Japan’s Largest Academia-Driven Startup Support Program “1stRound” Expands to 21 Universities and 4 Research Institutions
PrintOchanomizu University
Doshisha University
Hiroshima University
UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), in collaboration with 18 universities and 4 national research institutions, is pleased to announce that Ochanomizu University, Doshisha University, and Hiroshima University have joined 1stRound,” Japan’s largest startup support program co-hosted by academic institutions.
With this expansion, “1stRound” now represents a consortium of 21 universities and 4 research institutions. The program aims to accelerate the social implementation of deep-tech seeds originating in academia through hands-on business support and non-equity funding—bridging the gap between early-stage research and commercialization.
About “1stRound”
Launched in 2017 by UTokyo IPC, “1stRound” was established as a non-equity startup support program dedicated to empowering startups rooted in academic innovation. Since its rebranding in 2019, the program has evolved into a consortium format, welcoming a growing number of academic institutions and corporate partners.
“1stRound” offers startups non-dilutive funding to kick-start their ventures, as well as intensive hands-on support designed to build robust, investment-ready companies. It remains Japan’s largest non-equity startup acceleration initiative in academia, fostering deep-tech ventures from research institutions across the country.
To date, the program has supported 102 teams over nine years. More than 90% of startups that were selected in the past successfully raised capital, and over 50% receive large-scale government grants. In addition, the program actively facilitates collaboration with major corporations—more than half of participating teams each round engage in joint projects with corporate partners.
Comments from New Consortium Members
Kyoko Aikawa, Vice President (Research and Industry-Academia Collaboration), Ochanomizu University
“Ochanomizu University has been providing students with opportunities to learn about the principles and methods of entrepreneurship, techniques for linking ideas related to gendered innovation and the SDGs to products and services, and collaboration with industry surrounding entrepreneurship. By participating in “1stRound,” we aim to cultivate “female innovators” equipped with practical skills to drive innovation, as well as to foster a vibrant environment for the creation of startups originating from research at Ochanomizu University.”
Hiroyuki Miyamoto, Director, University Industry Liaison Office, Doshisha University
“Doshisha University supports the commercialization of research findings through entrepreneurship. In FY2024, we launched a new startup support structure within the Liaison Office and joined the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition (KSAC). By participating in ‘1stRound,’ we hope to deepen our collaboration with corporate partners and VCs, further advancing the social implementation of university research.”
Hidetoshi Tahara, Vice President for Startup Ecosystem, Hiroshima University
“At Hiroshima University, under our founding principle of pursuing peace, we are committed to fostering innovation and serving as a core institution in the startup ecosystem of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, known as the ‘Peace & Science Innovation’ initiative. Through our participation in ‘1stRound,’ one of Japan’s largest university co-hosted startup programs, we look forward to invigorating the creation and development of startups founded on academic wisdom, and to driving the emergence of transformative industries that can reshape society.”
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Call for Applications – 13th Cohort Now Open
The 13th call for applications is now open as of April 14, 2025, and will close on June 2, 2025. Interested teams from academia are encouraged to apply through the official website:
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List of Consortium Members (as of April 2025)
The University of Tokyo, University of Tsukuba, Institute of Science Tokyo, Kobe University, Nagoya University, Hitotsubashi University, Hokkaido University, Kyushu University, Waseda University, Keio University, Ritsumeikan University (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University), Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), Kanazawa University, Kindai University, Tokyo University of Science, University of Shizuoka, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Ochanomizu University, Doshisha University, Hiroshima University
National research institutions: Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), RIKEN
For Media Inquiries
● Ochanomizu University: Research and Industry-Academia Collaboration Division
Email: KC-kenkyo@cc.ocha.ac.jp
● Doshisha University: University Industry Liaison Office
Email: jt-liais@mail.doshisha.ac.jp
● Hiroshima University: Office for Startup Promotion, Industry-Academia Collaboration Division
Email: psi-office@ml.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
● UTokyo IPC (1stRound Secretariat)
Email: info2@utokyo-ipc.co.jp | Tel: +81-3-3830-0200
Contact: Kojiro Takayama