Oshika Open Innovation Pitch 2026: Entry Period Opens July 16

Creating Businesses Together, from Oshika

This pitch event is not just another business plan competition.

It is a 'region-co-creation type open innovation pitch' where we jointly build new businesses rooted in the local community.

We are calling for business proposals to shape the next 10 years of Oshika, from across Japan and around the world.

Apply here

Application Period: July 16 (Thu), 2026 – August 31 (Mon), 2026

What is the Oshika Open Innovation Pitch?

Oshika Open Innovation Pitch 2025

The 'Oshika Open Innovation Pitch' is a pitch event where startups and challenger companies develop business proposals targeting Oshika City’s local challenges and resources, collaborating with local enterprises, government, and community stakeholders to pursue demonstration and commercialization.

Oshika boasts diverse local resources and challenges, including Naruko Onsen Village, agriculture, food processing, traditional crafts, nature, downtown areas, vacant homes and shops, local transportation, and business succession.

Themes for 2026

For the 2026 edition, we are accepting proposals under the following seven themes plus an open category.

Proposals not fitting the seven themes are also welcome. We encourage cross-thematic proposals and those that reveal new possibilities not yet articulated by the local community.

For details, please visit the entry page.

Apply here

Eligibility

Anyone who aims to launch a new business through co-creation with the local community by focusing on Oshika City’s resources and challenges is welcome to apply.

Examples of eligible applicants:

Startups, corporate new business teams, university and graduate students, research institutions, NPOs, creators, municipal employees, individuals, and groups

Applications are accepted from across Japan and internationally.

Post-Pitch 'Accompaniment Support' is Our Key Feature

The defining feature of the Oshika Open Innovation Pitch is that it does not end with the presentation.

After winning or presenting, awardees will receive accompaniment support toward commercialization through collaboration among SENBIZ Inc., Oshika City, and the Oshika Industrial Promotion Organization.

Omiisay Inc. (2025 Grand Prize Winner) and Sato Urushi Kobo, Naruko, Oshika City – Example of Business Co-Creation and Accompaniment Support

Expected Support Includes:

Matching with local companies and producers

Introduction to demonstration fields

Opportunities for collaboration with government and support organizations

Consultation for sales channel development

Support for commercialization and local implementation

Provision of PR and outreach opportunities

“We want to implement our business in a local community” “We want to test our service in a rural area” “We want to partner with local companies to create new markets”

Oshika City supports such challenges as a whole community.

Real commercialization efforts have already begun following the 2025 event.

In 2025, 77 companies applied, and 10 finalists presented their ideas.

The venue attracted many local enterprises, government officials, and support organizations, and post-pitch accompaniment support continues, focusing on the winning companies.

In 2025, Omiisay Inc., the Grand Prize winner, focused on traditional crafts such as lacquerware from Oshika, advancing initiatives for overseas expansion and high-value inbound tourism.

Their project, 'Immersive Experience × High-Value Inbound Tourism,' including the former Yubi-kan and its garden, was selected for a grant program by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, advancing support for local implementation.

Yubi-kan, Oshika City, Miyagi Prefecture

Additionally, KAMAMESHI Inc., winner of the NTT East Japan Award, operates a DX platform supporting equipment maintenance in manufacturing. They have positioned Oshika as their base for expansion into the Tohoku region, actively proposing to and visiting local companies.

Beyond these, collaboration possibilities are expanding across various fields such as resource circulation, education, welfare, tourism, and regional DX.

Awards and Benefits

Additional awards include the Mayor’s Prize, sponsor company awards, and the Audience Award.

Winners and finalists will receive prize money and recognition, along with opportunities to collaborate with local companies, producers, government, and support organizations in Oshika City, as well as accompaniment support toward commercialization.

Selection Timeline

Application Period: July 16 (Thu), 2026 – August 31 (Mon), 2026

First Round Review: Late September 2026 (tentative)

Second Round Review: Late September to late October 2026 (tentative)

Final Review and Public Pitch: November 26 (Thu), 2026

Venue: Oshika City Hall

※ Online streaming available ※ 10 finalists to be selected

Evaluation Criteria

The review will emphasize the following aspects:

Affinity with local industries and tourism, and contribution to the community

Novelty and competitive advantage of the business

Market size and growth potential

Profitability and sustainability of the business model

Barriers, risks, and feasibility of the plan

Track record and skills of the management team

Co-creation and collaboration with the local community

Particular emphasis will be placed on businesses that can collaborate as equals with local enterprises and government, sharing resources and knowledge to achieve common goals.

Start Your Business in Oshika

The Oshika Open Innovation Pitch 2026 is the entry point for challengers and the local community to meet and turn ideas into businesses.

It does not end with a presentation — it’s about connecting with the community, conducting demonstrations, and moving toward commercialization.

By combining Oshika’s resources with your ambition, new possibilities may emerge that we have not yet imagined.

We look forward to your proposal to co-create the next 10 years of Oshika.

Apply here

Application Period: July 16 (Thu), 2026 – August 31 (Mon), 2026

Organizer: Oshika Industrial Promotion Organization (General Incorporated Association) Co-organizer: Oshika City, Miyagi Prefecture

[Contact] Oshika 1000 Business Executive Committee Secretariat MAIL: [email protected] WEB: https://osaki1000.com Instagram: @osaki1000