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The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has been implementing various measures to support the creation and growth of university-based startups. A particular focus has been placed on building a startup ecosystem leveraging university research outcomes.
According to the 2023 regional distribution of university-based ventures, Tokyo ranks the highest, followed by Osaka, Kyoto, and Kanagawa. On a university basis, the University of Tokyo leads with 420 startups, followed by Keio University with 291. The total number of university-based ventures has reached 4,288, continuing an upward trend since the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Act was enacted in 2014.
MEXT has introduced the following initiatives to support university-based startups:
Additionally, MEXT emphasizes entrepreneurship education, offering programs targeting high school and university students such as the EDGE-PRIME Initiative.
The University of Tokyo offers a program to alumni and researchers called FoundX to support startups aiming for rapid growth. The program operates under the motto, "Make Something the World Needs" (Source).
FoundX provides two types of programs:
FoundX supports startups primarily in the following fields:
FoundX provides various forms of support, such as building entrepreneurial communities, introducing external networks, offering free office space, and providing development resources and back-office services. Notably, all of these services are offered non-equity (Source).
CULTA is an agricultural startup established in November 2017 that utilizes advanced breeding technologies to reduce the usual 10+ years required for crop development to approximately 2 years. The company focuses on developing crop varieties that are resilient to climate change, such as heat-tolerant strawberries and sweet potatoes adapted to acidic soils. CULTA also collaborates with major food companies on joint research to enhance heat tolerance in key agricultures.
Funded by Real Tech Fund and angel investors, CULTA aims to create globally recognized premium agricultural brands from Japan. Inspired by New Zealand's kiwifruit cooperative, Zespri, CULTA strives to deliver high-quality produce to consumers while supporting sustainable farming practices for producers via a vertically integrated model, ensuring consistent quality.
Currently, the company is preparing for local production and sales of its unique strawberry varieties in Malaysia, with trial production set to begin in January 2025 and trial sales in September of the same year. Looking ahead, CULTA plans to expand into other ASEAN countries and global markets even further afield.
Shinshu University established the Intellectual Property and Venture Support Office within its Academic Research and Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Promotion Organization (SUIRLO) in October 2017 to support the creation and growth of startups based on academic research. As of April 2024, this group has been reorganized into the Startup and Commercialization Promotion Office, further enhancing its support system. (Source)
The university also hosts an on-campus branch of the Inland Japan Innovation Ecosystem, a regional platform dedicated to fostering university-led startups that can drive social change in local areas.
NafiaS is a research and development-focused startup based in the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology at Shinshu University. Specializing in nanofiber technology, the company engages in the research, development, production, and sale of next-generation textile materials.
Among its flagship products is the AIR M1, a high-performance nanofiber mask that blocks PM2.5 and pollen.
The nanofiber materials developed by NafiaS boast an extremely fine structure, enabling uses unattainable with conventional materials, including automotive filters, medical masks, and cosmetic sheets.
In addition to product development, NafiaS is actively involved in educational activities and industry-academia-government collaborative projects utilizing nanofiber technology.
Keio University launched the Keio Innovation Initiative (KII) in December 2015 as part of its efforts to support university-originated technology ventures. With an initial capital of ¥100 million, KII has been driving the growth of startups by providing funding and management support to ensure that innovations from Keio University’s labs reach practical applications in society. (Source)
In 2016, KII established its first VC fund of ¥4.5 billion to begin full-scale investment activities. Subsequent expansions include a second fund of ¥10.3 billion in 2020 and a third of ¥20.2 billion in 2023. (Source)
KII emphasizes areas such as digital technology, healthcare, and wellness in its investments. Central to KII’s activities is its collaboration with the Keio University Research Collaboration and Promotion Office, creating pathways for university research to achieve social change.
Kringle Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The company's primary focus is on therapeutic applications of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), which plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine and tissue repair. HGF is known for its ability to stimulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, making it a promising candidate for treating conditions involving tissue damage or fibrosis.
Kringle Pharma is particularly targeting diseases such as ALS, acute kidney injury, and refractory ulcers, all of which currently have limited treatment options. Clinical trials have demonstrated promising safety and efficacy outcomes for HGF-based therapies, garnering attention both domestically and internationally.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) is actively promoting the growth of venture businesses in Okinawa through hosting seminars and workshops aimed at fostering networking and entrepreneurial activities.
One of the standout initiatives is the OIST Innovation Accelerator. Established with the support of the Okinawa Prefectural government, it is the first global startup accelerator program in Okinawa. Selected participants spend approximately 10 months at OIST, being provided with non-equity funding of up to 10 million yen, in addition to access to facilities, equipment, and mentoring and matchmaking support. Through this program, OIST aims to gather top-tier entrepreneurs from across the globe to strengthen the innovation ecosystem surrounding the university and the region.
OIST also offers OIST Innovation Incubator, a facility equipped with shared offices and laboratories to provide an environment where early-stage deep-tech startups can evaluate the feasibility of their business ideas and develop prototypes.
Her Life Lab is a femscience company founded by a researcher at OIST. The company aims to help women experiencing menopause better understand their bodies and navigate these changes.
In 2023, Her Life Lab launched an online medical consultation service My Doctor Vivaelle for Women to support women dealing with menopausal symptoms. This service provides personalized consultations with menopause specialists who offer a variety of treatment options, including hormone replacement therapy and herbal medicine. The platform features online booking and telemedicine services, as well as delivery of medications prescribed during consultations, eliminating the need for clinic visits.
In 2022 the Japanese government launched its Five-Year Plan for Startup Development. As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) allocated ¥6 billion in the fiscal 2022 supplementary budget for the Startup Education Infrastructure Development for Colleges of Technology project. Each of Japan’s 57 technology high schools is provided with approximately ¥100 million in funding to establish shared spaces known as Entrepreneurial Workshops. These facilities offer an environment where students can engage in prototyping and project development, with the cost of equipment and materials covered.
MEXT has stated its aim to target Manufacturing × AI × Problem Solving specifically. For instance, Okinawa’s technology high school used its MEXT grant to establish a Startup Workshop equipped with cutting-edge metaverse development tools, scanning electron microscopes, 3D printers, and advanced network environments.
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