"T-Startup" New Business Proposal Challenge

Outline
T-Startup is a contest for proposing business ideas for new fields of business that Tsubaki should challenge, or business ideas that will bring about innovative growth to existing businesses. This contest is open to individuals as well as teams of applicants. Individuals and teams whose proposals pass the first screening will receive assistance in preparing a business plan and move on to commence startup activities.

Application Eligibility
Must be a Tsubaki Group employee

• People who truly want to create next-generation businesses with their own ideas that will enable sustainable growth.
• People who truly want to realize their own dreams (ideas) by utilizing the company’s infrastructure.

*As a rule, temporary and part-time employees are not eligible to apply.

Screening Criteria

1. Ideas shall be in line with the Long-Term Vision 2030 and Mid-Term Plan 2025, “Creating a People-Friendly Society”, “Building a safe and secure living Infrastructure”, and “Creating an Earth-friendly society.
2. Applicants need to be able to express the significance of the project passionately, including our entry into the market.
3. Applicants shall draft a business model, including such things as;
   • Potential social issues to be solved
   • Ability to provide value that intended customers are eager to receive
   • Profitability and growth potential
4. Competitive advantages / differentiation
5. Concreteness and feasibility (1-2 years to estimate prospects for the business)

Contest Flow

*Proposals that passed the second screening will move on to business verification stage.

Application Format
Please draft your business idea(s) using the “Business Proposal Form” attached and submit your proposal to t-startup@gr.tsubakimoto.co.jp by Friday, July 28, 2023.

Prize
JPY 50,000 will be paid for each proposal that passes the first screening.

Others
✓ Research and development stage projects, and new product proposals for existing business areas are not
handled by T-Startup, in principle.
✓ We encourage teams to submit proposals, as team members can refine ideas and listen to the opinions of
others. Teams should consist of up to 5 people.
✓ Applicants agree that all rights, including all intellectual property rights, in the new business ideas
submitted to T-Startup shall belong to Tsubakimoto Chain Co.

T-Startup (New Business Proposal Challenge) Participation Terms (June 20, 2022)
This participation agreement (hereinafter “Agreement”) sets forth the terms and conditions to be observed when participating in T-Startup (hereinafter “T-Startup”) held by Tsubakimoto Chain Co. (hereinafter “Tsubaki”) and offered to Tsubaki Group employees (hereinafter “Participants”). By submitting an Business Proposal Form to T-Startup, the Participants are deemed to have agreed to these terms.

1. Terms of participation
   This Agreement consists of (a) the terms and conditions stipulated in this Agreement, and (b) various operating regulations provided by the secretariat.
2. Eligibility requirements
   The eligibility requirements for Participants in T-Startup are as follows.
   • People who sincerely want to create next-generation businesses with their own ideas that will enable sustainable growth.
   • People who sincerely want to realize their dreams (ideas) by utilizing company resources.
3. Prohibited matters
   Participants shall be prohibited from doing the following:
   • Acts that violate public order and morals or laws and regulations
   • Acts that interfere with the operation of T-Startup
   • Acts of slander against the Tsubaki Group or third parties participating in T-Startup
   • Other acts that Tsubaki deems inappropriate
4. New business ideas
   1. Participants agree that all rights, including all intellectual property rights, in any new business idea submitted by them to T-Startup shall belong to Tsubaki.
   2. Participants must ensure that the new business ideas they submit, and their contents are legitimate and do not intentionally infringe on the trade secrets or intellectual property rights of any third party.
   3. Participants recognize that Tsubaki will likely receive a large number of new business ideas from T-Startup, and that the new business ideas submitted by the Participants may be similar in theme, idea, format, and other aspects. Participants waive any and all rights that they may have and which may be claimed under the law with respect to any ideas or works used by Tsubaki that are similar to the new business ideas they have submitted.
5. Advertising / Confidentiality
   1. Participants agree that new business ideas submitted may be published by Tsubaki, and agree to the possibility of such publication, as well as the possibility that some of their personal information may be published.
   2. Unless otherwise agreed by Tsubaki, Participants shall keep the information submitted to T-Startup and the information obtained through T-Startup, as well as technical and business information of the Tsubaki Group, strictly confidential with the care of a good manager, and shall not disclose or leak it to third parties, nor use it for any purpose other than T-Startup.
6. Completion of T-Startup
   T-Startup is a voluntary contest held by Tsubaki, and Tsubaki may at any time at its discretion suspend the eligibility of Participants or terminate T-Startup. Tsubaki shall not be liable to Participants for such suspension or termination.
7. Governing law, jurisdiction
   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. Tsubaki and the Participants shall make the Osaka District Court the exclusive jurisdictional court of the first instance regarding disputes arising from this Agreement.
8. Others
   1. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Participants and Tsubaki with respect to T-Startup, and supersedes any prior agreement, representation and understanding of the matters set forth in this Agreement between the parties, whether oral or written.
   2. If, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction, any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such provision will be interpreted to reflect the original intent of this Agreement as closely as possible, and the remaining provisions will remain valid and legally binding between the parties.
   3. The non-exercise by Tsubaki of any of its rights under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights unless agreed to in writing by Tsubaki.
   4. Participants shall not assign or sublicense all or part of their rights arising from this Agreement to any third party without the prior written approval of Tsubaki. Tsubaki may assign this Agreement, as well as its position, rights, and obligations as a party to this Agreement to any third party without notice to the Participants.
   5. T-Startup is subject to the internal rules and regulations of each Tsubaki Group company in addition to this Agreement.