#Japan #Innovation #Osaka #Filament Inc. #BizCon Awards

BizCon AWARDS 2026: A Celebration of In-House Innovation

On June 10, 2026, Filament Inc., an Osaka-based company dedicated to supporting new business ventures for large organizations, hosted the second edition of the BizCon AWARDS. This event recognized the vital role of secretariats that manage internal business contests, drawing participants from 71 companies and featuring 158 secretariat representatives. The awards presented insights from 21 companies through presentations and discussions focused on innovative business initiatives.

Event Overview

The BizCon AWARDS 2026 took place at the Minato Ward Industry Promotion Center Hall. With the support of partners such as ASCII STARTUP and CNET Japan, the event highlighted the best practices in internal business contest management. Participants were eager to share their experiences of system design, fostering challengers, engaging the workforce, and strategic paths toward business realization.

During the conference, six finalists were chosen from 24 entries for delivering presentations on their unique approaches to running their in-house business contests. Here’s a brief overview of the standout finalists:

• - Casio Computer Co., Ltd. - IBP (Idea Booster Program): Emphasizes a sustainable operation by allowing each employee to utilize a percentage of their time for innovation without a dedicated secretariat.
• - JTB Corporation - JUMP: Features a structured program, ‘nextender,’ based on challenge and knowledge cycles, ensuring applicants feel supported and motivated to participate.
• - Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. - HIRAKU: Simplified the application process and strategically utilizes existing business assets to promote successful innovations.
• - Chiyoda Corporation - F1 PROJECT: Addressed challenges in long-term commitment by incorporating their contest into personnel evaluation systems.
• - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - IGNITION: Integrated a venture capital perspective into their evaluation process and provided thorough support to applicants.
• - Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. - Asu ni wa: Developed a unique internal entrepreneur support system encouraging employees to engage in entrepreneurship and investment.

Roundtable Discussion on Best Practices

A cross-talk featuring representatives from the six finalist companies shed light on the role of secretariats in system design and support for challengers. The discussion revealed unique approaches to enhancing engagement and facilitating change within corporate culture. Each company's philosophy on running their programs was shared in depth, uncovering the complexities behind decision-making processes and strategies for optimizing internal contests.

The Winning Strategies

The event's deliberation identified JTB's JUMP as the best initiative, recognizing its long-standing commitment to refining its program amidst challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, two special commendations were awarded to Daito Trust and Rohto Pharmaceutical for their innovative approaches to integrating cultural and organizational strategies into their business contests.

The Importance of Community and Learning

Following the formal presentations, an informal networking session facilitated further knowledge sharing among secretariat representatives. This aspect of the awards highlighted the significance of collaboration and support among various companies, reflecting the collective effort toward innovation.

Closing Thoughts

The BizCon AWARDS serves not merely as a celebration of achievements but as a catalyst for companies aspiring to enhance their internal business ventures. By sharing stories of persistence and creativity, the awards aim to inspire other organizations to adopt similar practices and overcome hurdles in their innovation journeys. Filament Inc. emphasized the importance of continual learning and adaptation, underlining that success in the realm of business contests does not adhere to a one-size-fits-all model. As companies continue to adjust to the ever-evolving marketplace, initiatives like the BizCon AWARDS will remain instrumental in fostering an environment of growth and transformation.