The issues of “gender inequality” that are still deeply rooted in our society have become a greater challenge than ever in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Numbers of data indicate larger impacts on female populations, such as job losses, income decline, malnutrition and increase in out of school girls and domestic violence. Social enterprises ARUN supports, voice same concerns.
ARUN is launching CSI Challenge 4, inviting social entrepreneurs, who jointly with us, challenge gender inequality with vision and innovations.
CSI Challenge4 is the fourth in a series of initiatives implemented since 2016 to promote social impact investments. In this challenge, through a combination of the Social Enterprise Competition and Crowdfunding, ARUN focuses on identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs who aim to solve social problems through their own innovative businesses. The competition also aims to create a platform to connect entrepreneurs with Japanese firms and supporters.
The final round will be held in January 27, 2023 with the participation of a panel of judges led by Prof. Seiichiro Yonekura, a director of ARUN Seed and a professor emeritus at Hitotsubashi University. The winning entrepreneurs will receive a variety of incubation support, including advice on business models as well as investments necessary for business growth.
CSI Challenge 4 is supported by Deloitte Tohmatsu Group as the main sponsor, and also by Sasakawa Peace Foundation, MS&AD Unison Smile Club, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and individual supporters participating in the crowdfunding.
