Local Innovation Challenge HOKKAIDO, an open innovation program organized by STARTUP HOKKAIDO, has started accepting applications for startups in FY 2024! The program is an open innovation program sponsored by STARTUP HOKKAIDO!

We will provide support in the areas of matching with local governments and businesses in Hokkaido, implementation of demonstration experiments, public relations, and funding! We look forward to hearing from you!

The Local Innovation Challenge HOKKAIDO, an administrative open innovation project in which startups from Japan and abroad collaborate with local governments in the Sapporo Collaboration Hub City Region to solve regional and administrative issues, has contributed to the growth of startups' businesses and the development of a local innovation momentum since its launch in 2020. In FY2023, the "Local Innovation Challenge HOKKAIDO-Hokkaido Program" was launched, expanding the field of demonstration to the entire island of Hokkaido. 30 demonstration experiments have been adopted over the past 4 years.

In FY2024, we will be accepting applications for primary industry, environment and energy, food, tourism, space, and free proposals, and will support the business development of startups in all of Hokkaido!

Themes: Primary industry, environmental energy, tourism, food, space, and free proposals (but only those that contribute to solving regional issues in Hokkaido).

Eligibility: Startups with advanced technologies and ideas, and with solutions to regional and administrative issues.
*Participants must be willing to participate in interviews as requested by the secretariat during the period of the demonstration experiment, and must be able to attend the results presentation scheduled for early March 2025.

Details of support:
Provision of support funds for the implementation of the demonstration experiment (up to 500,000 yen (including tax) per project)
Coordination with related parties and field coordination necessary for the implementation of the demonstration experiment
Public relations support for media exposure, etc.
Provision of a base of operations (workspace in Sapporo during the program period)

How to apply: Please apply using the application form.

Number of applications accepted: Approximately 10~13

Selection Process:
After the application is submitted via the website, the screening of applications will be conducted as needed.
Only those who pass the document screening will have an interview with the secretariat.
In principle, interviews will be conducted online.
Matching arrangements with local governments and businesses will be made sequentially for those companies that pass the screening.
Implementation of demonstration experiments

Selection criteria: Proposals will be reviewed from the following perspectives
(1) Social impact (will it contribute to solving regional and administrative issues)
(2) Growth potential of the business (does it have a competitive advantage?)
(3) Creativity (can the project provide a solution that meets regional and administrative needs)
(4) Team structure (whether the team has the ability to execute)
(5) Commitment to the project (whether or not the team is enthusiastic about the realization of the project)

Presentation of results: To be held in Sapporo in early March 2025

For details, please visit the official website.

*Please be sure to check the official website of the organizer regarding the status of the event.