Three new mentors, Ito Hirokazu, Miyamoto Yuki, and Hosono Naotaka, join the business competition "StARTs UPs"
~The business competition "StARTs UPs" will be held at Grand Cube Osaka on Wednesday, July 23, 2025~
The Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee (ARTLOGUE Inc., Head Office: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Chairman: Suzuki Daisuke) is pleased to announce that three new mentors have been selected to participate in StARTs UPs, a business competition specializing in the creative economy.
■What is "StARTs UPs"?
StARTs UPs is a business contest specializing in 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.
■ Three new members join CREATIVE ECONOMY MENTORS (in alphabetical order)
Ito Hirokazu
Dentsu Inc.
MC Transformation Room
BX Business Promotion 1 Manager
Media & Content Transformation Office
Joined Dentsu in 2001. Since then, he has led the launch of Japan's largest entertainment live streaming event and various content IP businesses in the media business field.
Currently, as a leader in new business development through collaboration with the media and content industry, he is working to create markets through new content experiences.
Miyamoto Yuki
LINE Yahoo Japan Corporation Corporate Business Company Corporate Planning and Business Development Headquarters Business Development Division General Manager
After joining LINE Corporation (now LINE Yahoo Japan Corporation) in 2020, he will be in charge of business planning and data strategy for corporate solutions.
Currently, he is involved in business development, building a life platform that includes new DX solutions and content businesses.
Hosono Naotaka
CEO of BIG Impact Inc.
Joined a major SIer as a new graduate. After working for a management consulting company and going independent, he joined OPT (now Digital Holdings, Inc.). He has been responsible for new business development, group corporate planning, and M&A. In 2013, he launched an investment development business, and in 2015, founded OPT Ventures (now Bonds
He launched the startup company BIG Impact Co., Ltd. in 2022, and became independent, establishing BIG Impact Co., Ltd., a company focused on innovating in Japan through the startup ecosystem.
Selected by Forbes Japan as "Japan's Most Influential Venture Investors BEST 10" in 2018 and 2020, he was ranked 3rd and 5th, respectively. Major achievements include Raksul, Gunosy, Genie, Jimoty, Rakumo, and WealthNavi.
■To the already announced "CREATIVE ECONOMY MENTORS"
Please refer to the website for details.
https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/starts-ups
■ List of finalist companies (in no particular order)
Please refer to the website for details.
https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/starts-ups
■Event Overview
Creative Business Contest [StARTs UPs]
◯ Date and time (final pitch)
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
◯ Venue
Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka International Convention Center) 5-3-51 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 530-0005
◯ Target companies:
- Companies that aim to develop and expand the creative economy market, such as culture, arts, and entertainment, and to create jobs
- Applicants must be start-up companies (regardless of series) or new corporate businesses *The eight finalists were selected after a rigorous screening process.
◯About the prizes
- Grand Prize
- ARTLOGUE Prize
- Sponsor Prize
*Details of each prize will be announced at a later date.
StARTs UPs official website
https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/starts-ups
[Organizer] Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee (ARTLOGUE Inc.)
[Cooperation] Creww Corporation
[Collaboration] Japan Startup Support Association, Creww Korea Co., Ltd.
■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"