Call for Participants in the “Deep Tech Entrepreneur Development Program”—Seeking Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Commercialize University Research Findings—

Lifeness Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo; President and CEO/CCO: Kiyoshi Inoue) has been implementing the “Kyoto Deep Tech Commercialization Support Project” in collaboration with the City of Kyoto and the Kyoto Advanced Technology Research Institute (a public interest incorporated foundation) since April 2026.

Reference:Awarded a contract by the City of Kyoto to plan and manage the Reiwa 8 Kyoto Deep Tech Commercialization Support Project

Kyoto’s universities are home to numerous researchers, primarily in fields such as life sciences, biotechnology, the environment, and energy. While there are many promising research opportunities in the deep tech sector, the universities face challenges such as a shortage of researchers with an entrepreneurial mindset and a lack of management talent.

For this reason, we are launching the “Deep Tech Entrepreneur Development Program,” which aims to identify and nurture aspiring entrepreneurs, facilitate matchmaking with university researchers, and develop business plans that lead to the commercialization of research ideas. We are now accepting applications from individuals who wish to participate in the program as aspiring entrepreneurs.

[Business Overview]

● Contents

・ Through a total of six sessions, including workshops and lab visits (held as needed), participants (aspiring entrepreneurs) will work alongside researchers from universities and other institutions—whose research ideas in the deep tech field have been separately selected by the City of Kyoto—to explore practical steps toward commercialization and entrepreneurship and to develop business plans.

・ Over the course of six sessions, we will welcome entrepreneurs from the deep tech sector as guests to share real-world case studies.

＜参加予定の研究者（別途採択済）＞

Detailed Explanation of Research Topics (PDF)

* Participants (aspiring entrepreneurs) will select a researcher from the five listed above to work with on developing their business plan. We will ask for your preferences at the time of entry, and you will make your final decision after the first session (November 1—discussion with researchers).

* During the first session, we will provide participants with the researchers' names and details about their research.

● Scope

　　Working professionals, college students, and others interested in starting a deep tech startup

● Capacity

　　Approximately 15 people (if there are many applicants, a selection process will be held)

● Participation Fee

　　Free (however, participants are responsible for any expenses related to the program, such as communication and transportation costs)

● How to Enter

Please enter the following required information in the entry form.

＜必要事項＞

・Name, email address, etc.

・Areas of Interest, Technologies, Keywords

・Reasons for Participating

・Issues to be addressed

・Available dates for participating in the program

・Desired Researchers

Entry Form URL

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1SgzbvP5vqbD2ZMb0Cp260uZWkhcjzXQiciCD_t-5f0bYWQ/viewform

● Application Deadline

Monday, August 31, Reiwa 8

●Information Session (Deep Tech Startup Seminar)　*Recommended (optional)

Prior to applying for this program, we will hold a seminar—which also serves as a pre-application information session—to help participants learn the mindset necessary for forming teams with researchers. Participation in this seminar is optional for applicants.

　*The same content will be covered in all three sessions. Please register by the day before each session.

＜申込フォーム＞

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrOUFF6d7mq94-D_B7igLdnSz1z6TIO3ERwx20sIFzVh25lA/viewform?usp=send_form

● Organizer

　　Kyoto City

● Operations

　　Lifeness Co., Ltd.

[Reference: About the Deep Tech Commercialization Support Project]

This initiative, implemented starting in Reiwa 7, aims to foster the creation of deep-tech startups by collaborating with local universities and other institutions to identify and support the commercialization of promising research ideas, as well as to identify and nurture talent capable of leading businesses (potential entrepreneurs) and facilitate matchmaking between researchers and potential entrepreneurs.

In Reiwa 7, six researchers and 29 aspiring entrepreneurs participated. As a result of this program, aspiring entrepreneurs who were matched with researchers have been selected for the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) support program titled “Support for Securing Entrepreneurial and Management Talent for R&D-Based Startups,” demonstrating tangible results toward entrepreneurship and commercialization.

You can read testimonials from last year’s participants (aspiring entrepreneurs) on the following website.

https://avf.lne.st/kyoto-deeptech/

[Contact Information]

＜事業について＞

Kyoto City Bureau of Industry and Tourism, Startup and Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Office

Tel. 075-222-3339

Email[email protected]

＜起業家育成プログラムや創業セミナーについて＞

Lifeness Co., Ltd. (the company entrusted with operating this project)

Contacts: Shigenaga, Nakajima

Email[email protected]