What is the purpose of this audition?

The purpose is to foster new business creation and revitalize the regional economy in Yokosuka City by supporting the implementation of excellent business plans.

What kind of support is provided?

Participants can receive incentives of up to 2 million yen, special prizes from sponsors, and three years of accompanying support and mentoring from Yokosuka City and AlphaDrive.

What achievements have past participants made?

Specific achievements are not detailed in the text, but there have been a cumulative 289 applications, with some leading to business implementation.

Are there specific application documents or requirements?

Detailed application requirements and necessary documents are not specified in the text, but it is a call for business plans.

[20th Anniversary Event] Startup Audition in YOKOSUKA 2026 Opens for Applications

Q: What is the co-hosted program with Keikyu Corporation?

It is a program to recruit co-creation partners who will work on solving regional issues in Yokosuka, conducted alongside this audition.

Published Jun 9, 2026 10:00 PM ・ Updated Jun 14, 2026 12:00 AM ・ 9 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Yokosuka City has begun accepting applications for the "Startup Audition in YOKOSUKA 2026," marking its 20th anniversary. This audition supports the implementation of new business ventures, offering up to 2 million yen in incentives and accompanying support. This year's event will feature a new venue and opportunities for interaction with past participants.

What is Startup Audition in YOKOSUKA?

Yokosuka City is holding its 20th anniversary commemorative event for the business contest that has been held since fiscal year 2007. This audition widely solicits business plans that carve out new business domains through creativity and ingenuity from within and outside Yokosuka City, and after screening and public announcement, provides accompanying support for business implementation. Upon the condition that the winning business plans are implemented, a maximum incentive of 2 million yen will be awarded. The cumulative number of applications to date is 289, and the number of applications reached 47 last fiscal year (2025), indicating growing attention.

Its greatest feature is that it is not merely a business idea contest but an audition that leads to the "actual implementation of new businesses." Winners receive not only incentives and special preferential rights but also a system that seriously supports commercialization, such as accompanying support from AlphaDrive, a company specializing in new business development.

Awards and Benefits

- Incentive of up to 2 million yen (awarded by Yokosuka City)

- Special prizes from sponsoring companies (cash prizes, special preferential treatment, etc.)

- NICT Award (opportunity to challenge "Kigyoka Tenpaku" - Entrepreneur Expo)

- Accompanying support from Yokosuka City (for three years, including the current fiscal year)

- Mentoring support from AlphaDrive

Features of This Year's Event – As the 20th Anniversary Competition

In this 20th year, the audition venue will be moved to Yokosuka Arts Theatre's "Bayside Pocket," and opportunities for interaction will be provided, inviting many people who have been involved so far, such as past award winners.

Furthermore, continuing from last year, it will be jointly held with the "KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM in YOKOSUKA," and in conjunction with the application for this audition, we will recruit co-creation partners who will work on solving regional issues in Yokosuka together with Keikyu Corporation.

KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM in YOKOSUKA

https://www.keikyu.co.jp/report/2026/report2026060901.html

2026 Fiscal Year Schedule (Tentative)

Application Period: June 1 (Mon) - August 20 (Thu)

Finalist Announcement: September 25 (Fri)

Final Judging: October 23 (Fri) @ Yokosuka Arts Theatre Bayside Pocket

Online Information Session

An online information session will be held for those considering participation or wanting to know more details about this audition. Past award winners are scheduled to speak about how this audition helped promote their businesses. We will also clearly convey essential information for considering an application, such as an introduction to the jointly held "KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM in YOKOSUKA (hosted by Keikyu Corporation)"!

We welcome not only those preparing their applications but also those considering applying, and even those who are unsure about applying but are slightly interested! Please feel free to register.

Date & Time: July 3, 2026 (Fri) 18:00 - 19:00 (Connection starts at 17:45)

Format: ZOOM Webinar (Free, Pre-registration required)

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/GB6LZU4MP5ggTPNB8

*An archived video of the session will be available after the live broadcast.

Inquiries

Startup Audition Secretariat (AlphaDrive Inc.)

Mail: [email protected]

Phone: 090-4834-7154

Organizer: Yokosuka City

Co-organizers: Kanagawa Prefecture, Keikyu Corporation

Operator: AlphaDrive Inc.

About AlphaDrive REGION

AlphaDrive REGION operates in the field of regional revitalization and economic policy at AlphaDrive, working on corporate attraction, industrial promotion, and regional human resource development in collaboration with municipalities, mayors, council members, and local businesses. Beyond consulting, they have acted as an implementation entity operating businesses in regions across 26 prefectures. Through the "AlphaDrive Regional Economy Research Institute," which serves as a think tank, they conduct research on regional economic policies and propose policies, redefining regional economic policy in the AI era as "Regional AX." They also work on fostering AX architects in regions, supporting the ambitions of regional economies in the era of Regional Revitalization 2.0.

Details: https://region.alphadrive.co.jp/

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: Event
Organizations: AlphaDrive / NICT
Products / services: KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM in YOKOSUKA

[20th Anniversary Event] Startup Audition in YOKOSUKA 2026 Opens for Applications

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