilities and regional innovation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 00:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 16:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 18:30 (2h 28m after Collected)
Volunteers among the "Press Release Evangelists" certified by PR TIMES Corporation (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Takumi Yamaguchi, TSE Prime/NSE Premier: 3922), which operates the press release distribution service "PR TIMES" and other services, are promoting the "Chagu Chagu Iwate PR Project 2026" in collaboration with companies and universities in Iwate Prefecture to challenge the improvement of information dissemination skills among local businesses and children.
In the startup support division, we have opened a call for participants starting Thursday, April 23, 2026, for our first initiative targeting startups in Iwate Prefecture and nationwide: "Future Pressrelease from IWATE," a contest where companies envision their ideal state 10 years from now and broadcast it from Iwate. The judges are experts running one of Japan's largest startup job sites and media personnel with global experience. By encountering real-world knowledge of recruitment and organizational growth, and receiving direct feedback from reporters who have seen the world, this provides a valuable opportunity for participating startups to hone their PR and communication skills to take flight globally.
The application deadline is Sunday, May 17. For startups considering entry, two online briefing sessions (4/30 and 5/7, both weekdays and free of charge) will be held (details below).
What You Can Gain from This Contest *Participation is free
- Opportunity for direct presentation to judges working for major media such as TV and newspapers
- Networking opportunities with investors and startup supporters
- Publication of entered press releases on the project's special website
- Participation in opening a time capsule 10 years later (2036)
- Application correction support for the Press Release Awards held in October (for winners only)
Message of Support from a Judge
Kiyotaka Fujioka, President and CEO, Startup Class Inc.
For a startup, "envisioning your company 10 years from now" is the origin of organization building. Do not hesitate to talk about your dreams. Those words will call out to companions who will walk with you and become the first step to changing society. Please take the plunge and take on the challenge. As a judge, I am sincerely looking forward to the future you envision.
What is Future Pressrelease from IWATE?
Iwate Prefecture is focusing on fostering startups for regional economic development, and in October 2026, an international conference on startups, the "Iwate International Innovation Convention (IIC)," will be held in Morioka City. By gathering domestic and international investors and aspiring entrepreneurs, they aim to create "human network building" and "funding opportunities" necessary for creating and nurturing startups from Iwate, positioning Iwate as a major hub for startup investment.
The "Future Pressrelease from IWATE (*1)," held within the "Chagu Chagu Iwate PR Project," has startups announce their company's future through a press release set 10 years ahead.
Target participants are open nationwide, not limited to companies in Iwate Prefecture. We believe that press releases written from diverse perspectives will provide new viewpoints and insights. By gathering press releases envisioning the future of startups from all over the country, the event held in Morioka City will be a place to experience press releases interspersed with the perspectives of expert judges. We believe that holding "Future Pressrelease from IWATE" as the Chagu Chagu Iwate PR Project in Morioka City will be a catalyst for boosting momentum for press releases and PR.
Furthermore, we hold expectations that startups will emerge that achieve the business growth exactly as described in their 10-year-future press release. We hope Iwate Prefecture will thrive as a sacred place for information dissemination by such startups.
In the judged presentation theme, "Press Release 10 Years from Now," by declaring the future state of the company not as a business plan but as a press release aimed at the media and general public, goals and desired states become clearer, contributing to business promotion and leading to improved PR and information dissemination capabilities. Moreover, because judges, participating companies, and the audience can form a concrete image, we believe this will encourage startup support, including networking and financial cooperation.
(*1) In the inaugural press release announced on April 16, we communicated it as "Future Pressrelease 5," but the name has been changed to emphasize its location in Iwate Prefecture.
Contest Overview
Contest Name
Future Pressrelease from IWATE
In the startup support division, we have opened a call for participants starting Thursday, April 23, 2026, for our first initiative targeting startups in Iwate Prefecture and nationwide: "Future Pressrelease from IWATE," a contest where companies envision their ideal state 10 years from now and broadcast it from Iwate. The judges are experts running one of Japan's largest startup job sites and media personnel with global experience. By encountering real-world knowledge of recruitment and organizational growth, and receiving direct feedback from reporters who have seen the world, this provides a valuable opportunity for participating startups to hone their PR and communication skills to take flight globally.
The application deadline is Sunday, May 17. For startups considering entry, two online briefing sessions (4/30 and 5/7, both weekdays and free of charge) will be held (details below).
What You Can Gain from This Contest *Participation is free
- Opportunity for direct presentation to judges working for major media such as TV and newspapers
- Networking opportunities with investors and startup supporters
- Publication of entered press releases on the project's special website
- Participation in opening a time capsule 10 years later (2036)
- Application correction support for the Press Release Awards held in October (for winners only)
Message of Support from a Judge
Kiyotaka Fujioka, President and CEO, Startup Class Inc.
For a startup, "envisioning your company 10 years from now" is the origin of organization building. Do not hesitate to talk about your dreams. Those words will call out to companions who will walk with you and become the first step to changing society. Please take the plunge and take on the challenge. As a judge, I am sincerely looking forward to the future you envision.
What is Future Pressrelease from IWATE?
Iwate Prefecture is focusing on fostering startups for regional economic development, and in October 2026, an international conference on startups, the "Iwate International Innovation Convention (IIC)," will be held in Morioka City. By gathering domestic and international investors and aspiring entrepreneurs, they aim to create "human network building" and "funding opportunities" necessary for creating and nurturing startups from Iwate, positioning Iwate as a major hub for startup investment.
The "Future Pressrelease from IWATE (*1)," held within the "Chagu Chagu Iwate PR Project," has startups announce their company's future through a press release set 10 years ahead.
Target participants are open nationwide, not limited to companies in Iwate Prefecture. We believe that press releases written from diverse perspectives will provide new viewpoints and insights. By gathering press releases envisioning the future of startups from all over the country, the event held in Morioka City will be a place to experience press releases interspersed with the perspectives of expert judges. We believe that holding "Future Pressrelease from IWATE" as the Chagu Chagu Iwate PR Project in Morioka City will be a catalyst for boosting momentum for press releases and PR.
Furthermore, we hold expectations that startups will emerge that achieve the business growth exactly as described in their 10-year-future press release. We hope Iwate Prefecture will thrive as a sacred place for information dissemination by such startups.
In the judged presentation theme, "Press Release 10 Years from Now," by declaring the future state of the company not as a business plan but as a press release aimed at the media and general public, goals and desired states become clearer, contributing to business promotion and leading to improved PR and information dissemination capabilities. Moreover, because judges, participating companies, and the audience can form a concrete image, we believe this will encourage startup support, including networking and financial cooperation.
(*1) In the inaugural press release announced on April 16, we communicated it as "Future Pressrelease 5," but the name has been changed to emphasize its location in Iwate Prefecture.
Contest Overview
Contest Name
Future Pressrelease from IWATE