“Cloud Social Investment Challenge” A Business Competition

The Cloud Social Investment Challenge (“CSI Challenge”) is a business competition to promote social investment, and this is the fifth time it has been held. The CSI Challenge aims to discover and support entrepreneurs who aim to solve social issues through innovative business by combining business competitions and crowdfunding. Furthermore, through this competition, ARUN aims to build a platform that connects various stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs and investors/supporters, as well as business partners and knowledge holders.

CSI Challenge 5 is supported by Deloitte Tohmatsu Group as the main sponsor, as well as MS&AD Unison Smile Club, Mizuho Securities, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and individual supporters participating in crowdfunding.

Program

• This year’s theme: “Biodiversity – Towards a society where humans and nature coexist” Until now, humans have sought abundance and convenience, and especially in the midst of modern economic growth, they have pursued economies of scale and economic rationality. This has placed a huge burden on society and the environment. In the Global Risk Report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2023, risks related to climate change and biodiversity occupy the first to fourth places among risks of high long-term importance.
• ARUN’s vision is ”a society where people born anywhere on earth can demonstrate their individual talents.” This aims not only to realize a society that respects diversity and where people move forward together, but also to build a responsible, sustainable, and cohesive society where people are also residents of the earth.
• They also focus on people in rural areas and developing countries who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, respect the diversity of people and nature, and use innovative business ideas and methods to improve people and society. They support businesses that foster coexistence with the environment and nature and work to build a truly sustainable society.
• Specifically, they envision the following business examples, but of course they are not limited to these.
  • They aim to preserve the natural environment by promoting business that takes biodiversity into account while using innovative methods and technologies.
    • They support entrepreneurs who use innovative methods and technologies to solve various issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, increased waste, and food problems. This includes efforts using advanced technology and attempts to promote sustainable economic activities by utilizing the knowledge and technology of traditional local industries, agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Businesses that create new products that focus on local materials, and that produce and sell products in ways that take biodiversity into account, also fall into this category.
  • Providing a safe living environment for people who are greatly affected by climate change and biodiversity loss
    • Women and children living in rural and remote areas of developing countries are the most vulnerable to the effects of environmental and social change. Stable food supply by breaking away from monoculture agriculture and improving self-sufficiency rates, ensuring a safe living environment through forest restoration and soil conservation, clean and stable water supply, etc., to prevent climate change and decline in biodiversity. They support entrepreneurs who aim to realize safe and healthy lives for people who are negatively affected by.

Prize

• The winning company will be given the right to negotiate investment with ARUN. You can invest up to USD 50,000 and in addition to your investment, you will have the opportunity to receive support and advice from ARUN and the network of sponsors and supporters.
• In addition, main sponsor Deloitte Tohmatsu Group will award a grant of up to US $25,000 as the Deloitte Tohmatsu Award.
• Investment amount may change depending on crowdfunding, exchange rates, and investment due diligence results. Deloitte Tohmatsu Group is driving a global initiative called World Class, which aims to positively impact 100 million people around the world by 2030 by contributing to education, skills development and opportunity creation. Masu. Deloitte Tohmatsu Group (Deloitte Japan) is supporting CSI Challenge 5 as its main sponsor.

Eligibility Requirements

• Companies applying to CSI Challenge 5 must meet the following criteria:
  • Providing innovative business solutions to solve social issues related to biodiversity
  • Have at least 3 years of experience in this field and are currently in business
  • registered as a corporation
• Examples of organizations that are not eligible to apply:
  • Nonprofit organizations, scholarships, or research projects
  • Organizations based on political or religious objectives.

For more information, visit ARUN Seed.