Student Entrepreneurship Contest SPIKES Pitch Announces Winner with Investment Opportunity up to 1 Billion Yen!

Nahat Inc. Awards Top Student Entrepreneur at SPIKES Pitch

Nahat Inc., headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, has made headlines by participating as the main partner in the prestigious SPIKES Pitch in IVS2026, a student entrepreneurship pitch contest held on July 2, 2026, at the Miyakomesse in Kyoto City. The event aimed to provide a serious platform for young entrepreneurs rather than merely a forum for showcasing student presentations.

During this vibrant contest, twelve selected student entrepreneurs demonstrated their ventures, competing for an exceptional prize – a chance for an investment of up to 1 billion yen. Leading the evaluation process was Nahat’s CEO, Yuki Adachi, who served as a top judge among a panel that included esteemed figures from various industries.

Event Details

The contest, part of the mega-startup conference IVS2026, was designed to challenge participants to deliver compelling pitches, thereby transforming student ideas into serious business opportunities. The evaluation consisted of a dual structure, incorporating a direct score from five top judges on a 100-point scale and an audience vote from approximately 50 venture capitalists and investors in attendance.

Judging Panel

The judging panel was composed of notable experts from the business world, including:

- Yuki Adachi (Nahat Inc.)
- Keiji Kameyama (DMM.com)
- Keisuke Kogure (Mint)
- Shunki Kubo (ABABA)
- Eri Fukuda (SHE Inc.)

The competition was fierce, with participants given just six minutes each to present their ideas, highlighting their market potential, product uniqueness, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Winner Announcement

The title of the winner was bestowed upon Ai Funada, CEO of Zashitra, Inc., who presented an innovative AI-driven skills transfer platform called TUGUMI. Ai’s venture aims to revolutionize the manufacturing sector, addressing a critical need for skill development within an aging workforce.

Prize Details

In recognition of her outstanding pitch, Ai received the opportunity for significant investment from Nahat Inc., with a potential funding of up to 1 billion yen subject to future evaluations and discussions. While the investment isn't guaranteed, it marks a significant milestone for any budding entrepreneur.

Comments from the Winner

In a moment of gratitude, Ai Funada expressed her appreciation, stating, “I am truly honored to receive such an incredible award. We will continue to value our connections with industry professionals and strive to provide solutions that benefit both households and businesses.”

Insights from Nahat's CEO

Yuki Adachi congratulated Ai Funada on her achievement, saying, “Congratulations, Ms. Funada! Your pitch exemplified not just a response to Japan's aging society but a fervent passion to make a positive impact on society. Witnessing the energy of young entrepreneurs willing to take on challenges is incredibly exciting and inspiring.” He further noted the importance of supporting these emerging leaders to foster future growth in the economy.

About Nahat Inc.

Nahat prides itself on being a transformative marketing firm committed to the mission “Create Drama.” The company leverages marketing to fuel business growth, branching out beyond traditional advertising and social media support. Nahat is active in D2C operations, retail management, and consulting, striving to deliver exceptional strategic and product insights that lead to exponential growth. Their long-term vision is ambitious, aiming for a corporate entity serving 3,000 people with a 200 billion yen valuation by 2040.

To learn more about Nahat Inc., visit their official website for detailed insights into their innovative initiatives.