TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge
TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge
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TIMELINE
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Application Phase
From September 10th through October 31st, 2025
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In the first instance, participants will be required to create an account and submit their solution concept in presentation format. The required deliverable should be in the form of a 10 slide PowerPoint/PDF, including the following content:
- Addressed problem and value of the solution
- Overview of the solution
- Addressed market
- Competition landscape
The submission deadline for the application phase is October 31, 2025, 23:59 GMT+9 (Japan Standard Time).
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1st Screening
From November 1st through 16th, 2025
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The initial submissions will be graded by a panel of judges based on document screening, with 25 participants selected for the next phase.
The results of this phase will be announced on November 17, 2025.
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2nd Screening
From December 1st through 31th, 2025
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All 25 semi-finalists will be invited to online interviews with the panel of NEC judges. This will consist of a 10-minute presentation of the project, followed by a 20-minute Q&A session with the judges.
Participants should submit their presentations for the interviews by November 30th, 2025 23:59 GMT +9.
At this stage, a top 10 will be selected as finalists, with results announced on January 9, 2026.
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Mentoring Phase
From January through February, 2026
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The top 10 finalists will be paired with an Yamaha or Partner specialist mentor. The role of the mentor is to help finalists to improve and perfect their presentation in preparation for the final event.
The deliverable for the final event should follow the same format as the original presentation, with the addition/changes using the feedback of the mentor.
The submission deadline for the final presentation is February 20, 2026 at 23:59 GMT+9.
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Final Event
End of February, 2026
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The final will consist of a 5-minute pitch to the panel of judges (Yamaha and Partner Company Executives), followed by a 8-minute Q&A.
The winner of the final, alongside selected other prizes will be announced immediately following the judging deliberation.
Selection Criteria
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Specificity of Customer Dissatisfaction Points
Is the dissatisfaction to be solved sufficiently large and can it create social change? Are the issues and needs of the target customers to be solved clear?
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Product-Market Fit
Do customers feel the product or service that solve their dissatisfaction are worth paying for?
Is there traction showing a sustainable business model?
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Market Growth Potential
Does the target market for the product or service have growth potential?
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Competitive Advantage
Does the product or service have a clear competitive advantage? Does it have the track record and organizational capabilities to amplify that strength?
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Business Model
Is it clear where the profits will be made?
What factors will sustainably accelerate future growth?
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Team
Does the team and its members have an ability/experience to grow the business?