The NEC Innovation Challenge 2023, a one-of-a-kind opportunity for startups with innovative solutions in Large Language Model (LLM), Healthcare, Smart City (Child Safety and Protection, Smart Retail), and Urban Agriculture.
The challenge offers unparalleled mentorship from NEC and successful corporations, to governmental institutions. Leverage this unique chance to work with renowned partners, including NEC Enterprise, Kawasaki City, NOFF, and BIRD INITIATIVE, to bring your disruptive and innovative visions to life.

⏳Closing date
02/11/2023
💡Program beneficiaries
Startups with innovative solutions in LLM, Healthcare, Smart City (Child Safety and Protection, Smart Retail), and Urban Agriculture.
🎯Objectives
NEC aims to utilize its own and partner companies’ assets to create significant joint businesses with promising startups worldwide. To achieve this goal, NEC Innovation Challenge solicits ideas from startups worldwide and accelerates the development of new businesses for NEC and its partner companies.
🎁Program benefits
- NEC Award : Up to $15,000* for PoC development (*USD amount may vary as it will be calculated as equivalent to 2,200,000 yen at the time of February 2024.)
- NOFF Award : Discussions for funding from NOFF
- BIRD INITIATIVE Award : Support of entering the Japanese market by BIRD INITIATIVE (e.g. connections with Japanese developers, support on incorporation of Japanese companies, etc.)
- Agri-Tech Innovator Award : Access to the experimental farm field in Kawasaki City
🌐Application:
➡️Apply HERE
Find out about other available calls for applications, Click HERE