SCORE(Team Promotion Type)

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.

Framework

Team up
A team consisting of an inventor (principal investigator) of a technology seed and a commercialization producer make a proposal for a start-up.
Refinement training
Training is conducted to learn practical skills useful for venture start-up and growth, such as the lean start-up method.
Mentoring
Personnel active in the business venture industry nurture and support the team as mentors.
Business Model Verification
Minimum viable prototypes and data (experiment results and calculation results) that can be verified for practical use are prepared, market research is conducted through interviews with prospective clients, and the business model hypothesis is refined.
Demo Day
Teams present their business models and visions to the START project promoters and venture capitalists, leading to the next commercialization stage.

Process

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.
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.

Example Annual Schedule

TYPE

SCORE (Team Promotion Type)
Application requirements
(basic concept)
  • Proposal should aim to return research outcomes to society through technology seeds, by establishing a venture and conducting commercialization activities.
  • Principal investigator should be the inventor of core technology seeds or be involved in its invention at the time of application.
  • Applicants should form a team including principal investigator and commercialization producer.
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 “@”.)

SCORE (Team Promotion Type)
Committee Chairman (Program Officer)

MIYASHITA Takahiro Director of Interaction Science Laboratories
Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR)
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