[KUC] Kobe University Capital Establishes "KUC Fund II Investment Limited Partnership" Aiming for a Total Scale of 6 Billion JPY

Kobe University Capital, Inc. (Headquarters: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture; Representative Director/Managing Partner: Yoshifumi Mizuhara; hereinafter "KUC") is pleased to announce the establishment of "KUC Fund II Investment Limited Partnership" (hereinafter "KUC Fund II"), aimed at investing in deep tech startups based on excellent research seeds from Kobe University and the Kobe/Kansai region, as well as other parts of Japan. The fund completed its 1st Close in January 2026 and its 2nd Close in March 2026. To date, this fund has received investments from nine major domestic institutional investors and financial institutions, including Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) and SBI Group.

Background and Vision of Establishment

In Japan's startup ecosystem, the long-term supply of risk capital to university-launched deep tech startups remains insufficient. A structural issue persists where excellent technological seeds held by regional universities are not fully utilized. While most VCs operate primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area, KUC has been engaged in investment activities that maximize three advantages: "Kobe University's knowledge and human resources," "the research and development environment of Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster," and "Kobe's international network."

KUC Fund II will further accelerate these efforts. Under a collaboration agreement with Kobe University, KUC is introducing a new "Company Creation" model that consistently covers everything from seed discovery to entrepreneurship support, lead investment, hands-on growth support, and overseas expansion. This aims to foster globally competitive deep tech startups by working alongside researchers.

Overview of KUC Fund II

Fund Name

KUC Fund II Investment Limited Partnership

Establishment Date

January 2026

Operation Period

10 years (extendable by up to 2 years)

GP

KUC Partners II Limited Liability Partnership

List of Investors (LPs)

This fund has received investments from the following nine major domestic institutional investors and financial institutions:

・Japan Investment Corporation

・SBI Group

・Kobe Shinkin Bank

・Minato Bank, Ltd.

・Ikeda Senshu Bank, Ltd.

・Osaka Shoko Shinkin Bank

・University-launched Startup Promotion Fund Investment Limited Partnership (GP: The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd.)

・Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

・Tajimagin Bank, Ltd.

Investment Strategy

KUC Fund II will primarily execute investments through the following two strategies:

1. Company Creation

KUC will proactively identify research outcomes (seeds) from universities and research institutions and support the launch of startups by being involved from before and after their establishment. A project team consisting of researchers, EIRs, specialized personnel, and investment managers will be formed to promote commercialization with a view to PSF (Problem-Solution Fit), SPF (Solution-Product Fit), and PMF (Product-Market Fit), leading to seed investments.

2. Deep Tech Startup Investment

Investments will be made primarily in seed and early-stage existing deep tech startups related to the ecosystem centered around Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, and the Kansai region. As needed, KUC will provide support for business plan refinement, milestone design, management team building, and actively engage in lead investments.

Future Outlook

KUC, building on its strong collaboration with Kobe University, will promote the social implementation of excellent research outcomes both domestically and internationally, starting from the Kobe, Hyogo, and Kansai ecosystem. Through KUC Fund II, we will further accelerate the creation and growth support of startups in deep tech areas, including drug discovery and healthcare, thereby generating new industries in the region and tackling global social challenges.

About Kobe University Capital, Inc.

Company Name

Kobe University Capital, Inc.

Establishment Date

October 22, 2021

Location

1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Management Team

Representative Director / Managing Partner: Yoshifumi Mizuhara

Director / Partner: Naonori Sato

Business Activities

Venture investment activities and fund management operations for startups originating from universities and research institutions

URL

https://kuc.vc

Contact for this matter

Kobe University Capital, Inc.

Director / Partner: Naonori Sato

Email: [email protected]