- Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about this application! -

The deadline for applications is Monday, March 31, 2025. Finalists who pass the final selection will give a presentation at the "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025" art fair venue on Wednesday, July 23. In addition, a special "StARTs UPs 2025" online talk event will be held on Tuesday, March 25, from 7:00 PM, just before the application deadline.

Study: The Osaka Kansai International Arts Festival Executive Committee (within Artlogue Inc., head office: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Chairman: Suzuki Daisuke) will be hosting "StARTs UPs," a business contest specializing in the creative economy.

<Apply here: https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/starts-ups
(Estimated time: 10-15 minutes)

Click here to register for the special online talk event "StARTs UPs 2025" from 19:00 on Tuesday, March 25th, just before the application deadline.
https://peatix.com/event/4343606

■What is "StARTs UPs"?

StARTs UPs is a business contest focused on the creative economy ^* , with the aim of developing the culture, arts and leisure industries that can solve social issues across sectors.

We will explore new business approaches in the cultural, artistic and leisure industries, maximize the appeal of Japan's culture and the arts, and contribute to realizing sustainable development.

*Creative economy: Art, design, music, fashion, tourism, urban development, architecture, manga, anime, entertainment, food, events, entertainment, etc.

■ Key points of "StARTs UPs"

◯ Organized by "Study: Osaka Kansai International Arts Festival," an international art festival held at the same time as the Osaka-Kansai Expo!
⇒ Urban development and global galleries will take notice, expanding the possibilities for commercialization.
◯ Strengthen cooperation with Korea in cultural development!
⇒ A great opportunity to connect with Korea's startup ecosystem.
◯ The mentors are super impressive!
⇒ There are many potential clients who actually create content in the entertainment industry, not just VCs.

This time, in order to build a strong partnership with the Korean startup ecosystem, we have teamed up with Creww Korea ^* and begun accepting applications from Korean startup companies.
Through this initiative, we will build a new bridge of innovation between Osaka, Korea, and the world.
(*Creww Korea is a Korean-based global accelerator established in 2023 in response to the globalization of the accelerator Creww Inc.)

■Comments from previous winners

Yuki Oka, CEO, DigiReha Inc. <br>Winning the grand prize at the last StARTs UPs has encouraged us ever since, and I still vividly remember the moment we were awarded on that stage. We were very surprised because we never thought we would win. We have participated in many pitch contests like this, and have often suffered major defeats. However, it is not a question of winning or losing; the value lies in getting out there and letting various people know about our business, and the continued new encounters that can be made there is what makes a pitch contest meaningful. Let's continue to run vigorously across Japan and the world as a startup!

■ Prestigious judges

Yoichi Aso Entrepreneurial artist and painter / Representative director of the Entrepreneur Art Association Founder, President and CEO of AlphaDrive Inc.

Originally, entrepreneurship and startups are artistic things that cannot be reproduced, and I feel that the way entrepreneurs live their lives and the businesses and products they create are also "art." I hope that StARTs Ups, which will be held as part of the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025, will shine a light on the artistic and creative qualities of entrepreneurs and lead to the creation of a new basis for evaluating new value.

Fuminori Hirose, Director and COO, ZOZO Inc.

The name of my company, ZOZO, is a combination of the words "imagination" and "creativity," which is a perspective that we value. On the day, I look forward to seeing all of you come up with amazing and innovative business ideas that will pave the way to the future, using your imagination and creativity to the fullest!

Masamichi Toyama, CEO of Smiles Co., Ltd. / CEO of The Chain Museum Co., Ltd.

In the coming age where AI and robots will solve anything, what we need is "motivation and expression". Simply put, "creativity". If it overlaps with business and becomes a source of sustenance for life, it will be the strongest.
No matter who you are, I want to be recorded as the first step in turning expression into a way of life.

Mr. Takeaki Dohda
Head of Business Development, Google Venture Capital

With Osaka hosting the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, it's time for creative talent to blossom. "StARTs UPs" supports everyone who aims to solve social issues with art as the starting point. Why not create a business that will color the future with original ideas and passion? We are waiting for creative challengers who will make an impact on society!

March 25th (Tue) 19:00 To register for the online event, click here: https://peatix.com/event/4343606
To apply for the contest, please click here: https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/starts-ups

■Event Overview

■Company Profile

ARTLOGUE Inc.
・Representative: Artlogue Inc. CEO Daisuke Suzuki ・Head office location: Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture ・Established: July 7, 2017 ・Business operations: Planning and management of "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival" / Planning and management of web media "ARTLOGUE" and "Art Tourism"