[Call for Research Proposals Now Open!] NEDO Project: “Support Program for Securing Management Talent at University-Spun-Off Startups (MPM)”

As part of the FY2026 “Program to Support the Recruitment of Management Talent for University-Spun-Off Startups (MPM)” (hereinafter referred to as “this program”), commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), we are now accepting applications from researchers and university-spun-off startups.

This initiative aims to diversify the channels through which university-based startups can recruit management talent by identifying and matching such talent with university-developed technologies and university-based startups, thereby fostering the creation and growth of these startups.

Applications submitted by researchers and university-based startups, along with their research concepts, will undergo a document screening process conducted by Science Bridge Communicators from Ribance Co., Ltd. and the Ignition Team for this program (a team of specialists providing end-to-end commercialization support). Based on this screening, 12 entries (tentative) will be selected to proceed to the subsequent matching process.

Researchers and university-based startups that advance to the matching process will participate in a four-month team-building program alongside the management talent candidates recruited through this program, where they will collaborate to develop their teams, business plans, and new R&D hypotheses.

This program features the following three characteristics regarding team formation and collaborative planning:

1. Collaboratively shape the direction of the business and the necessary technologies

Rather than simply passing off established research ideas to prospective business leaders with the goal of commercialization, we aim to foster co-creation—where researchers and prospective business leaders engage in open, equal discussions to jointly determine the direction of the business and the future R&D needed to achieve it.

2. Multiple business executives develop commercialization plans for researchers who serve as the source of knowledge.

Based on the researchers’ expertise, knowledge, and enthusiasm for social implementation, several potential business leaders will develop commercialization plans centered on the challenges they wish to address and the themes they wish to pursue. The goal is to identify multiple commercialization pathways for each research opportunity and evaluate them individually, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful startup formation.

3. Implemented the “Venture Mindset Development Program” to foster a venture mindset and deepen mutual understanding among researchers and prospective management talent

Through four sessions of the team-building and mindset-development program, researchers and prospective business leaders will establish a shared foundation of thinking while advancing discussions and deliberations aimed at commercialization. This will create a framework that enables researchers and prospective business leaders to collaborate as a single team.

Researchers interested in commercializing their own research findings, as well as early-stage university-based startups looking to strengthen their management teams, are encouraged to apply by clicking the button below.

Please note that participation in this project requires participation in the events and programs listed below.

Program Theme	Format	Date and Time
kickoff	Face-to-face	Sunday, October 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
First Session of the Program	online	Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Second Session of the Program	online	Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Third Session of the Program	online	Tuesday, January 19, 2027, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
4th Session of the Program	online	Tuesday, February 2, 2027, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Final Presentation	Face-to-face	Sunday, February 21, 2027, 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Related Press Releases

We have been selected for the Acceleration Track of the NEDO FY2026 “Support Program for Securing Management Talent at University-Based Startups (MPM).”

Decision on the Implementation Structure for the FY2026 “Support Program for Securing Management Talent at University-Based Startups (MPM)” (NEDO)

Launch of "GERMINATION REACTOR," a venture builder program that develops management talent and helps them launch startups alongside researchers

 

[Inquiries Regarding This Project]
Lifeness Co., Ltd.: Kusunoki, Human Resources Development Division; Nishiyama, Research and Development Division
Phone: 03-5227-4198
e-mail: [email protected]