Tokyo, Japan — The general incorporated association WE AT, dedicated to advancing the well-being industry through solutions to global social challenges, will host “WE AT CHALLENGE 2025” on November 27. Aiming to become Asia’s largest festival for well-being innovation, this pitch contest will feature four thematic tracks this year, including the newly introduced Creativity Well-being. Today, WE AT is pleased to announce the judges for this new track.

About WE AT CHALLENGE 2025

Co-organized in partnership with Temasek Foundation (Singapore), WE AT CHALLENGE 2025 marks the second edition of this international pitch contest celebrating innovation for well-being.
This year, nearly 600 applications from 60 countries were received from startups, students, researchers, and corporate projects proposing bold solutions to global issues.

Building on last year’s three tracks — Planetary Well-being, Human Well-being, and Social Well-being — the 2025 program introduces a new challenge track, Creativity Well-being, to explore the intersection of art, culture, and innovation.

Each track will be evaluated by a panel of distinguished professionals representing diverse fields. Finalists will compete for the WE AT AWARD, and the top teams from each track will be honored with the WE AT BEST AWARD.
The winners of Tracks 1–3 will each receive JPY 10 million, while the Creativity Well-being track winner will receive JPY 2.5 million in prize money.

[Register to Attend — https://weat-challenge2025.peatix.com/]

 

Exploring New Possibilities Through Art and Culture

The Creativity Well-being track invites ideas and projects that pursue untapped potential and bring inspiration and transformation to society through art and culture — from initiatives that shed new light on tradition to cutting-edge expressions utilizing advanced technologies.
The judging process is currently underway in preparation for the final presentation at the main event on November 27.

WE AT is honored to introduce the judges for this year’s Creativity Well-being track:

The Challenge Track aims to connect domains such as art and culture with the broader ecosystem to create new well-being-driven businesses. While envisioning future scalability, this track focuses on startups tackling social challenges through creativity. We have invited judges who embody WE AT’s unique perspective to evaluate these innovative approaches.

 

<Judge Comments>

The Head Judge ：  N and A inc. 　President, CEO 　Fumio Nanjo 　

This is the era where anything can be art. It is the demand of the times.

Re-examine your surroundings with renewed perception and reconstruct reality through creative thinking. That is what is required now.

I seek novel conceptualizations of well-being and the articulation of sustainable models.

We look forward to your submissions.

Kanazawa College of Art　Associate professor　Takahiro Kaneshima

I am excited to be a judge of WE AT CHALLENGE 2025, characterized by its unique judging system, just set the new track of Art and Culture. I hope the applicant will take advantage of this great opportunity and challenge by developing the motivations, dealing with today’s changing society and values.

 

Merry Year Social Company (MYSC)　CIO (Chief Innovation Officer)　Yeji Lee 　

We at Challenge 2025 is more than a competition—it is a platform for startups to show how innovation can create sustainable impact. I look forward to seeing bold entrepreneurs present solutions that go beyond borders, and I believe this gathering will accelerate collaboration across Asia and beyond.

 

Forbes JAPAN　Managing Editor, Forbes JAPAN Web Editorial Team　Yuka Tanimoto

Amid ongoing population decline and economic contraction, the importance of startups in Japan is becoming ever greater. I believe that creating new value can serve as a catalyst to revitalize the nation once again, and I am committed to supporting many entrepreneurs and startups—both through my work in the media and on a personal level.

Halu inc.   CEO  Yuri Matsumoto （WE AT BEST AWARD 2024）

I am truly looking forward to meeting the startups in the newly established Challenge Track who are pursuing well-being through creativity.

I believe that engaging with their ideas and perspectives through the judging process will also be a valuable opportunity for me to broaden my own horizons and deepen my learning.

 

<Cultural Advisor Comment>

 

Agency for Cultural Affairs　senior specialist for museums support　Tomoyuki NAKAO

I’m truly delighted that the “Well-being through Art & Culture” track has been established as part of the Challenge Track in WE AT CHALLENGE 2025.Art and culture are not external pursuits; they are born from, and form the foundation of, our most fundamental human emotions and ways of living.

I look forward to seeing WE AT CHALLENGE 2025 take this new theme forward and open new horizons in the relationship between art, culture, and well-being.