Todai IPC selects 8 companies for the 7th round of support under its consortium-type incubation program "1stRound!

7th round of support for "1stRound," a consortium-type incubation program, has been decided.

The University of Tokyo Collaborative Platform Development Corporation (Head Office: Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President: Katsuhiko Oizumi; hereinafter "Todai IPC") has selected the 7th recipients of its "1stRound" consortium-type incubation program with national universities in the Kanto region and leading companies in Japan. The program is currently open for applications for the 8th round of the program. The 8th round of applications is now open (application deadline: November 21).
https://www.1stround.jp/

Success rate of fundraising of past adopted companies is approximately 90%, consortium-type ecosystem of academia collaboration that creates many examples of open innovation.

Over the past 6 years, Todai IPC has adopted a cumulative total of 60 teams and supported them in establishing companies and raising funds. The program has achieved an outstanding track record as an incubation program for teams just prior to their establishment, with a company establishment rate of approximately 95% within one year of the end of the program, a fundraising success rate of approximately 90%, and an adoption rate of at least 501 TP3T for large grants.
In addition, more than 10 open innovation cases have already been created, including capital and business alliances between selected recipients and various major companies.

In collaboration with entrepreneurship education programs at related universities, 20~25% of the total number of applications are from reapplications, and we aim to build an ecosystem that will encourage more entrepreneurship from academia.

Mitsui Kinzoku Co., Ltd. newly joins the project, which also supports entrepreneurship based on the university's technology seeds by utilizing EIRs (visiting entrepreneurs).

Leading companies in various industries continue to participate in "1stRound" as corporate partners. Ltd., a leading company in the nonferrous metals industry, as a new corporate partner. With the support of a total of 19 companies, the program aims to accelerate open innovation between venture companies and existing companies.

In August 2022, the University of Tokyo IPC was selected as a demonstration project for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Demonstration Project for the Use of Visiting Entrepreneurs (EIR)," which is a mechanism to both increase entrepreneurship and promote open innovation.

The University of Tokyo IPC will introduce individuals with entrepreneurial potential to business companies and other organizations seeking to create new businesses, and engage them as visiting entrepreneurs (EIRs). The goal is to support and maximize entrepreneurial opportunities for outstanding university technology seeds from multiple perspectives.

8th Open Call for Applications Timing

This program is conducted twice a year, and the 8th "1stRound" open call is now underway (application deadline: November 21). For details, please refer to the following URL.
https://www.1stround.jp/

In addition, the following eight companies were selected for the 7th "1stRound" at the July 2022 judging session.

FerroptoCure Inc.
Yuji Otsuki, Representative Director and CEO
https://ferroptocure.com/

We aim to solve unmet medical needs by developing the world's first proprietary "ferotosis (cell death)-inducing" anti-cancer drug that combines high "anti-tumor efficacy" and "safety" at a low cost. During this selection period, we will achieve funding and prepare for clinical trials.

Premo Corporation
Representative Director, Founder CEO Hidenori Tsuji
https://www.premo-inc.jp/

The University of Tokyo's unique wireless technology for chip-to-chip communication will realize a "board-less", "ultra-compact", and "low-cost" chip-size computer, bringing innovation to the IoT/DX from the chip. This project will be realized not based on the logic of the device developer, but in response to the demands of the users through various PoCs during this adoption period.

ISSIN Corporation
Cheng Tao, President and Representative Director
https://issin.cc/

A new product by Mr. Cheng, who founded popIn and developed the world's first ceiling light projector. He has developed a smart bath mat that allows users to manage their weight just by getting on it after taking a bath. During the period of this project, a mass production system will be established and the product will be officially launched.

Kids Weekend, Inc.
Satoe Miura, Representative Director and CEO
https://www.kidsweekend.jp/portal

Develops one of the largest online education platforms in Japan that utilizes technology in education and delivers personalized education. Provides inquiry-based education that connects children with society and supports corporate marketing using education. During this selection period, the company aims to strengthen partnerships with companies and local governments, and to obtain business model patents through joint research with universities.

Letara Corporation
CEO/Co-Founder Landon Kamps COO/Co-Founder Shodai Hirai
https://www.letara.space/ja/about

We are developing a demonstration vehicle and a development base in order to obtain a space demonstration opportunity in 2024.

Bring Out Inc.
Kei Nakano, President and Representative Director
https://www.bringout.biz/about

It aims to visualize and analyze business negotiations using AI, reduce man-hours spent on analog work, and realize a sales DX that turns "non-cognitive skills" into reproducible knowledge. In this adoption period, we aim to promote collaboration with universities in natural language processing, and to expand sales and customer success functions.

Wavelet Co.
Akihisa Takahashi, Representative Director
https://wvl.co.jp/

We aim to provide a practical level of monitoring using vibration observation by systematizing and systematizing the environmental monitoring technology using a small seismic source originated from a university. This technology will contribute to environmental monitoring of ground deformation, social activities, geothermal power generation, CCS, etc. In this selected period, we will strengthen the system construction for the realization of the joint research scheduled to be conducted in 2022.

ARX Corporation
Representative Director and CEO Masayasu Tanase
https://www.arcs-inc.jp/

In order to solve the shortage of human resources for embryologists working in assisted reproductive medicine, we aim to achieve both cost reduction and a high success rate by developing an attachment petri dish that automates the work in clinical settings. This project aims to validate the prototype and establish a system for commercialization.

Through the activities of 1stRound, Todai IPC will further expand the base of university-related ventures and support the open innovation activities of Japanese companies.

1stRound, one of the largest cross-university incubation platforms in Japan

1stRound is Japan's largest cross-university incubation platform that supports the commercialization and social implementation of superior university-related technologies and ideas. While there are many technological seeds within universities, support for early commercialization is still insufficient.

In addition to providing hands-on support and up to 10 million yen for each company, 1stRound aims to create opportunities for collaboration with corporate partners. In addition, the program aims to support the vertical launch of the selected companies' businesses by providing support for fundraising by venture capitalists, including the Open Innovation Promotion Fund No. 1 operated by the University of Tokyo IPC (hereinafter referred to as "AOI No. 1 Fund"), as well as by sharing networks for the development and discovery of management personnel and business alliances.

In addition to the University of Tokyo, we are expanding our efforts to further discover and support advanced technological research and technology created by the University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kobe University, Nagoya University, Hitotsubashi University, and Hokkaido University, as well as university-related persons aiming to start businesses.

About The University of Tokyo Collaborative Platform Development Corporation (Todai IPC)