2018 SingularityU Japan Global Impact Challenge

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The challenge is open to residents and citizens of Japan
• You must be age 21 or older
• You must be fluent in written and spoken English
• You must be able to participate for the entire Incubator program from April 2, 2018 to May 18, 2018.
• Applicants selected as finalists will be interviewed by a panel of judges on Saturday, January 27, 2018.

We look for people from all professional backgrounds, but will be really thrilled to find you if:

• You’re a founder of an idea-stage startup or an individual with a moonshot idea.
• You’re an accomplished entrepreneur, technologist, scientist, or change agent with expertise in your chosen field(s).
• You’re already considering how to leverage exponential technologies to create a positive impact in the world.
• You’re committed to the long-term journey of launching an impact-focused startup

We will evaluate submissions using the following criteria:

• Degree of the solution’s relevance to the theme of the challenge
• The regional relevance in solving the challenge in Japan
• Coherence of the idea and the feasibility and viability of implementing it
• Entrepreneurial and innovative potential, with a focus on technological novelty
• Quality of applicants’ leadership experience, profile, achievements, and potential

• CV/Resume
• Summary of accomplishments
• An abstract of the project idea
  • Within the abstract, describe and detail the following: Your idea and problem/opportunity you are addressing, your solution and long-term impact, applied technology for your solution, and your business model
• Video URL of the project idea

• Applications open: November 1, 2017
• Applications close: January 7, 2018
• Pitch event & Winners announced: January 27, 2018

We are looking for early-phase startup ideas or individuals with a moonshot ideas. Judging criteria is based on the grandness of the idea—such as whether it solves a problem with a potential to positively impact millions of people, technological novelty, viability of implementing it and applicants leadership potential.

If you’re a later-stage venture, check out the SU Ventures program.

Intellectual property resulting from a GIC belongs to the applicant(s).

The selection process has 2-3 phases, depending on the GIC. The first phase involves a review of all applications to determine 5-10 finalists, and the second phase involves final judging to select the winner at a pitch event.

GIC winners are responsible for their own travel expenses to/from SU.

In all cases where a winner cannot attend the Incubator program, the winner forfeits their seat to the GIC first runner-up and would have to then re-apply for admission in a future year.