NEC Innovation Challenge 2023

Deliver the solutions of tomorrow – NEC is looking for startups with LLM, Healthcare, Smart City, and Urban Agriculture solutions to collaborate together!

Participation has closed.

Unlock opportunities in the Japanese market with a Fortune 500 company!

 

Have you ever thought of expanding to the Japanese Market? Do you aspire to better today’s society with your digital solutions? NEC Innovation Challenge 2023 is calling all start-ups around the world to join us in co-creating with major Japanese companies and institutions.

We are looking for International and Japanese start-ups to collaborate with our partners and sponsors, on key domestic challenges.

If you have a solution that is relevant to our 4 themes (LLM, Healthcare, Smart City, Urban Agriculture) and are keen to establish your business in Japan, don’t miss this opportunity!

This is your golden ticket to unlock unprecedented opportunities in the Japanese market and win up to USD 15,000* of funding available for PoC development!

 

THEMES TO TACKLE

 

Large Language Model (LLM)

 

Healthcare


 

Smart City


 

Urban Agriculture


 

Why join NEC Innovation Challenge?

 
 
NEC is a Japanese multinational IT company, and at NEC our mission is to create value for all members of society. We believe that, with technology and co-creation, digital solutions can address society’s needs.

This year’s objective is ‘Global Co-creation’. Together, with NEC and NEC’s sponsors and partners, we hope to find the answers to today’s challenges and bring amazing ideas to life.

 AWARDS & INCENTIVES

4 different types of prize line up for our selected startups!

 

NEC AWARD

 
Up to USD$15,000* of funding available for PoC development.
 
《Themes for this Award: LLM, Healthcare, Technologies for Child Welfare》
 
*USD amount may vary as it will be calculated as equivalent to 2,200,000 yen at the time of February 2024.
 

NOFF Award

 
Discussions for funding from NOFF
 
 
《Themes for this Award: LLM, Healthcare, Technologies for Child Welfare, Smart Retail》

BIRD INITIATIVE Award

Support of entering the Japanese market by BIRD INITIATIVE
 
《Theme for this Award: Smart Retail》
 
 
 
(e.g. introduction of Japanese developers, support on incorporation of Japanese companies, etc.)
 
 

AGRI-TECH INNOVATOR Award

Access to the experimental farm field in Kawasaki City.

《Theme for this Award: Urban Agriculture》

Final Event

Jan 30 & 31, 2024 - Online

The final of The NEC Innovation Challenge will be attended by 10-20 selected finalists. They will have the opportunity to pitch their solution to a panel of executives from NEC.