SCORE promotes the creation of ventures originated in universities and other institutions with high growth potential based on their excellent technology seeds.
There are 2 types of SCORE.
1) Team Promotion Type: JST directly supports researchers.
2) University Promotion Type: JST supports universities who, mainly Technology Licensing Organizations (TLOs), implement the program.
At SCORE(Team Promotion Type), researchers and commercialization producers are mentored and given business training by accelerators with commercialization support expertise.
Researchers and commercialization producers prepare verifiable prototypes and data (experiment and calculation results) based on their own technology seeds. Upon receiving evaluations from their assumed clients, the assumed business model hypothesis can be actualized and enhanced by feeding back the obtained results and social needs to the R&D.
By repeatedly refining such business models they can gain the practical skills required for ventures, form networks, and drive the next stage of commercialization.
In order to promote the formation of ventures originated in universities and other institutions with high growth potential, SCORE encourages researchers and their commercialization producer to create and enhance business models through practical learning and verification of their hypothesis. The goal is to lead them to establish business start-ups or apply to START.
STEP1 Application |
Form a team of researcher(s) and commercialization producer aiming to create a business start-up and submit application form. |
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STEP2 Project assessment |
Based on the submitted documents, the External Evaluation Committee assesses and determines whether or not to support the project. |
STEP3 Project kickoff |
After adoption of the proposal, activities funds are granted at universities and other institutions. The team prepares verifiable minimum viable prototypes and data (experiment results and calculation results) and conducts prospective client interviews while receiving training and mentoring from accelerators. After receiving a practical evaluation, they verify and refine their business model hypothesis. |
STEP4 Demo Day |
The team presents the refined business model to the START project promoters and proceeds to the next stage - returning technology seeds to society - such as applying to START or directly establishing a business venture. |
Application requirements (basic concept) |
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Purpose of support | Verifying business viability |
Eligible institutions | Applications are accepted from institutions including the following: national, public, and private universities; national, public, and private institutes of technology; those belonging to the Inter-University Research Institute Corporation; and independent administrative institutions (including national research and development agencies). |
Relevant fields | Science and technology fields in which business model verification and client interviews are feasible. |
R&D period | 1 fiscal year (from the starting date to March 31, the end of the fiscal year). |
R&D funding | 5M JPY/year (direct expenses) |
Contact information | Department of Industry-Academia Collaboration START Group E-mail:start-score “AT” jst.go.jp ※Please contact via email. (Please change “AT” to “@”.) |
MIYASHITA Takahiro | Director of Interaction Science Laboratories Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) |