Call for Entries: “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards Challenge” — Taking the “knowledge” of mid-sized, small, and startup companies as a starting point to take the first step toward new business ventures

Lifeness Co., Ltd. will launch the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Grand Prize Challenge” at the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference 2026 (to be held on March 27, 2026). The aim of this initiative is to ensure that the new connections and discussions generated at the conference do not end as mere “ideas,” but rather lead to the next steps toward joint verification, joint development, and commercialization. Through this effort, the initiative seeks to foster a greater number of impactful collaborations and aim for the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Grand Prize.”

At the 2026 National Conference on Knowledge-Based Manufacturing,Four call-for-submissions themes have been established...is currently underway. We encourage you to apply.

Entry Form　Deadline: Friday, April 10

0. “Knowledge Manufacturing Award"What is..."

This program recognizes projects that have generated new knowledge and taken the first step toward new challenges, using the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference” as a starting point. Selection is based on collaboration proposals submitted to the secretariat following the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference and recommendations from Lifeness communicators. The final decision is made in consultation with co-sponsor Mizuho Bank, and the winners are honored with the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Grand Prize” at the following year’s National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference.

1. What Is the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards Challenge”?

The National Knowledge Manufacturing Conference brings together a diverse range of players, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and venture companies, who are striving to solve social issues and create new industries. The new encounters and constructive discussions that emerge at these conferences generate new ideas for collaboration.

On the other hand, it is not uncommon for ideas born out of events to stall before they can be fleshed out and implemented. The “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards Challenge” supports the entire process—from initial encounters to discussion, ideation, and the next steps—and, with the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference as its starting point, helps participants take that “first actionable step.” Partner companies participating in this initiative will propose themes they wish to tackle collaboratively and actively solicit ideas for collaboration.

2. background of the project

The National Knowledge Manufacturing Conference has been working to create opportunities to combine the knowledge and expertise of small, medium, and venture businesses across the country to create new knowledge and develop it into concrete partnerships and commercialization.

In the “National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards Challenge,” in addition to our experience in conference management, we have also drawn on our pastValue Creation Challenge" project undertaken on behalf of the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and IndustryDrawing on the insights gained regarding the promotion of collaboration, we will establish a framework to move the ideas generated at the conference toward implementation.

3. desired results

Formation of teams from different industries and fields (e.g., small and midsize companies x venture companies)

Concrete development of core technologies for new applications and new markets

Planning for joint verification (PoC) and joint development

Formulate consensus on next actions (structure, roles, schedule, etc.) for commercialization

4. participation flow

InstalledClick here for the call for submissionsPlease check here.

5. Contact Us

Secretariat, National Knowledge Manufacturing Conference, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.
TEL: 03-5227-4198
E-mail：[email protected]