Yamaha to Host Global Business Contest, “TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge” Entries open on September 10, 2025, under the theme “Innovating with sound, co-creating with the world”
“TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge” official website:
Hamamatsu, Japan ― Yamaha Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Yamaha”) has started hosting the “TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge,” a global business contest aimed at creating new value through sound, in collaboration with startups from around the world.
In April, Yamaha established a New Business Development Division directly under the president in order to intensify its efforts in creating new businesses. Under its newly launched initiative, called “TRANSPOSE,” the company is building frameworks for new business creation and advancing business development. The contest began accepting entries on September 10 and is open for idea submissions internally and externally, including overseas, until October 31. All submitted ideas will undergo a preliminary and secondary screening process, culminating in the final pitch scheduled for February 2026, where outstanding proposals will be commended, and the process of validating them toward commercialization further accelerated.
“We will create a future where individuality shines through the power of music and sound, ” said Kitase Masamitsu, operating officer and senior general manager of New Business Development Division. “In a modern society shaped by advancing AI and robotics, music has the power to enrich people’s hearts. And in a society filled with visual information, sound enables societies to evolve in new ways. We are very excited to connect with startups that share our vision, of leveraging the power of sound to create enhanced places, promote well-being, and realize a creative society.”
What Is TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge?
Under the theme “Challenging the Future, Together with Innovators Around the World,” Yamaha and its partner companies aim to collaborate with startups that have innovative technologies, products, or services, to create new businesses and ambitious services. Selected teams will have access to a wide range of opportunities, such as proof-of-concept, including development funding support of up to five million yen; collaboration with Yamaha’s business units; discussions regarding funding from the Yamaha CVC fund and U.S.-based venture capital; and exploration of business opportunities with partner companies.
Overview of TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge
Entry Period
September 10 (Wed.) - October 31 (Fri.), 2025
Themes
“Sound x Place,” “Sound x Well-being,” “Sound x Creative”
Screening Schedule
Preliminary screening (November 2025)
Secondary screening (Scheduled for December 2025 - January 2026)
Final pitch (Scheduled for February 2026)
Entry Method
Application form now available on our official website
* Please see the official website for details.
Organized by
Yamaha Corporation
Sponsor Companies
Monitor Deloitte, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., CRI Middleware Co., Ltd., MORI BUILDING Co., Ltd., Macromill, Inc., KYOCERA Corporation, and BIRD INITIATIVE, Inc.
Support
Economic Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama
Towards a Global Platform for Co-Creation
This contest is operated by Yamaha in collaboration with its sponsor companies; by collaborating with companies across a wide range of sectors, Yamaha has established a framework to support the development and commercialization of outstanding ideas.
Through this contest, Yamaha aims to discover innovative ideas on a global scale, and through co-creation with startups and companies, drive the creation of social value and the realization of innovation through sound.