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The G-CHALLENGE 2025 Final Selection: A New Horizon for Entrepreneurs

On February 1, 2025, GLOBIS Graduate School of Management hosted the final selection of the GLOBIS Venture Challenge (G-CHALLENGE) in Tokyo. The event saw eight promising teams compete with innovative business plans, resulting in three teams winning the top prize and one team being honored with the KIBOW Award. These participating teams represent the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit cultivated at GLOBIS, allowing students and alumni to push the boundaries of business.

Winning Teams Highlighted

The event's judges were impressed with the presentations delivered by the finalist teams. The three teams that stood out for their visionary approaches were:

• - KataLink
• - yuppa Inc.
• - 住宅AIコンシェルジュ (Jutaku AI Concierge)

In addition, the KIBOW Award, which emphasizes social impact, was awarded to H2 Milk Farm in India. These teams received the opportunity for substantial funding, with a potential investment of up to ¥10 million.

KataLink

Led by founder Kaede Nakazawa, a student in the 2024 GLOBIS MBA program, KataLink addresses the common challenges in sales organizations. Their platform utilizes AI to promote effective sales management, allowing for continuous improvement and the reduction of personal dependence in sales tactics. KataLink's innovative solutions include the “ACE Sheet” for evaluating sales abilities and a “Goal Management Board” to foster a culture of improvement and accountability.

yuppa Inc.

Founder Shunsuke Watanabe, an alumnus of the GLOBIS MBA program, introduced yuppa as a health-focused fast-food brand that combines enjoyment with nutritious eating. The concept of yuppa revolves around using high-protein Kyoto-style yuba as a main ingredient, creating a fulfilling fast-food experience that does not compromise health. The business model promotes quality and freshness through in-store production while targeting urban centers for expansion and establishing a remarkable new dining experience that caters to the growing demand for healthy food options.

住宅AIコンシェルジュ (Jutaku AI Concierge)

With a vision led by Shigetomi Umemura, a 2011 GLOBIS MBA graduate, this startup redefines how consumers approach home buying. By harnessing generative AI, this platform simplifies the process of matching homebuyers with the ideal builders while providing support throughout the buying journey. Their initiative tackles the issue of overwhelming information in the housing market, offering a seamless experience for both buyers and builders.

H2 Milk Farm in India

The KIBOW Award went to H2 Milk Farm in India, focusing on modernizing the dairy farming sector in India. By providing a SaaS platform and training resources for medium-sized local farmers, they aim to enhance productivity while addressing infrastructure challenges. The team, comprising individuals well-versed in both Japanese strategy and the Indian agricultural landscape, is dedicated to bringing sustainable practices to the forefront of dairy production in one of the world's largest milk-producing countries.

G-CHALLENGE Overview

The G-CHALLENGE aims to inspire GLOBIS students and alumni to pursue entrepreneurship by creating a platform for competition and investment opportunities. This year, 47 teams participated, showcasing their innovative ideas and business plans, with a focus on market viability, competitive advantage, feasibility, and social impact. Since its inception, the G-CHALLENGE has fostered an entrepreneurial ecosystem that has welcomed over 500 teams since its first edition.

GLOBIS and Its Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The G-CHALLENGE is part of GLOBIS’s commitment to nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit within its community. GLOBIS provides various resources, from investment programs like G-GROWTH for graduates to accelerator solutions through G-STARTUP, which aims to create a platform for future unicorn companies. With over 13,000 total alumni and students, GLOBIS continues to foster leaders who can address and solve pressing societal issues through innovation and business development.

For more information about GLOBIS and the G-CHALLENGE, visit GLOBIS Official Website.