UTokyo IPC Announces LP Investment in VI No.1 Investment Limited Partnership Operated by Vision Incubate Inc.
PrintTokyo, Japan — UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), a venture investment firm wholly owned by the University of Tokyo, has announced a Limited Partner (LP) investment in the VI No.1 Investment Limited Partnership, managed by Vision Incubate Co., Ltd. The investment was made through the Academic Startup Acceleration Fund (ASA Fund), operated by UTokyo IPC under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s startup strategy, “Global Innovation with STARTUPS.”
Empowering Industrial Growth Rooted in the Hokuriku Region
Founded in 2023, Vision Incubate Co., Ltd. is an independent venture capital firm fully owned by Kanazawa University. The firm focuses on deep tech investments in areas such as life sciences, IT, and materials, with the goal of revitalizing industries based in the Hokuriku region.
CEO Dr. Kunio Matsumoto, who also serves as Vice President of Kanazawa University overseeing industry-academia collaboration and research strategy, brings extensive experience as a researcher, entrepreneur, and executive. In 2001, he founded Kringle Pharma, Inc., which was successfully listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market in 2020.
Vision Incubate is dedicated to the creation and support of startups rooted in national university research. The firm collaborates with “TeSH,” a regional startup platform involving 13 universities and 3 national colleges of technology across the three Hokuriku prefectures. Its investment activities extend beyond the region to support startups originating from national universities across Japan.
On June 23, 2025, Kanazawa University will hold the opening ceremony for its new “MIRAICHI Research Center” designed to accelerate social implementation of basic and applied research. Vision Incubate will also be housed in this new facility, contributing to the development of next-generation researchers and entrepreneurial communities in the Hokuriku region.
UTokyo IPC’s decision to invest is based on Vision Incubate’s deep understanding of academia-driven deep tech startups, its regionally anchored yet open and collaborative network, and the strong commercialization experience of Dr. Matsumoto and his leadership team.
Through this investment, UTokyo IPC aims to foster collaboration among university-launched startups nationwide and further accelerate the growth of Japan’s deep tech ecosystem.
Message from Kunio Matsumoto, CEO, Vision Incubate Co., Ltd..
“We are deeply grateful to receive investment from the ASA Fund operated by UTokyo IPC, an organization with a distinguished track record and strong trust in the startup ecosystem.
At Vision Incubate, we are committed to supporting the commercialization of academic research through startup creation and venture investment rooted in national universities. Our goal is to help deliver researchers’ and our shared aspirations to society via startup ventures. Since the final close of the VI No.1 Fund in March 2025, we have invested in seven startups and have begun preparations for our second fund.
We look forward to deepening our collaboration with UTokyo IPC and supporting the growth of startups that can generate meaningful impact on society.”
About the ASA Fund: A Platform to Expand Japan’s University Startup Ecosystem
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched its “Global Innovation with STARTUPS” strategy in November 2022, setting forth a bold “10x10x10 Innovation Vision” to produce globally competitive startups, expand the startup base, and promote public-private collaboration in innovation.
As part of this initiative, the ASA Fund was established to promote the social implementation of advanced research and deep tech innovations generated at universities and research institutions. In January 2024, UTokyo IPC was selected to operate the fund.
The ASA Fund seeks to resolve systemic challenges in Japan’s university-affiliated startup ecosystem while strengthening connections across academia, industry, government, and international partners. Through a fund-of-funds model, the ASA Fund identifies promising technology seeds, supports their commercialization, and backs venture capital funds focused on nurturing globally scalable startups from universities—aiming to elevate Japan’s deep tech ecosystem to a world-class level.
Vision Incubate Co., Ltd.
Business: Venture capital fund management
Established: August 2023
Headquarters: Incubation Facility, 1F, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
CEO: Kunio Matsumoto
Website: https://visionincubate.com
Contact
UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.
Entrepreneur Lab 261, South Research Building, The University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8485
TEL: +81-3-3830-0200 / FAX: +81-3-3830-0183
Email: info2@utokyo-ipc.co.jp
Contact: Masafumi Kawai