#BusinessContest at the Art Festival? The unique business contest "StARTs UPs" has finally concluded. The winners from a total of 77 creative economy companies have been decided!
~ Eight domestic and international startup companies take on the business contest ~
The Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee (within ARTLOGUE Inc.) held the creative economy-focused business contest "StARTs UPs" at the Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center (Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. This business contest was held as part of the official program of "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025."
Aftermovie: https://youtu.be/ologAIw20do
■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 industry, which can solve cross-sectional social issues.
We will explore new business approaches in the culture, arts and leisure industry, maximize the appeal of culture and art in Japan and contribute to realizing sustainable development.
*Creative economy: Art, design, music, fashion, tourism, urban development, architecture, manga, anime, entertainment, food, events, entertainment, etc.
The design of the stickers distributed to participants on the day
■ Final pitch (final selection) held on Wednesday, July 23rd
Eight finalists, selected from over 77 applicants from both Japan and overseas, took to the stage for this contest. Over the course of approximately three months, they met with 20 mentors to discuss and refine their ideas before taking on the final stage.
■ Award Results
Grand Prize: AMATELUS Co., Ltd.
Excellence Award: lollol Inc.
ARTLOGUE Award: STYLY Inc.
Sakura Internet Award: Red Cliff Co., Ltd.
■ Introducing the eight finalist companies (in no particular order)
ACTA PLUS Co., Ltd.
This waste art project has a network of 500 artists from Japan and overseas, and aims to transform the rationale behind sustainability into something to aspire to.
https://acta-plus.com
AMATELUS Inc.
Provides "SwipeVideo," a free viewpoint video distribution/multi-angle video distribution technology. Anyone can now have the "right to switch," which was previously only available to broadcasting rights holders.
https://swipevideo.jp/
lolol Inc.
He runs the online distribution system "lolup," which values "making people smile" and "making yourself smile." The representative of the company aims to build a world where "laughter and smiles make people smile and save them" through his own difficult times.
https://lollol.co.jp
VIE Inc.
Creating a rich and emotional society through the power of neurotechnology and entertainment.
https://www.viestyle.co.jp/
Red Cliff Co., Ltd.
Mission is to "bring surprise and excitement to the night sky," and they are hosting the Cool Japan Drone Show, which aims to impress the world with Japanese drone shows.
https://redcliff-inc.co.jp
Sally127 Inc.
We develop and operate "Try-On Camera," a virtual try-on service for smartphone browsers that eliminates the anxiety consumers have about whether clothes will look good on them when purchasing clothes online.
https://sally127.co.jp/
STYLY, Inc.
A spatial layer platform that connects the digital and physical in the era of "Spatial Computing = wearing space."
https://styly.inc/
CLIMBERS Inc.
A global art commerce platform where you can discover unique works by independent Asian artists through AI-based curation.
https://www.chopsticks.market/
■List of 4 organizations making lightning pitches (in no particular order)
In addition, four companies selected through Blooming Ups , a collaborative acceleration program with this contest that has been running since May 2025, also took to the stage for a lightning pitch, attracting attention along with the main event as an opportunity for startup buds to blossom.
Craftsmanship Co., Ltd. <br>A kimono recycling service that combines artisan skills and local resources to preserve idle assets.
https://c-ship.co.jp/
Furudono Laboratory Co., Ltd. <br>Personalized drink server for offices
https://kodonolabo-inc.com/
nu. Co., Ltd.
Thread becomes the interface, creating a new and moving experience through the fusion of digital and physical experience
https://www.nuu-nu.com/
RIDE DESIGN
The Lunar Exploration Bike Project aims to save lives on Earth by taking on the harshest environment in space
https://www.innovation-osaka.jp/ja/library/library-10792/
■ Judges (titles omitted, in no particular order)
The judges were four key figures with unique perspectives in both economics and culture.
[Judges]
ASO Yoichi
Entrepreneurial artist and painter / Representative director of the Entrepreneur Art Association / Founder, President and CEO of AlphaDrive Inc.
DOHDA Takeaki
Invest in Skåne Sweden, Senior Advisor / Strategic Partnership Startups & AI Google Cloud Google, Head of Venture Capital Business Development
TOYAMA Masamichi
CEO of Smiles Co., Ltd. / CEO of The Chain Museum Co., Ltd.
HIROSE Fuminori
Director and COO of ZOZO Inc.
[Sakura Internet Award Judges]
TANAKA Kunihiro
President and CEO of Sakura Internet Co., Ltd.
[ARTLOGUE Award Jury]
SUZUKI Daisuke
CEO of ARTLOGUE Inc. / General Producer of the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival
■Event Overview
[Event Overview]
● Event name: StARTs UPs 2025
● Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 11:00-16:00
● Venue: Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center) 12th floor
● Speakers: 8 finalists who passed the final selection and 4 organizations selected from Blooming Ups
【the purpose】
1. The aim is to develop and expand the culture, arts and entertainment market and create jobs through support for target companies.
2. Increase awareness and understanding of the arts, culture, and entertainment market, and create momentum while increasing the number of people involved.
[Business contest application participation conditions]
The program was open to applications from both within Japan and overseas, and companies that met the following criteria were invited to apply.
- Companies that aim to develop and expand the creative economy market, such as culture, arts, and entertainment, and to create jobs.
- Applications are open to start-up companies (regardless of series) or new corporate ventures.
[Process from public call to final pitch]
- Application period: Thursday, February 13, 2025 - Monday, March 31, 2025 23:59
- Application method and target: Applications are accepted nationwide via the internet. Applications are open to companies aiming to create and expand markets in the creative economy, regardless of the series.
- Finalists selected by the judges: Early April 2025
- Total number of applicants: 77 companies (16 of which are from overseas)
- Number of selected companies (granted final pitch opportunity): 8 companies
- Art Accelerator Program "Blooming UPs" implemented: Late April to early July 2025. This program is open to teams selected as finalists. They received mentoring from experts in the creative economy.
- The organizers matched the mentors with the selected companies, and they prepared for their pitch presentations through repeated mentoring.
- Final Pitch Contest: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
[Examination and evaluation points]
1. The creativity and originality of the business itself
2. Scalability and sustainability of the business model
3. Contribution to the culture, arts and leisure industry
4. The impact of your ideas and work on the local community
5. Business feasibility
6. Presentation skills
[Organizer] Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee (ARTLOGUE Inc.)
[Sponsor] Sakura Internet Co., Ltd.
[Cooperation] Creww Co., Ltd.
[Collaboration] Japan Startup Support Association, Creww Korea Co., Ltd., and others
■Inquiries and official information
Official website: https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/starts-ups
For inquiries, please contact: StARTs UPs Office (ARTLOGUE Inc.) or Art Festival Office
E-mail: study.kouhou@artlogue.org
■Company Overview
ARTLOGUE Inc.
- Representative: Daisuke Suzuki, CEO of ARTLOGUE Inc.
- Head office location: Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Date of establishment: July 7, 2017
- Business details: Planning and management of "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival" / Planning and management of web media such as "ARTLOGUE" and "Art Tourism"