Entrepreneur / SME of the Year Nominees: BBA 2025
Building a sustainable business as an SME or entrepreneur is no small achievement. This makes it all the more important to recognise those who have stood out this year. From 48 applications across seven categories, Entrepreneur / SME of the Year has emerged as one of the most competitive, with an impressive nine entries. We invite you to discover the remarkable companies stepping into the spotlight and defining what it means to thrive.
Nominees for the Entrepreneur or SME of the Year Award must be individuals or companies who exemplify entrepreneurial spirit and have created commercial success in Japan over the past 12 months. Nominees will typically be leading non-listed organisations in Japan with 25 employees or fewer.
In alphabetical order:
BLR WORLD
10 Pavilions, One Vision: BLR WORLD acts as a facilitator, enabler and activator of cultural assets and events around the world. Under the entrepreneurial leadership of Founder & CEO Micah Styles, BLR recently entered the Japan market securing multi-million dollar contracts in its first year of trading as a key operator of international pavilions at Expo 2025.
BUNGO Nakagawa Company Limited
Our company could organise and accelerate supporting the small-to-medium sized members of BUNGO Nakagawa Brewery Consortium to develop the significant roles in the local activation in Oita Prefecture, with their highly advanced brewing techniques for centuries, and to diversify their business channels under our unique mechanism of the Consortium.
Coaching Leaders Japan G.K.
Coaching Leaders Japan is a boutique leadership development company founded in 2020. Despite our small size, we’ve worked with over 1,000 leaders across Japan and globally, helping them navigate complexity with courage and clarity. We are proof that an SME from Japan can compete globally by living its values and delivering measurable Impact.
Custom Media KK
Custom Media strategically rebranded its marketing agency, successfully established Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and effectively implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System. This drove 30% revenue growth and 93% client retention, achieving two major awards and client satisfaction through innovation while retaining strong UK-Japan heritage.
Herofinder Ltd
Herofinder, an Oxford-incubated startup, bridges human capital and sustainability through innovation. Its bilingual pro bono simulator app, launched at Expo 2025, enables users to visualise and certify social contribution via digital Hero Badges—with blockchain integration and patent underway. By turning individual skill growth into verifiable insights, Herofinder enables corporate sustainability storytelling that strengthens transparency and enterprise value.
KiFor
KiFor runs hands-on social impact workshops that unite employee growth with community good. In the past year, we’ve engaged 100+ employees, raised ¥660,000+ for single mothers and the homeless, and donated 100+ laptops and food boxes to orphans, proving that businesses in Japan can lead with purpose and social impact.
NEO Search Partners K.K.
Since 2022, NEO has continued to grow through reputation, referrals, and results. By championing an ethical, transparent model, our team has empowered clients to scale their businesses and proven that lasting industry change is possible. Our cross-border growth and people-first philosophy earned recognition with the Deshima Award for Emerging Business 2024.
Sankaku Nutrition LLC
Founded in 2022 by a Japanese–British chef and nutritionist, Sankaku Nutrition is a unique in-home meal prep and nutrition service in Tokyo. Built from humble beginnings, it helps individuals and organisations eat with purpose and perform at their best. Combining Japanese and Western perspectives, the company bridges cultures through food, balance, and wellbeing.
Sankaku Nutrition champions healthy eating that is practical, flavourful, and built for real life, supporting the diverse needs of internationals navigating life in Japan. Over the past year, it has delivered a BCCJ workplace nutrition seminar, expanded its reach through educational media, and been featured in Japan Today.
Swan & Lion
Swan & Lion transformed from a takeaway and online shop into a pioneering British pub in Tokyo in the summer of 2024. Taking a bold risk, we built a new venture showcasing classic British food made in-house with quality ingredients, creating an authentic British dining experience unlike anything else in Japan.
We extend our deepest thanks to this year’s sponsors, whose support makes this celebration possible.
