Nikkei Hosts Idea Contest 'NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL' to Solve Social Issues

The Nikkei, Inc. is calling for participants for 'NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL 2026-27,' a pitch contest targeting next-generation social entrepreneurs, organizations, and students aiming to solve social issues. The contest aims to discover innovative ideas in social problem-solving, SDGs, and sustainability, and support their real-world implementation through expert mentorship and media exposure via Nikkei platforms. The application deadline is August 24 (Monday). Participation is free.

From Over 400 Applications to 10 Finalists: Refine Ideas with Top Instructors and Pitch at the Final

From over 400 applications annually, 10 finalist teams selected through the first screening (document review) will participate in approximately four months of brush-up meetings with the advisory board and seminars led by top-tier instructors. They will then compete in the final judging session, scheduled to be held in Chuo City, Tokyo, on February 10, 2027 (Wednesday). The Grand Prix winner will receive a cash prize of 500,000 JPY. Winners’ initiatives will also be featured in interview articles on the NIKKEI THE PITCH website and promoted through Nikkei media channels.

In the previous season, Classroom Adventure Inc. won the Grand Prix with its proposal 'Classroom Adventure Ray Series,' which aims to solve social issues through gaming. Dot Inc. was awarded the Runner-up Prize for its initiative to promote resource circulation and landscape development in local communities through free-range poultry farming.

*For details, click here *Application form here

Speakers and judges at the NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL 2025-26 Final (March 7, 2026, Chiyoda, Tokyo) Mr. Santa Imai, CEO of Classroom Adventure Inc., Grand Prix winner at the NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL 2025-26 Final (same)

Participants at the NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL 2025-26 Final (same) Presentation scene and judges at the NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL 2025-26 Final (same)

Intense judging scene at the NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL 2025-26 Final (same) Participants speaking with instructors and judges at the networking event following the pitch (same)

Six Key Support Points for Challengers: Expand Horizons and Business through Interaction with Top Experts

- Four-month brush-up meetings with expert advisors

Finalists will participate in brush-up meetings with the advisory board to support the development of their ventures and activities.

- Special invitation to seminars led by leading practitioners

Finalists can participate in all five seminars held under the 'NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL BUSINESS SCHOOL.' These sessions offer new perspectives and practical learning opportunities.

- Judging by experts leading the social impact field

Judges from various frontlines—social impact, business development, investment, and education research—will gather. Sharp Q&A sessions designed to grow ventures are a key feature.

- Enhanced visibility through Nikkei media

From the first screening to the final, Nikkei will continuously promote participants through its platforms, including newspaper editions, to increase their public recognition.

- Co-creation opportunities with corporations, local governments, and students

Bringing together diverse stakeholders is a hallmark of 'NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL.' Networking events and related programs after the judging session may lead to new collaborations and connections with younger generations.

- Feature articles on Grand Prix and Special Award winners

Nikkei will publish interview articles on Grand Prix, Runner-up, and Special Award winners, widely sharing the background and motivations behind their challenges.

Advisory Board (Names listed without titles, in no particular order)

- Mayumi Amino: Deputy Director, Private Sector Partnership Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

- Shugo Ikemoto: Representative Director, Social Innovation Dojo; Executive Director, Universal Shien Center; Professor, Graduate Institute for Social Innovation, Hosei University; Visiting Professor, Musashino University

- Takashi Inoue: Deputy Mayor of Yamagata City

- Chieko Takahashi: Professor, Faculty of Business Administration, Mukogawa Women's University; Director, Recurrent Education Center

- Takanori Matsui: Principal, KIBOW Social Investment Fund; Associate Professor, Graduate School of Management, Globis University

- Koichi Yokota: Representative Director, Yokota Associates; Co-Representative Director, Anchor; Special Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University

NIKKEI THE PITCH SOCIAL 2026-27 Call for Entries

- Application Deadline: August 24, 2026 (Monday) / Free Entry

- Please read the 'Event Overview and Application Guidelines' and 'Application Form Notes' carefully and apply via the application form.

- Reference materials may be submitted optionally. Attach them to the email address provided in the automatic reply email upon application completion. Please follow the file requirements below:

- PDF file under 5MB, only one file accepted

- File name format: 'NTPS_ApplicantName_Project(Title)Name'

- Entry Fee: Free

- Expense Support: The secretariat will cover domestic travel expenses (one trip, one person) for brush-up meetings with the advisory board and for attending the final judging session.

- Application Theme: Social business with a focus on sustainability

- Eligibility: Organizations, individuals, or students meeting both of the following criteria:

- Ability to attend the final judging session and award ceremony

- Engaged in or planning a venture or activity aimed at solving social issues, and either:

- An organization, individual, or student with existing activity records, planning to continue their social business beyond fiscal year 2026

- An organization, individual, or student planning a new social business idea

Judging Criteria: Evaluating social contribution, business model innovation, novelty, market potential, scalability, and growth potential

Judging will emphasize not only contribution to social issue resolution but also business viability for sustained efforts, and innovation that generates new models and impact.

Awards (Planned)

- Final Event Awards: Grand Prix (1 team, 500,000 JPY), Runner-up (1 team, 300,000 JPY), Student Category Award / Sponsor Company Award (planned) (1 team each, 100,000 JPY)

- Interview articles published on NIKKEI THE PITCH website; announcements via Nikkei digital edition ads

Schedule – From Document Screening to Final in Tokyo

### 2026

- August 24 (Mon): Application Deadline

- September: First Screening (Document Review)

- October: Announcement of 10 Finalist Teams

- October onwards: Brush-up Meetings

- Seminar Participation (Optional)

- Brush-up meetings will be conducted in consultation with assigned advisory board members (number and format are flexible)

- Seminars are planned to be held in Tokyo or online

### 2027

- February 10 (Wed): Final Judging Session / Award Ceremony

- Venue: TODA HALL & CONFERENCE TOKYO (1-7-1 Kyobashi, Chuo City, Tokyo)

- The final judging session will be part of the conference event 'NIK