Karatsu Startup PITCH CONTEST 2026 Held
The grand prize went to a 'Foreign Worker and Student Matching Support Business,' which will receive commercialization support from the Karatsu City DX Innovation Center.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (17h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 00:33 (370h 54m after Collected)
On March 24, 2026, the Karatsu City DX Innovation Center (KDIC), operated by Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, held the 'Karatsu Startup PITCH CONTEST 2026' to discover and support startups capable of solving regional issues and creating new businesses. The event was planned and operated by SB Players Corp. The contest aimed to foster local entrepreneurs and create startups. The event featured a keynote speech by Keisuke Murakami, a former official at the Digital Agency, on the prospects of local entrepreneurship in a digital society. Twelve finalists presented their ideas, and HiBee Inc., led by CEO Keita Takashige, won the grand prize for 'Tsunagite,' a platform matching foreign workers and students to provide language education and employment. The city will support the commercialization of this project.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the Karatsu Startup PITCH CONTEST 2026?
The purpose is to discover and support startups that solve regional issues and create new businesses, thereby revitalizing the local economy.
What business won the grand prize?
It is 'Tsunagite' by HiBee Inc., a platform that matches foreign workers and students in Japan to provide Japanese language education and employment opportunities.
What is the future support structure?
The Karatsu City DX Innovation Center will lead the effort to provide continuous support for the commercialization of the project.