Announcing the Finalists of Startup Lady Award 2026
Startup Lady Association (Representative Director: Moeko Suzuki) is pleased to announce the finalists for Startup Lady Award 2026, which will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Gemmyo Tokyo Boutique in Shibuya, Tokyo.
The award aims to celebrate and spotlight the achievements of women entrepreneurs and their efforts to address social challenges, while also recognizing the individuals who support their growth. Through this initiative, we seek to inspire future generations by highlighting role models who are making a positive impact on society.
We received numerous applications for this year's award. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who applied and to all those who have shown interest in and support for this initiative.
Startup Lady Award 2026 Finalists
Following a rigorous selection process, finalists have been selected across three categories:Female Entrepreneur Category, Investor Category, and Social Impact Category.
We are delighted to introduce the finalists in each category.
Female Entrepreneur Category
Women founders and entrepreneurs who take on challenges through their businesses and inspire those around them and the next generation.
Investor Category
Individuals who support entrepreneurs through investment, mentoring, or by opening up their networks.
Social Impact Category
Entrepreneurs and organizations working to address social challenges and creating change for people, communities, and industries.
Female Entrepreneur Category
Kaho Taniguchi
3volt.inc（MEDIAVOLT）
Representative Director of 3volt Inc. Started a business while still in university and joined Recruit as a new graduate. After leaving Recruit, founded a social media marketing company, providing social media support to more than 100 companies and serving as a social media advisor to the City of Kyoto.
In 2023, established a Type A Continuous Employment Support facility in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, gaining firsthand experience working alongside people with disabilities.
In November 2025, founded 3volt and currently operates MEDIAVOLT in Ikebukuro, an employment support service where team members with disabilities manage corporate social media accounts and create content.
Selected as a finalist and presented at IVS "LAUNCHPAD SEED 2025," and received the Mashing Up Award.
Kay
ROARS Ltd.
Started her career in the hotel industry after graduating from university and was based in New York from 2008. Following the birth of her child in 2010, her career was interrupted, and she faced significant challenges when attempting to return to work, receiving rejections from more than 100 companies.
She subsequently transitioned from non-regular to full-time permanent employment, earned an MBA, and served as CEO of a startup in New York.
Through these experiences, she came to recognize a critical social issue while participating in PTA activities: highly capable mothers were not being given sufficient opportunities to work.
This realization led her to establish ROARS in 2024. The company connects businesses with professionals who have parenting experience, recognizing them as highly skilled talent, and supports women who refuse to give up on their careers.
MISATO MAEDA
MIRAERA Co., Ltd.
Originally from Kumamoto Prefecture. Graduated from Kagoshima University School of Medicine and is a licensed physician and certified occupational health physician.
Founded her first company in 2021 while still in medical school, successfully raising funds and selling the business within 18 months.
In October 2023, established MIRAERA Inc. and currently operates "Sangyoi NEO," an online occupational health physician service specializing in mental health.
Selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "J-StarX" Silicon Valley program in the well-being field, certified as a member of the third cohort of Shibuya City's "S-Startups," and selected for the 11th cohort of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "APT Women" program.
With a mission to "Redefine the Role of Occupational Health Physicians," she aims to make preventive healthcare accessible to everyone in the workforce.
Maiko Shimizu
MATSULI.INC
Raised in a single-parent household, she supported herself through Tama Art University by covering her own tuition fees.
While still a student, she launched several small businesses, including a photography staffing service and a secondhand book resale business, and also gained experience running a restaurant in a busy entertainment district.
Through these firsthand experiences, she encountered many people struggling with mental health, physical health, or family issues who felt unable to seek help. This inspired her to start her own business.
After teaching herself IT and design, she now develops and operates "Itsudemo Okaeri," a social networking platform focused on mutual care and support.
Sachiko Wada
TASKAJI Inc.
After working as a systems engineer at Fujitsu for 14 years, she founded Taskaji Inc. in 2013.
She operates "Taskaji," a platform that directly connects people seeking household services with individuals who want to provide them professionally. Since founding the company, she has served as both its CEO and Chief Technology Officer for 12 years.
In 2020, she also launched "Taskaji Research Institute," an initiative that leverages household data to support companies in product development.
She serves as a board member of the Sharing Economy Association and as a member of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's committee on certification and qualification systems for housekeeping services.
Her accolades include the Nikkei Woman of the Year 2018 Award and the WOMAN AI AWARD 2026.
Investor Category
Karen Kyo
Interbay Co., Ltd.
Began her career in investment banking and has spent more than 20 years supporting the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs in the fields of startups and international development across Japan, the United States, Southeast Asia, and Africa. To date, has supported approximately 400 companies and entrepreneurs.
Currently serves as the Representative Director of Interbay Inc. and a member of the Investment Committee at Epic Angels.
Through investment, strategic advisory, and business development, works to expand tangible business opportunities for women entrepreneurs and companies that empower women, including access to funding, customers, contracts, and supply chains, helping them increase revenue and achieve business growth.
Social Impact Category
Radyum Ikono
Schoters
I have helped 100,000+ Indonesians change their lives. Today I lead Schoters, which opens equal access to degrees & jobs overseas for everyone. In the past, I established 2 universities in one of the country's poorest regions and founded a listed deep-tech company, Nanotech Indonesia
Michelle Schnitzer Raab
BondUP
Michelle Schnitzer Raab is the CEO and founder of BondUP, Latin America's first platform for people 50+. She leads strategy, partnerships and fundraising, and built a community of 50,000+ users in Chile and the first exclusive space for the silver generation. +20 awards winner and TedX Speaker.
Miggy Sakata
Cotatsu, inc. / SHIFT80 Nonprofit Organization
After working at an SIer (systems integration company), an advertising production company, and Hakuhodo Kettle, founded Kotatsu Inc.
Since first visiting Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2013, has collaborated with local communities for more than 13 years. Activities have expanded from educational support, including menstrual products and education, school meals, and scholarships, to employment opportunities for women and young people, as well as fashion and art. To date, these initiatives have supported approximately 10,000 children in continuing their education.
Established SHIFT80 in 2022, followed by the nonprofit organization SHIFT80 and the Kenya-based NGO TUNA SHIFT in 2025.
Working to create systems that go beyond the traditional relationship between those who provide and receive support, enabling individuals to realize their full potential.
Reiko Miho
Aile Inc.
Specializes in women's empowerment, multiple career development, and regional revitalization. Operates a social enterprise and a social community with the aim of creating a society where women can thrive regardless of their location, age, or stage of life.
Through the "Yell Project," a community of more than 3,300 members in Japan and overseas, and a platform for female talent, provides a sustainable support system that connects learning with employment opportunities and regional development. Initiatives include reskilling programs developed in collaboration with local governments and project-based matching opportunities for individuals pursuing multiple careers.
Founded the Woman Ecosystem Public-Private-Academic Co-Creation Alliance, a general incorporated association, to promote collaboration among government, industry, and academia.
Also engages in collaborative projects with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and serves as an advisor on women's empowerment, while providing lectures, training, and mentoring.
Author of Jinsei wo Kaeru Saikyo no Community Zukuri (Pal Publishing), a book on building communities that transform lives.
Kaho Taniguchi
3volt.inc（MEDIAVOLT）
Representative Director of 3volt Inc. Started a business while still in university and joined Recruit as a new graduate. After leaving Recruit, founded a social media marketing company, providing social media support to more than 100 companies and serving as a social media advisor to the City of Kyoto.
In 2023, established a Type A Continuous Employment Support facility in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, gaining firsthand experience working alongside people with disabilities.
In November 2025, founded 3volt and currently operates MEDIAVOLT in Ikebukuro, an employment support service where team members with disabilities manage corporate social media accounts and create content.
Selected as a finalist and presented at IVS "LAUNCHPAD SEED 2025," and received the Mashing Up Award.
About the Award Ceremony
The Startup Lady Award 2026 ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Gemmyo Tokyo Boutique in Shibuya, Tokyo.
During the ceremony, the winners of each award category will be announced, and their initiatives and achievements will be highlighted.
- Date & Time: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 19:00–21:00 (Doors open at 18:45)
- Venue: Gemmyo Tokyo Boutique (Shibuya, Tokyo)
- Organizer: Startup Lady Association
- Admission: By invitation only
Startup Lady Association will continue to spotlight individuals who take on new challenges and those who support them along the way. By sharing their stories and achievements as role models for future generations, we aim to foster a future where one challenge inspires another, creating new opportunities for growth and positive change