TOKYO, Jul 23 (News On Japan) - The winners of this year's Japan Startup Awards, recognizing entrepreneurs who create impactful new businesses and serve as next-generation role models, have been announced.
Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Saito commented, "We will strongly support positive challenges to ensure that Japanese companies can compete and succeed globally. We aim to connect this to a new economic stage."
The grand prize was awarded to SmartHR, a company that offers paperless HR and labor management solutions. The service aims to streamline cumbersome manual tasks, allowing organizations to focus more on creating fulfilling work environments.
SmartHR CEO Masato Serizawa stated, "By optimizing the entire back office, we aim to create a service that enables all individuals to work in a way that suits them best."
The special prize was given to YOUTRUST, which seeks to facilitate more flexible working styles, such as career changes and side jobs, through social media.
YOUTRUST CEO Yuka Iwasaki said, "We want to create a fertile ground in Japan where great companies can continuously emerge."
In addition, a company developing technology for land-based salmon farming to promote local production and consumption won the Agricultural Startup Award, among others. A total of 10 companies were honored.
Source: ANN