UTEC (The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners, Inc.) is a venture capital firm supporting technology ventures that create new industries to solve global issues of humankind, by bringing together capital, talent and knowledge; around science and technology. Since our inception in 2004, we have managed five funds with a total value of near 85 billion JPY. Our fifth fund of approximately 30 billion JPY was established in 2021, making it the largest venture capital fund in Japan in science and technology fields as of today.
(Release: https://www.ut-ec.co.jp/english/news/utec_news/utec5)

With the launch of our 5th Fund, we have started a new initiative—UTEC Founders Program (UFP)—to proactively fund and support seed-stage startups and pre-launch entrepreneurial teams. “UFP Grant Track”, which provides a maximum of 10 million yen (generally less than 5 million yen) as a donation, neither equity nor debt, in addition to the incorporation/commercialization support provided by UTEC. Seven teams were selected during the UFP Grant Track 1st Batch in 2021.

We are pleased to announce that we will be accepting application for the UFP Grant Track 2nd Batch from June 15th this year. We look forward to applications from aspiring startups / entrepreneurs targeting global market and solving issues of humankind by science and technology. The deadline to submit application is 31st July and decisions will be made in September. For more information on application conditions and materials, please visit the website: https://ufp.jp/en/



 

▼UTEC Founders Program Grant Track (2nd Batch) Overview
【Official Website】
https://ufp.jp/en/
【Application】
See application materials in the Official Website, and submit application form online.
【Application period】
June 15th, 2022 – July 31st, 2022
【Target】
- Startups / Teams / Researchers whose technologies / products fall within science sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, IT and physical sciences.
- Post-incorporation: Startups that have not yet raised an external round of funding from VCs or corporations
- Pre-incorporation: Teams or individuals with a demonstrated commitment to entrepreneurship
【Application & Screening】
There will be document and interview screening.
*The application period is from June 15th to July 31st, 2022.
Application requirements will be announced on the website by June 15th, 2022 (JST) .
【UTEC Support】
Selected teams will receive UTEC support for up to 1 year.
This program provides grant of around 5M JPY (up to 10M JPY) to be used for incorporation / commercialization of technologies / products.
The grant amount will be based on the submitted business plan.
【Post Program】
At the middle or end of the program, selected teams will be considered for either UFP Equity Track or UTEC’s regular equity investment upon mutual agreement.

▼Press release for the launch of the “UTEC Founders Program”
UTEC has started a new initiative “UTEC Founders Program”, to proactively fund and support seed-stage startups and pre-launch entrepreneurial teams. 

▼ About UTEC (The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd.)
Since the inception back in 2004, UTEC has been working with academia in Japan and abroad including the University of Tokyo. We have supported technology ventures that create new industries to solve global issues of humankind, by bringing together capital, talent, and knowledge; around science and technology.
UTEC has invested in over 140 Japanese and Global startups with a track record of 17 IPOs & 14 M&As.