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Call for Applicants: TCIC IP INNOVATION AWARD (TIIA) 2025

The Tokyo Content Incubation Center (TCIC), run by Tsukuria Inc. under the jurisdiction of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is thrilled to announce the start of the application process for the TCIC IP INNOVATION AWARD (TIIA) 2025. This competition aims to recognize and nurture outstanding business plans based on attractive IP ideas, especially targeted at startups gradually refining their business models.

An online business briefing session will be conducted on September 17, which features a keynote speech by renowned entertainment sociologist, Jun Akiyama. This session will cover the program details and the TCIC Ideation Program 2025, an acceleration initiative focused on business commercialization of content IP ideas.

Background and Purpose of the Initiative

In recent years, Japan's content industry has gained significant attention as a driving force for economic growth, positioning itself as one of the key industries alongside manufacturing and tourism. Startups within the content sector are expected to achieve rapid growth through the effective use of their unique IP and expression techniques, along with digital platforms. Therefore, a supportive environment for social implementation and fundraising challenges is essential.

To foster these startups, TCIC is organizing this innovative business plan competition to honor and promote remarkable plans centered on enticing IP concepts, contributing to the broadening of the entrepreneurial landscape in the content industry, and uncovering new entrepreneur classes.

What is TCIC IP INNOVATION AWARD (TIIA) 2025?

The competition will consist of document review and presentation assessments to select outstanding business plans based on IP ideas for commendation. For finalists, TCIC will offer knowledge necessary for further business model development, hypothesis testing, and company establishment, as well as networking opportunities to facilitate matching with VCs and content industry companies.

Key Benefits:

1. Business Model Enhancement: Participants successfully passing reviews will receive support from TCIC incubation managers and mentors to refine their business plans and increase their pitching skills. Workshops will also be conducted for company establishment and business expansion.
2. Networking Opportunities: For those who advance, a forum will be made available to present their pruned business plans, allowing them to connect with each other, mentors, and seasoned entrepreneurs associated with TCIC.
3. Attractive Prizes: Winners of the competition will receive:
- Grand Prize: ¥3,000,000
- Excellence Award: ¥1,500,000
- Mentorship support for fundraising endeavors
- A year of access to TCIC coworking space

Schedule

The planned itinerary for the competition is as follows:
1. Preliminary Selection: Document review based on application forms and collateral materials.
- Notification of Results: Early November 2025.

Enhancement Period:

i) Orientation: An overview of the second and final selection rounds and preparation points, explaining necessary pitch deck creation.
- Date: Early November 2025
- Format: Online (tentative)

ii) Business Mentoring: Feedback on application documents and advice for building pitches will be provided by TCIC incubation managers.
- Duration: Early to late November 2025
- Format: Online (tentative)

2. Second Selection: Presentation review in a physical format (non-public).
- Date: Early December 2025
- Location: TCIC, 14F Sunbright Twin, Nakano, Tokyo
- Notification of Results: Early December 2025.

3. Final Selection Round: Public presentation reviews.
- Date: March 2026.
- Format: Physical location (tentative)
- Results Notification: Same day.

Awards:

1. Grand Award (1 individual): The best plan chosen by the judges based on originality and business viability.
2. Excellence Awards (2 individuals): Awards recognizing unique ideas and business models rooted in IP potential.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants include:

• - Corporations operating within Tokyo (under 10 years old) or individual entrepreneurs
• - Those who fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

a. Have original IP ideas and are considering establishment or expansion of their business.
b. Do not have IP ideas yet but have business concepts and are considering starting or expanding their business.

A detailed list of further qualification conditions is available on the application guideline document.

Application Period

From September 1, 2025, to October 23, 2025, at 5 PM.

How to Apply

Interested parties should complete the application form available on the official website and submit it via email. Additional documents can also be provided for reference purposes during review.

Online Briefing and Keynote Session

When: September 17, 2025, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM
For further details and registration, please check the official site.

Featured Speaker:

• - Jun Akiyama, Entertainment Sociologist

Founder and CEO of Re Entertainment, advisor, and advocate for international expansion of content industries.

Main Organizer

Tokyo Content Incubation Center (TCIC)
Located at Nakano, Tokyo, TCIC serves as a startup support facility dedicated to the content-related industries, aimed at revitalizing and promoting the growth of Japan's content sector.

For Inquiries

For any questions regarding this release, please contact:
TCIC Operations Office
Address: 14F Sunbright Twin, 2-46-1 Honmachi, Nakano, Tokyo 164-0012
Contact: Yoichi Ito
Phone: 03-3383-4616
Email: [email protected]