Cultivating Eco-Business

In order for the economy to become more environmentally friendly, the development of eco-business is essential. In this regard, the small and medium-sized companies and ventures that represent the seeds of eco-business are facing various problems.

-They have good business plans, but no funds.
-They have useful technologies, but a low profile and no credit.
-They would like to conduct joint research with universities, but lack facilitators.
-They lack management and PR capabilities, and therefore cannot expand.
-They have expertise, but lack knowledge of finance.
-They lack resources for publicity and management.
-They require business partners.

Identifying the struggling operators of eco-businesses, and to cultivate and support such companies is the purpose of the eco japan cup.

Cooperation between Financial Institutions, Industry, Government, Academia, and the Public

The eco japan cup was organized by a non-governmental organization and private incorporated association, Environmental Business Women, in cooperation with government offices, including the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, financial institutions, including Development Bank of Japan Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Cooperation, companies, business groups and citizen groups. The aim is to support the development of the next generation by working with industry, government, academia, the public and financial institutions in order to meet the needs of all stakeholders related to eco-businesses, such as small and medium-sized companies and ventures, creators, artists, non-profit organizations and citizens.

Meeting Place with Business Partners

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＜Open-Platform Where You Can Meet Business Partners＞

The eco japan cup is not only a contest that gives awards, it also provides opportunities to meet business partners. It is an annually held open-platform contest, and it co-hosts various public offerings from companies or government offices in each category, without favoring sector peer companies. Thus, if a business applies to participate in the eco japan cup, it can simultaneously participate in several contests, and even without winning an award, it may catch the attention of a larger company looking for business partners, which provides the opportunity for better business.

A Win-Win Situation: Benefits for Those Providing Support and for Those being Supported

There are benefits for supporting companies to participate in the paid Partner Contests of the eco japan cup.
Prizes for standard contests are donated by cooperating companies. Through the eco japan cup, participants are able to collect business partners and new ideas for developing their eco-businesses. As publicity, office management, a display area and an awards ceremony are all part of the package, there are more benefits on the cost front when compared to managing public offerings alone. In addition, the eco japan cup will provide support through our network of financial institutions, industry, government, academia, and the public.

Robust Screening System

There is a good screening system in place for the eco japan cup. At the final screening, there are specially selected judges from various business fields, while a robust screening system is used for the first and second screenings. For example, financial institutions conduct the first screening for the "Environmental Business Venture Awards."
-Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Cooperation
-Development Bank of Japan, Inc.

At second screenings, the eco japan cup helps to improve the applicants' business models by providing a one-hour consultation for each company, along with a screening.
-Environmental Business Women (experience in environmental ventures/ environmental experts in various fields)
-Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Cooperation
-Development Bank of Japan Inc.
-The Japan Research Institute, Limited
-Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants
-Professional Engineers
Others consultants include a major advertisement agency in the "Culture" category and executive committees from government offices at the first screening in the "Policy" category. The eco japan cup has therefore established an optimal screening system for each category.

Consulting Advice from Specialists at Second Screenings

The questionnaire results for the advice from specialists have shown a good degree of satisfaction, as follows:

I am so satisfied./I hope this will be continued. (95%)
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＜Second Screening＞

Feedback on consulting advice includes:
-We received many useful tips.
-We gained practical and valuable information, such as
authorization by the minister.
-Looking at our business plans objectively was very helpful.
-Making new connections was a big advantage.

Aiming at New Environmental Finance

The eco japan cup is aiming to promote finance at each level to be suited to the applicants' needs, thereby providing economic support, while industry, government, academia and the public work together to support the business growth, thus establishing the "all Japan cooperation system." In addition, major companies cultivate small and medium-sized companies and ventures, as well as the mutual development of eco-business. As this system spreads, it will take root and collect funds from numerous participating companies, and we plan to establish the "Angel Fund." This will be the realization of a new environmental finance structure to invest in small, but potentially profitable, ventures that are unable to obtain loans from financial institutions.

Local Finance Screening Organizations

From now on, we would like local finance institutions to participate in the eco japan cup network, and would like to assess or review their eco-business using our screening system, providing feedback on the evaluation and supporting advice. We are aiming for "Local Finance Screening Organizations" to back a system in which local institutions support local small and medium-sized companies and ventures.