Founded in 1931 and headquartered in Tokyo, MARUI GROUP integrates retail, fintech, and forward-looking investments. It was the first company in Japan to issue credit cards in 1960. In the 1980s, it developed fashion retail for young consumers and in the 2000s, it embraced innovation. At the heart of its mission is the principle of "co-creation," where MARUI GROUP views stakeholders as partners in shaping the future together. 

Marui Group Website Link Here

Turning Passion into Business & Social Impact

Marui Group invites innovators, students, and early-stage founders to take part in a unique business pitch contest designed to transform personal passion into a real business with social impact.

This international edition of the contest is operated by Apprecia Capital, a Zurich-based venture capital fund, on behalf of Marui Group, one of Japan’s leading retail and lifestyle groups.

Japanese Official Website Link Here

Do you have a passion—something you truly care about—that could become a business?

Whether it starts as a hobby, a personal interest, or an idea driven by purpose, this contest offers you the opportunity to develop it into a real venture together with Marui Group and share it with the world.

Selected participants will pitch business ideas that combine:

• A strong personal passion

• A clear problem or unmet need

• The strengths, platform, or ecosystem of Marui Group

Selected finalists will receive:

• Prize money of up to JPY 300,000

• A 3-day trip to Japan to kick off the project with Marui Group. Dates are flexible and expected in summer.

• Opportunity to collaborate with Marui Group on business development

• Application Deadline: 31, January 2026

• Notice to Selected Finalists: Mid February 2026

• Pitch Contest: 14, March 2026

• Winner’s trip to Japan: Summer 2026