AICHI LANDING PAD 2025

Program Policy

※In the event this agreement is viewed in a language other than Japanese, the Japanese version shall prevail. Any translated versions are provided for reference only, and in the case of discrepancies, the Japanese version shall be deemed authoritative.

This program is sponsored by the Aichi Prefectural Government, located at 3-1-2 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan (hereinafter referred to as the “Sponsor”).

The purpose of the following rules is to define the terms and conditions for applicants to participate in the program. By participating in this program, applicants are deemed to have fully and unconditionally agreed to comply with these rules. If an applicant does not agree to any part of these rules, they must refrain from registering for or submitting an entry to this program.

• Application Period

The application period for this Program* begins at 00:00 JST on June 16, 2025, and ends at 17:00 JST on August 8, 2025. The Program is hosted on the dedicated program website “Aichi Landing Pad 2025,” operated via Agorize at https://aichi-landing-pad.agorize.com/en/challenges/edition-2025, which is accessible 24 hours a day throughout the application period. All dates and times referenced in these Rules are in Japan Standard Time (JST).

*For a full overview of the Program, please refer to Section 7 of this document.

• Compliance with the Rules

Eligible individuals who register on the program website and apply to participate in the Program must review and agree to these Rules. By accessing and accepting these Rules, you:

1. Enter into a valid and legally binding contractual relationship with the Sponsor in relation to your participation in the Program. Such registration does not establish any hierarchical or subordinate relationship between the Sponsor and the Participant.
2. Agree to fully and unconditionally comply with these Rules. Participants shall indicate their consent by checking the appropriate box during the online registration process.

Failure to comply with these Rules will result in immediate disqualification from the Program, and the Participant will forfeit any right to receive support. Furthermore, the Sponsor reserves the right to revoke the eligibility of any applicant or participant at any stage of the Program should their actions be deemed disruptive to the smooth operation of the Program. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who object to the progress of the Program, disturb the order, defame others, or engage in conduct or speech that causes inconvenience to other participants. 

• Program Registration and Participation 

To participate in the Program, a completed entry must be submitted by 17:00 JST on August 8, 2025.

To register, participants must first create a user account on the Program website and accurately and truthfully provide the required information, including their full name and email address.

Registrations based on inaccurate, false, or incomplete information will result in disqualification. Refusal to allow the collection, recording, or use of personal data strictly necessary for the operation of the Program will also result in disqualification. Participants bear full responsibility for the information provided at the time of registration. Any intentional or unintentional errors, anomalies, or inconsistencies in this information may lead to disqualification. The Sponsor reserves the right to carry out any necessary verification of a participant’s identity, address, and email address.

Deletion of a participant's user account on the Program website will be regarded as a withdrawal from the Program. In such cases, regardless of whether the deletion is the result of the participant’s own actions, the individual will not be permitted to continue participating in the Program or to receive any support.

During both the account creation and registration processes, participants must agree to these Rules, the Terms of Use, and the Privacy Policy.

Registration and participation in the Program are free of charge; no purchase or payment is required. However, if selected for the Program, participants are responsible for covering all expenses incurred during their travel to Japan and their stay, including accommodation, meals, and other related costs.

• Eligibility

Participation in this Program is open to the following: 

• Startups：Legal business entities, regardless of sector. At the sole discretion of the Sponsor, startups may be required to provide proof of company registration by submitting (i) a certificate of incorporation issued within the past three (3) months, evidence of ongoing registration, or an extract from the commercial register in their country of incorporation; and (ii) valid professional liability insurance coverage. 

Prior to awarding any prizes or support, participants may be required to submit all necessary documentation to verify their eligibility (e.g., personal identification, proof of company registration).

This Program is void in any country where it is prohibited or restricted by law.

• Purpose of the Program and Participation

Participation in the Program is intended for representatives or employees of startup companies.

Startup participants shall participate in the Program on behalf of a legally recognized business entity. During the registration process, each startup participant must designate a company representative as the primary contact for communication with the Sponsor. This individual will be responsible for registering the startup and participating in the challenge on its behalf. As a startup participating in this challenge, you represent and warrant to the Sponsor that: (i) the designated individual is an authorized representative of the startup and is participating in the challenge on its behalf; and (ii) all necessary approvals have been obtained from persons authorized to grant rights to intellectual property for participation in the challenge.

The objectives of the Program are as follows:

(i) To select startups during the screening period that possess technologies, proposals, or solutions meeting the requirements defined by the Sponsor in the theme/category overview, and that have a high degree of business affinity with companies based in Aichi Prefecture.

(ii) To support the business expansion in Japan of the startups selected in (i). Specifically, this may include support such as business matching with companies located in Aichi Prefecture and the provision of mentoring to the startups.

Information regarding the theme/category overview, deadlines, support details, and Sponsor requirements is available through the Program website.

• Submissions

To apply for the Program, participants may upload all documents or other materials (including text, presentation files, videos, etc.) related to the introduction of their business or solution in connection with the program themes and categories established by the Sponsor (hereinafter referred to as “Submission(s)”).

Submissions must:
(i) Address the challenges stated in the program overview and theme/category descriptions;
(ii) Be in one of the following digital formats: PDF, PPT, PPTX, or MP4; and
(iii) Be written in either English or Japanese.

Submissions that cannot be downloaded, are in an incorrect format, are incompatible, or are illegible will be disqualified.

Submissions must be prepared with the following considerations:

• Submissions must be the original work of the startup.

• If content from third parties is used in the development of the Submission, the participant is deemed to have obtained all necessary rights, permissions, and agreements. Any Submission found to include unapproved contributions from third parties may result in disqualification of the Submission and the related participant.

• No other individual and/or entity may claim any rights related to the use of the Submission.

• The content of the Submission must not infringe or violate the rights of any third party or entity, including but not limited to intellectual property rights, privacy rights, competition laws, confidentiality obligations, or contractual or non-contractual rights. Any Submission suspected of violating applicable laws or third-party rights will be deemed ineligible.

Participants shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of their Submissions. Participants assume all risk for any damage to, loss of, delay in, incompleteness of, invalidity of, inaccuracy in, or misdelivery of their Submissions.

• Program Phases

The Program consists of six phases:

• Application Phase: Entries and submissions will be accepted from 00:00 JST on June 16, 2025, to 17:00 JST on August 8, 2025. 
• First Screening Phase: Following a rigorous review process, approximately 30 startups will be selected as provisional qualifiers. The results of this first screening are scheduled to be announced around Wednesday, August 20, 2025. 
• Second Screening Phase: Startups that pass the first screening will be asked to reserve a pitch slot on a first-come, first-served basis between 09:00 and 19:00 JST on September 1, 3, and 5. Sponsors and partner companies will attend each startup's online pitch session and conduct a Q&A. Approximately 15 selected startups will be announced around Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
• Pre-Arrival Preparation Phase: From Wednesday, October 1 to Sunday, November 2, 2025, selected startups will prepare for their visit to Japan by creating Japanese-language materials, identifying potential business partners, and participating in preliminary online matching activities.
• Matching Phase: Startups exhibiting at MESSE NAGOYA are required to stay in Aichi Prefecture from Monday, November 3 to Friday, November 14, 2025. For startups not exhibiting, the required stay period is from Monday, November 10 to Friday, November 14, 2025. Selected startups will be provided with opportunities to participate in both online and offline events, as well as matching services with local companies.
• Follow-up Phase: Until March 31, 2026, this phase will focus on supporting collaborations between the selected startups and Japanese companies formed during the Matching Phase.

Entry and Submissions: If a participant fails to upload their entry and submission to the Program website by the specified deadline, such failure will be regarded as a withdrawal from the Program. In such cases, the participant will not be permitted to continue participating in the Program and will not be eligible to receive any support from the Sponsor.

Selection Criteria: Entries and submissions will be evaluated based on the selection criteria outlined below. Participants acknowledge that creativity and capability in addressing the challenges described in the program themes and categories will be part of the evaluation. This Program is not based on chance or luck and must not be construed as a lottery or other speculative activity. Under no circumstances will factors such as appearance, religion, labor union affiliation, political opinion, or sexual orientation be considered in the selection process.

Notification to Participants: Upon completion of each selection phase, participants will be notified of the results by email, phone, or another method of communication designated for each phase. In the event of an unexpectedly high number of applicants, the Sponsor reserves the right to adjust the result announcement dates. Startups selected by the Second Selection Committee will be publicly announced on the designated announcement date and identified as official participants in the Program.

1. Application Phase

The application period for entries and submissions begins at 00:00 JST on June 16, 2025, and all entries must be submitted by 17:00 JST on August 8, 2025.

An early application incentive period is available. Startups that complete their entry by 10:00 JST on June 2, 2025, may receive support from the Sponsor and designated contractors, including responses to questions and feedback on how to improve their submissions.

In addition to the specifications outlined in Section 6, submissions must include a pitch deck containing the following:

1. What problem is the startup aiming to solve?
2. How does the product/service work?
3. What is the revenue model?
4. Who are the competitors?
5. Traction to date (particularly in the Japanese market)
6. Team composition
7. Any additional products or services offered (if applicable)

The Application Phase will be followed by the First Screening Phase, as described below.

1. First Screening Phase

Document screening based on the selection criteria will be conducted from the close of the application period until approximately August 20, 2025. The results of the first screening are scheduled to be announced around Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

Eligible voters (including the Sponsor, designated contractors, the Agorize community, and judges appointed by the Sponsor and contractors) will evaluate and select entries based on the following criteria:

1. Innovation: Is the technology new or an innovative application of existing technology? Is it clearly differentiated in the market?
2. Feasibility: Does an MVP exist? Is the service/product well-developed?
3. Market Potential: Is the market large? Is there an untapped market or clear advantage for market expansion?
4. Clarity: Does the proposal clearly explain its societal, business, or industrial impact?
5. Affinity with Aichi-based companies: How important does the startup consider establishing a presence in Aichi for business development? Is the startup proactive about collaborating with local companies?
6. Fit with Aichi companies’ challenges: Does the proposal or solution align with specific business challenges, needs, or use cases of Aichi-based companies?

Unless otherwise specified, approximately 30 top-scoring startups will pass the first screening and proceed to the Second Screening Phase.

Startups engaging in fraudulent activity, using fake profiles, unauthorized third-party applications, or participating under multiple identities, as determined by the Sponsor, will be disqualified and ineligible for any support. The Sponsor's decision regarding disqualification is final and may not be contested by other participants.

1. Second Screening Phase

Startups that pass the first screening will be notified via the email address provided during registration. If a participant fails to confirm their pitch slot within five (5) business days of receiving the notification, the organizer (or Sponsor) reserves the right to revoke the startup's eligibility to participate in the Program.

The organizer and designated contractors shall bear no responsibility for any loss or damage incurred by the participant as a result of such revocation.

Pitch contests will be held on September 1, 3, and 5, 2025, between 09:00 and 19:00 JST. Participants will be required to reserve their pitch slots on a first-come, first-served basis using a third-party scheduling tool.

Applicants are required to keep multiple time slots available on those days to ensure scheduling flexibility.

Based on the results of the pitch contest, approximately 15 startups will be selected for adoption into the Program. Of these, around 5 startups will be offered free exhibition opportunities at “MESSE NAGOYA,” one of Japan’s largest cross-industry trade shows.

The announcement of selected startups is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

1. Pre-Arrival Preparation Phase

During this phase, the following preparatory activities will be carried out:

• Refinement of pitch materials and provision of mentoring
• Preliminary online matching with Aichi-based companies expected to participate
• Appointment-setting efforts leveraging partner companies and platforms such as LinkedIn and other relevant media

Startups scheduled to exhibit at trade shows will also use this period to enhance the quality of their exhibits. Specific tasks may include preparing exhibition materials, assembling demonstration kits, and creating Japanese-language brochures.

In addition, participants are required to complete membership registration with STATION Ai, Japan’s largest open innovation hub, to receive various forms of support provided by the facility.

Note: Selected startups will be exempt from the STATION Ai membership screening process and may register remotely free of charge.

Participants requiring a visa for entry into Japan must complete all necessary procedures during this phase. If the organizer or its designated contractor requests the participant’s name, contact information, nationality/region, or other relevant information for the preparation of an invitation letter, the participant is obligated to provide such information promptly.

The organizer and designated contractors shall bear no responsibility for any damages or liabilities arising from a participant being denied entry into Japan due to visa issues or related circumstances.

1. Matching Phase

Selected startups are required to participate in various events organized by the Sponsor, including online seminars, online pitch sessions, and in-person Demo Day and matching events held at innovation-related facilities within Aichi Prefecture.

Startups must remain in Japan during the designated mandatory stay period from November 3 to November 14, 2025. During this time, each startup will be provided with up to two seats at STATION Ai, Japan’s largest startup support hub.

Designated Stay Periods:

• For startups exhibiting at MESSE NAGOYA: November 3 (Mon) – November 14 (Fri), 2025
• For startups not exhibiting: November 10 (Mon) – November 14 (Fri), 2025

Planned events during this phase include:

Date	Event Name	Overview	Format
October 2025 (TBD)	Startup Education Seminar	Introduction to Aichi Prefecture’s startup ecosystem, Japanese business customs, and matching services	Online
November 3–4, 2025	MESSE NAGOYA Exhibition Preparation	Briefing for exhibiting startups and setup at the venue	In person
November 5–7, 2025	MESSE NAGOYA Exhibition	Exhibition support provided for approximately 5 startups, including sales representation and booth assistance	In person
November 10–14, 2025	Additional Events (to be confirmed)	Scheduled events include site visits to Aichi-based companies, and networking with corporate partners, public institutions, and investors	In person
November 11, 2025	Demo Day	Startups present their proposals and technologies/solutions, and showcase their business matching outcomes	In person
November 13, 2025	Matching Event	Business matching support event between Aichi-based companies and startups	In person
November 14, 2025	Unveiling Event & Farewell Dinner	Final day of the program includes achievement presentations by participating startups and a farewell dinner	In person

The Sponsor reserves the right to modify the number, content, and schedule of the above-mentioned events.

1. Follow-up Phase

Following the conclusion of the Matching Phase, a follow-up period will continue until the end of March 2026, during which the following support may be provided as needed:

• Assistance with arranging additional meetings and introductions for further business matching with Japanese companies
• Operational support, including handling inquiries and coordinating communications

Supporters will continue to follow up on business leads generated during the Program. In particular, until discussions toward collaboration become concrete, bilingual supporters will attend meetings to facilitate discussions and provide language support.

In addition, if a participating startup returns to Japan after the Program to exhibit at trade shows or other events held in Aichi Prefecture, on-site exhibition support may be offered upon request.

8. Communication and Publicity

Participants agree and consent that the Sponsor may use the following items during and after the Program for promotional purposes (including advertising and other marketing activities of the Sponsor), whether for free or for compensation, and through known or yet-to-be-developed media formats such as websites, advertisement banners, social networks, newsletters, and press releases.

Participants agree that the Sponsor may use the following information for communication and publicity purposes: participant’s name; city and region of residence; name of the institution where the participant studied or is currently studying; other biographical information; photographs; information related to support provided to selected startups; name and identifiers (e.g., company logo) of the participant’s company; other personal data; personal verbal or written comments; as well as content from submissions or materials created during the Program (e.g., use cases).

For example, each participant permits the Sponsor to distribute photos taken during all Program events through any communication channel.

Such use does not entitle participants to any form of compensation.

9. Confidentiality

The Sponsor is under no obligation to maintain the confidentiality of information contained in the submissions. By submitting a submission, participants acknowledge, agree, and accept that the information may be publicly disclosed by the Sponsor.

In the event a participant is selected, the Sponsor may require the execution of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to engage in further discussions regarding business development. Such NDAs may cover the submissions and all intellectual property contained therein.

Furthermore, participants acknowledge that companies introduced during the Matching Phase may currently or in the future independently develop or receive from third parties products, concepts, systems, services, or technologies similar to those in the participant’s submission. Nothing in these Rules shall prevent the Sponsor from independently or through third parties developing or acquiring similar or competing products, concepts, systems, services, or technologies.

Participants also recognize that content provided or made public by other participants, individuals, or organizations to the Sponsor or others—now or in the future—may be identical or similar to elements contained in another entry. Accordingly, participants acknowledge and agree that the Sponsor shall have the right to use such identical or similar materials and that participants are not entitled to compensation from such use.

10. Intellectual Property

Definitions:

• "Intellectual Property" refers to inventions, ideas, new plant varieties, designs, works of authorship, and other creations arising from human creativity (including discoveries or elucidations of natural laws or phenomena with industrial applicability), as well as trademarks, trade names, and trade secrets or other technical or business information useful for commercial activities.
• "Intellectual Property Rights" refer to patent rights, utility model rights, breeder’s rights, design rights, copyrights, trademark rights, and any other rights or legally protected interests defined by applicable laws.
• "Pre-Existing Rights" means any intellectual property rights or related know-how owned by the participant prior to the Program start date.
• "Work Product" refers to any software (including source and object code), databases, technical specifications, texts, designs, models, information, knowledge, methods, processes, or products developed by the participant during the Program, including any element or process that may be protected under national or international intellectual property laws or treaties and submitted as part of the entry.

Non-Infringement Warranty:

At all stages of the Program, participants warrant that they are the sole and/or joint owners of the intellectual property contained in their submissions and that they have obtained all necessary rights and permissions to submit any work product or related content in which they do not own the relevant rights.

Each participant further warrants that:
(i) Their contributions are original and unprecedented;
(ii) Their contributions do not infringe upon any third-party copyrights or other intellectual property rights;
(iii) All elements comprising their submission and all contributions and information described in presentation documents are accurate, reliable, and complete;
(iv) Their submission does not constitute an act of unfair competition of any kind.

Participants are required to clearly indicate the source of any pre-existing work product or materials included in their submission. Submissions involving multiple participants will be treated as collaborative works and must comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Liability:

The Sponsor shall bear no responsibility for any infringement of the above provisions by participants. Each participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sponsor from any interference, claims, disputes, or attempts at disqualification made by third parties in connection with the development of any work product (including intellectual property rights).

Submission of work products and participation in the Program does not grant the Sponsor ownership rights over any intellectual property contained in the submission. The Sponsor will not claim ownership of such intellectual property. However, the participant grants the Sponsor a usage right for communication and publicity purposes related to future editions of the Program, in accordance with Section 8 of these Rules.

11. Amendments to the Rules, Program Suspension, and Termination

Amendments to the Rules: The Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Rules at any time, including without prior notice to participants, when deemed necessary for operational purposes. Participants are encouraged to review these Rules periodically. By participating, participants expressly waive any claims or disputes arising from any changes made to these Rules by the Sponsor.

If any provision of these Rules is deemed illegal, unenforceable, or invalid by a court of law, such provision shall be considered null and void but shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall continue to be effective to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Program Suspension or Termination: The Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to (i) cancel, terminate, amend, or suspend the Program and/or these Rules at any time and for any reason, without incurring any liability; and (ii) restrict or limit participation in the Program. The Sponsor shall not be held liable for any modifications, cancellations, or suspensions of the Program, and participants shall not be entitled to any compensation or remuneration.

12. Limitation of Liability

The Sponsor shall bear no responsibility for any damage resulting from a participant’s inability to access the Program website due to communication network failures or malfunctions.

Participants agree that the Sponsor shall not be held liable for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind (including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages), and agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor from any claims, liabilities, or causes of action. This includes but is not limited to personal injuries or death. The Program website and all related content are provided “as is,” with no warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations or exclusions of liability for incidental or consequential damages or implied warranties. In such cases, the above limitations and exclusions shall apply only to the extent permitted by applicable law.

By participating in the Program, participants acknowledge and accept the inherent characteristics, limitations, and risks associated with the Internet and related technologies—particularly with regard to performance, response time, cybersecurity threats (e.g., viruses, trojans, logic bombs), and data loss or misuse. Accordingly, the Sponsor shall not be held responsible for any damage incurred by participants as a result of such risks.

The Sponsor shall not be responsible for delays, malfunctions, or failures in the submission of entries or email communications, or for submissions rejected due to late or altered content not attributable to the Sponsor.

The Sponsor shall not be held liable for any damages arising from services provided by third parties in connection with business support.

The Sponsor shall not be responsible for any consequences arising from the disqualification of participants who violate these Rules.

13. Personal Data Protection

Participation in the Program requires the transmission of personal data (hereinafter "Personal Data") by the participant.

The Sponsor will process Personal Data in accordance with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (Act No. 57 of 2003) and will limit its use strictly to the following purposes:

• As deemed necessary by the Sponsor for the execution of the Program
• For identifying, communicating with, and maintaining records of participants for coordination between the participant and the Sponsor

The Sponsor and the Program operator commit to implementing organizational and technical security measures to protect all participants' Personal Data.

14. Claims

Any claim related to the Program must be submitted within 30 days of the Program’s end date to [JPABAICHIGSUDL@abeam.com].

All claims must include the following:
(i) Full contact details of the participant (name, address, email, and phone number)
(ii) The name of the Program
(iii) A clear and detailed explanation of the claim

15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

The Program and all related matters shall be governed by the laws of Japan.

If a dispute persists for more than 15 days following the submission of a claim by the participant, both the Sponsor and the participant agree to engage in amicable mediation before initiating legal proceedings. The party initiating mediation shall notify the other party of its intention and the cause of the dispute via registered mail with delivery confirmation. If an agreement is not reached within 30 days of receipt, either party may resume independent legal action.

In the event of continued disagreement regarding the interpretation or application of the Rules, and if no amicable resolution is reached, any dispute arising between the parties shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Japan, which the parties expressly agree to. This applies regardless of the number of defendants, the nature of the procedure (e.g., summary proceedings, third-party intervention), or the jurisdictional rules in place.