#Japan #Tokyo #AI cloud #Social Innovation #Semmoto Award

Celebrating Innovation: The Inaugural Semmoto Award Winners

The first edition of the Semmoto Award, established by the nonprofit Semmoto Foundation, took place on October 18, 2025, in Tokyo. This business competition aims to support young entrepreneurs who are paving the way for future innovations in the fields of artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and social advancements. This year, six exemplary candidates were awarded for their contributions, showcasing technological prowess and social impact.

Overview of the Semmoto Award

Founded in 2025, the Semmoto Award seeks to foster innovative entrepreneurial endeavors in two major divisions: AI and semiconductors, and green and social initiatives. The award recognizes a select group of entrepreneurs each year who are dedicated to solving societal challenges and creating new value. The distinguished panel of judges includes prominent figures from academia and industry, ensuring a fair and rigorous selection process.

Award Categories and Winners

AI and Semiconductors Division

• - Grand Prize: Ryoichi Takahashi of Acompany

- Project: A high-speed, encrypted AI cloud service that enables businesses to utilize confidential data without decrypting it. By leveraging next-generation cryptography, this service ensures that AI applications can be deployed while maintaining data protection and adhering to regulatory standards.
- Website: Acompany

• - Excellence Awards:

- Takahiro Kojima of Zaimo Co., Ltd.
- Project: Developing a management AI agent aimed at becoming the global de facto standard for management control, facilitating tasks such as financial modeling and reporting.
- Website: Zaimo
- Kazuki Kunimoto of Freecracy Co., Ltd.
- Project: Introducing 'TalentsForce', an intelligent system that visualizes and optimizes employee skills for talent management, allowing real-time decision-making.
- Website: Freecracy

Green and Social Division

• - Grand Prize: Koga Nakai of Cross Medicine Co., Ltd.

- Project: An app called 'awababy' that analyzes baby cries using AI to provide parents with insights about their infant's emotions and coping strategies, aiming to reduce postpartum depression and parenting stress.
- Website: awababy

• - Excellence Awards:

- Kenta Murakami of EduCare Co., Ltd.
- Project: Aiming to create a new banking service focused on supporting education financing, tailored to not only students but also ensuring their future potential is considered in the lending process.
- Website: EduCare
- Yuki Nakagawa of AYA Non-Profit Organization
- Project: Providing inclusive film screenings for children with illnesses or disabilities, ensuring accessibility and comfort during movie events.
- Website: AYA

The Award Ceremony

The ceremony took place at a prestigious venue in Tokyo, attended by members of the Semmoto Foundation, sponsors, and guests including current and former scholarship recipients. The winners presented their projects, engaging with the audience in a dialogue about their innovative ideas and future plans.

Looking Ahead

The Semmoto Foundation will support the Grand Prize recipients with a year-long mentoring program designed to foster their growth and potential further. The next Semmoto Award cycle is set to open for applications in April 2026.

About the Semmoto Foundation

Located in Shibuya, Tokyo, the Semmoto Foundation was established in 2017, focusing on providing scholarships to students across the Asia-Pacific region, and recognizing significant entrepreneurial activities in crucial sectors. For more details about its operations, visit Semmoto Official Site.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding the Semmoto Award, please reach out to Akane Ito at the Semmoto Foundation via email at [email protected] or call +81 3-6820-4673.