The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (“UTEC”) is pleased to announce the selection of two startups / teams as winners of the 2nd "Grant Track" of UTEC Founders Program ("UFP"), an initiative to support seed-stage startups and teams preparing to start their own companies, using science and technology.

UFP is an open-ended commercialization support program that enables rapid investment in a wider range of startups, and was launched in May 2021 for the formation of the UTEC No. 5 Fund, with the 2nd phase of applications beginning in October 2022. UFP consists of two tracks:“Equity Track”, which invests up to 100 million yen(~$1 million)in seed-stage startups accepting applications year-round and “Grant Track”, which offers business incubation support and up to 10 million yen(~$100K)as a grant to seed-stage startups and teams that are selected every six months. UFP aims to minimize the time spent on fundraising by startups and teams so that they can focus on the product and business. UTEC will offer multifaceted support for business growth including mentoring, HR support, professional services, workshops, networking, academic collaborations, and more to selected startups and innovators.

The following two startups and teams were selected for the UFP Grant Track 2nd.

・Gaia Vision Inc.　https://www.gaia-vision.co.jp/
UTokyo Startup to Visualize Climate Change Disaster Risks using Hydrological Simulation Technology

・3D Architech, Inc.　https://www.3d-architech.com/
Caltech spin-out startup, revolutionizing metal manufacturing with 10 micron-resolution and sustainable metal 3D printing

The official announcement of the application period for the 3rd "Grant Track" will be made on the official UTEC website (https://www.ut-ec.co.jp/), the official UFP website (https://ufp.jp/), .and UTEC’s official social media accounts -UTEC LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/utec/) and UTEC Twitter (@UTEC_global).

We are looking forward to receiving applications from startups and teams that are looking to scale globally while addressing issues of humankind with science and technology.

▼ About “UTEC Founders Program (UFP)”
Website: https://ufp.jp/en/

-Target-
・Startup or team preparing to start a company using science and technology
・Startup: company before receiving external (VC, corporation) funding
・Team: team showing strong commitment to starting a company

-Selection-
・awardees are determined through document screening and interview

-Support from UTEC-
・Mentoring for up to 1 year
・Grant of 5 million yen (up to 10 million yen if necessary)
・Grant size will be determined through discussion

-Post Program-
・Equity Investment from UTEC can be considered at the end of program or during the program upon mutual agreement (UFP Equity Track or standard equity investment)

▼UTEC Founders Program (UFP) Grant Track 1st round Awardees
https://www.ut-ec.co.jp/english/news/utec_news/ufp_1st_round-awardees

▼ About UTEC
The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners is an independent VC fund associated with academic institutes such as The University of Tokyo, that invests in deep-tech startups that solve global issues of humankind using science & technology. We were founded in 2004, and have so far invested in over 140 Japanese and Global startups with a track record of 19 IPOs & 20 M&As.