Miraisozo Investments Launches "Miraisozo Launchpad Program" to Support Commercialization of University-Born Deep Tech

Miraisozo Investments Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroyuki Okada; hereinafter referred to as "Miraisozo Investments") is launching a new program, the "Miraisozo Launchpad Program (MLP)", to support the commercialization of university-born deep tech from the pre-seed stage. MLP is a program designed for researchers and research teams aiming to implement their research outcomes into society through startups in the future. It offers end-to-end support, covering the securing of core intellectual property, preparation for applications for large grants such as the JST Startup Ecosystem Co-creation Program (GAP Fund STEP2), business plan development, formation of management teams, and business partnerships and customer development. The program addresses challenges in intellectual property creation and early-stage commercialization of research results, thereby fostering the establishment of a commercialization foundation for the creation of startups and early-stage investment from university-born technological seeds.

1. Background and Objectives

Miraisozo Investments has been actively involved in supporting the social implementation of technology to foster the creation of university-born, R&D-oriented startups. Since the launch of the University-Origin New Industry Creation Fund project in fiscal year 2023, the company has provided extensive support for applications and successful acquisition of grants like the GAP Fund as a commercialization promotion organization. This has led to the adoption of 2 projects in the JST "Deep Tech Startup International Expansion Program (D-Global)" and 14 projects in the JST "Startup Ecosystem Co-creation Program" GAP Fund (STEP2).

Following adoption, Miraisozo Investments has supported each project in concretizing business plans, collaborating with potential customers and business partners, and building relationships for fundraising. Furthermore, the company has been working on operating an EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) system and discovering/nurturing CTO talent to secure crucial management personnel for R&D-oriented startups in their pre-founding and early stages.

Through these support activities, Miraisozo Investments has reconfirmed the importance of intellectual property creation and early-stage commercialization considerations, in addition to R&D and commercialization support utilizing large grants like the GAP Fund, for the commercialization of university-born deep tech. Researchers collaborating on startup ventures have also sought advice and requested support regarding the securing of core intellectual property and early-stage funding. For core intellectual property, which will be the source of startup competitiveness in the future, it is necessary to prepare with commercialization in mind from an early stage, considering publication of research results and the progress of collaborative research.

The "Miraisozo Launchpad Program (MLP)" being launched now systematizes the startup support activities Miraisozo Investments has conducted to date and incorporates financial support necessary for the intellectual property creation of research outcomes. By supporting everything from IP creation and securing large grants to management team formation, business partnerships, and startup preparation, it aims to foster the establishment of a commercialization foundation for the social implementation of university-born technological seeds from an early stage.

2. Program Overview

Miraisozo Launchpad Program (MLP) is a pre-seed support program that provides comprehensive support from securing core intellectual property to the consideration of startup founding and early-stage investment, including obtaining large grants such as the JST Startup Ecosystem Co-creation Program (GAP Fund STEP2) and forming business partnerships. It targets university-born technological seeds with high commercialization potential.

The program first builds a foundation for commercialization starting with the intellectual property creation of research outcomes. Subsequently, venture capitalists will act as commercialization promotion organizations, accompanying the joint application for large grants.

After grant acquisition, support will extend to project management, formation of the management team, and building relationships with business partners and potential customers, thereby assisting in the establishment of a system for founding a startup.

Approximately 3 projects are expected to be adopted annually, with venture capitalists deeply involved in each case.

3. Support Details

Phase 1: IP Creation and Commercialization Preparation (Approx. 6 months)

Core Patent Invention and Application Support

In collaboration with a patent law firm specializing in startup IP strategy, we will support the discovery of core patent inventions, claim design, and application, with commercialization in mind. Advice will also be provided on strategic application timing before the publication of research papers. The patent rights will fundamentally belong to the university.

Financial Support

Up to 2 million JPY per project will be provided to cover costs related to commercialization preparation, including the aforementioned patent application support. Eligible costs include patent application-related expenses (patent attorney fees, domestic/PCT application fees) and investigation/prototyping costs necessary for commercialization assessment.

Phase 2: Support for Obtaining Large Grants (Approx. 6 months)

Venture Capitalist Support for Large Grant Acquisition

For large grants such as the JST Startup Ecosystem Co-creation Program (GAP Fund STEP2) and D-Global, venture capitalists will act as commercialization promotion organizations and accompany the application preparation process as co-representatives. They will work jointly with researchers to develop business plans, conduct market analysis, and set commercialization milestones, aiming for successful adoption.

Phase 3: Project Promotion and Startup Preparation (2-3 years)

Project Management

After grant acquisition, as the commercialization promotion organization, we will support progress management towards commercialization milestones, continuous refinement of business plans, and initial design of capital policy with founding in mind. Specifically, we will continuously discuss and advise researchers on aspects such as shareholder composition, stock option design, and IP licensing terms with universities.

Management Team Formation Support

We will support the formation of management teams, including CEO and CTO candidates, for startup founding. In university-born startups, it is often difficult for researchers to find management talent independently, and delays in team formation can be a challenge for commercialization. Miraisozo Investments utilizes its own assets, including an EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) system and activities for discovering and nurturing CTO talent, to build a talent pool of management and technical personnel. Leveraging these assets, we will match suitable management and technical talent with the researchers' technological seeds.

Business Partnership and Customer Development Support

We will leverage the extensive network that Miraisozo Investments has built over many years of investment and commercialization support in the deep tech field, including relationships with corporations, financial institutions, and research institutions. We will introduce initial customers, business partners, and joint research collaborators necessary for the commercialization of technological seeds, and support the building of relationships for fundraising.

4. Target Audience

Researchers and research teams meeting the following conditions are eligible:

Researchers belonging to universities and research institutions who wish to commercialize their research outcomes through startups in the future.

Deep tech fields, primarily in industrial sectors with expected future growth (e.g., Physical AI, Energy/GX, Semiconductors/Electronic Devices, Materials/Chemicals, Medical Devices, etc.).

Possessing highly competitive technological seeds for which patent applications based on research outcomes are planned or are in the stage of IP consideration.

5. Application Method

To apply for this program, please contact us at the email address below. Please briefly describe your technology overview, IP status, and commercialization intent. After document screening, selection will be made through interviews with the responsible venture capitalist.

Contact: Miraisozo Investments Co., Ltd. MLP Secretariat

Email: press@miraisozo