IssueHunt Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kazumasa Yokomizo), a provider of bug bounty platforms and security solutions, announced on February 6 that the sponsors have been finalized for the student cyber security conference "P3NFEST 2026 Spring," scheduled to be held on March 7, 2026.
A total of eight companies are sponsoring the event: HENNGE, Mitsui Bussan Secure Directions (MBSD), NRI SecureTechnologies, NF Laboratories, The Japan Research Institute (JRI), NEC Corporation, WealthNavi, and CyberAgent (Venue Sponsor). These industry-leading organizations are coming together to provide strong backing for the cultivation of the next generation of security engineers.
In conjunction with the announcement, several sponsoring companies shared messages of encouragement for the participating students.
Mr. Matsuura from HENNGE commented, "We support all of you who enjoy change and continue to take on new challenges," while Mr. Sekihara from MBSD noted that "learning through hands-on experience is vital." Additionally, Mr. Aoki from NEC stated, "We look forward to seeing you excel as future leaders who will realize a safe and secure society." These comments reflect a high level of expectation for developing "hands-on talent" capable of countering increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Furthermore, the companies providing programs for the "P3NFEST Bug Bounty 2026 Spring" (starting February 16)—a bug bounty event exclusively for participants under the age of 25—were also revealed.
Nine organizations, including Nikkei Inc., GMW, ENECHANGE, Nulab, Helpfeel, HENNGE, SORACOM, Finatext Holdings, and Synchro Food, will provide real-world environments for the event. This allows students to hone their skills through practical vulnerability assessments on actual services.
■ ICT Startup League
This support program was launched in FY2023, initiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Exploratory R&D Support Project for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four primary pillars:
1. R&D Funding & Hands-on Support
The program provides up to 20 million yen in R&D funding via subsidies. In terms of hands-on support, the evaluation committee members involved in the selection process continue to work closely with the startups to accelerate their growth. For companies that committee members "absolutely want to see succeed," a "supportive fan-style" structure is established where the members themselves provide ongoing advice on business plans and growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Cultivation
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to drive the business growth of its members. It also seeks to discover aspiring entrepreneurs to expand the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Functioning like a positive sports league, the platform allows startups to learn from one another and compete to secure the necessary funding (up to 20 million yen). It also serves as a space for co-creation, where members can collaborate and expand their businesses through various sessions with evaluation committee members.
4. Promotion
The league partners with media outlets to broadcast the efforts of its members. By increasing public awareness of these businesses, the program aims to create new matching opportunities and expand the field of possibilities.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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IssueHunt Inc. (Official Site)
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IssueHunt Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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P3NFEST 2026 Spring (Official Site)
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Original Press Release (Japanese)
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For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.
