Startup Lady Award

Celebrating bold challenges and showcasing the next generation of role models

Startup Lady Association will hold the Startup Lady Award to recognize women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs and organizations addressing social challenges, as well as investors and others who support their journeys.

Since launching its activities in 2016, Startup Lady has worked to empower women entrepreneurs and next-generation leaders under its vision of “creating an international community and startup ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can pursue their ambitions while staying true to themselves.”

Through our work with women entrepreneurs and the people who support them, we have witnessed countless moments when one person’s challenge inspires another to take the next step. At the same time, there are still limited opportunities for these efforts—and the contributions of those who make them possible—to be widely recognized and celebrated.

Through the Startup Lady Award, we aim not only to recognize individual achievements, but also to pass on the experiences and aspirations behind them to future challengers, inspiring more people to think, “I want to take on a challenge, too.”

Three Award Categories

One recipient will be selected in each category. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may apply for up to two categories.

• 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.

Eligibility

• Women founders and entrepreneurs
• Investors, mentors, companies, and individuals who support women entrepreneurs (open to all genders)
• Entrepreneurs and organizations working to address social challenges (open to all genders)

Applicants based both in Japan and overseas are welcome.

Schedule

1. September 1, 2026 Applications open. This is an open call.
2. Selection One recipient in each category will be selected through an initial application screening and a final selection process.
3. Wednesday, October 28, 2026 The award ceremony will be held at the Gemmyo Tokyo Boutique in Omotesando.

Award Partner: Gemmyo

Gemmyo, a French modern jewelry maison participating as an award partner, was founded in 2011 following its founder’s own experience searching for an engagement ring. Founders Pauline Laigneau and Charif Debs launched the brand with a vision to create the jewelry maison they truly wanted, unconstrained by traditional industry conventions or established ideas.

Gemmyo’s brand philosophy is “Jewelry with Intention.” As a jewelry maison that creates pieces designed to accompany people through meaningful moments in their lives, Gemmyo seeks to celebrate the unique stories of women taking on new challenges and to support them along their journeys.

One of the main reasons Gemmyo decided to support the Startup Lady Award is its strong connection with the award’s philosophy of shining a light on “those who take on challenges, those who support them, and the stories behind their journeys.” We believe that beyond results and achievements, it is each individual’s aspirations and journey that make a challenge more meaningful, resilient, and powerful.

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About Startup Lady

Startup Lady Association is a Japan-based accelerator specializing in the development of women entrepreneurs and next-generation leaders. Under its vision of “creating an international community and startup ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can pursue what they want to do while staying true to themselves,” Startup Lady focuses on three core missions: education, inspiration, and community.

Through its unique bilingual community, networks, and development programs, Startup Lady aims to foster globally minded women equipped with an entrepreneurial mindset.