START
This is a program designed for creating start-ups utilizing human resource units 〝( Project Promoters〟) with commercialization expertise, with public funds for R&D (research and development) and business development and private commercialization expertise.
Starting from the pre-startup stage of ventures originated in universities and other research institutions, this program will follow the new enterprise through to market viability. That will develop business and intellectual property strategies for technology seeds with high potential. Further, it strives for commercialization of such projects, considering their markets and exits.
By doing so, we aspire to realize the return of research outcomes of the projects to society and establish a sustainable innovation model to be used as Japan's model.
①Project promoter units and researchers unite to form a team, including human resource experts such as entrepreneurs and intellectual property professionals to formulate R&D and commercialization plans that are most suitable for technical seeds (commercialization concept).
②The team conducts project management, R&D, and business training, based on market needs (pre-venture).
③We aim to attract private funds through founding ventures originated in universities and other research institutions with high corporate value and implementing projects (entrepreneurship and acquisition of venture capital funds).
A Framework for the Program for Creating STart-ups from Advanced Research and Technology (START)
START connects project promoters and researchers from universities and others and supports R&D and business development. It consists of〝 project promoter support type〟 which supports activities of project promoters and〝 project support type〟 which supports projects at universities and other institutions.
Image of Project Implementation
Collaboration and cooperation between project promoters and researchers
We formulate business plans under project management by project promoters, from the pre-startup stage, build intellectual property strategies and business strategies, and strive for commercialization of projects with consideration of markets and exits.
Flow Prior to Project Kickoff
| STEP1 | Submit the 1st application form | Submit the first application form describing the desired project promoters by researchers at universities or other institutions. |
|---|---|---|
| STEP2 | Technical evaluation by project promoters | Upon receiving the first application, the project promoters will narrow down promising seeds based on their own commercialization policy. |
| Implementation of due diligence | The project promoters conduct further investigation on promising seeds. At this stage, universities and other institutions may be approached for submission of materials, etc. | |
| STEP3 | Prepare the 2nd application form | If project promoters determine that there is a possibility of commercialization, the business development policy and R&D system are further examined with the researchers to prepare the second application form. |
| Submit the 2nd application form | Researchers at universities and other institutions should submit the second application form prepared with the project promoters before the closing day. | |
| STEP4 | Project assessment | We conduct project assessment (such as interviews) and determine whether to support the project, based on the submitted second application. |
| STEP5 | Project kickoff | After the adoption of the proposal, the R&D expenses are granted at the university or institution, and the project starts under the management of the project promoter. |
A Sustainable Japan's Innovation Model （Sample image）
Universities, research institutions, and venture capital companies are promoting further enhancement and reinforcement of various kinds of support for founded ventures towards building an innovation model where they foster the founded ventures and obtain a high return to further enhance their own commercialization support.
TYPE
Project Support Type
System Table
| Purpose of support | R&D for business start-up and commercialization |
|---|---|
| Applicable institutions | Institutions correspond to any of the following: national, public, and private universities; national, public, and private institutes of technology;Inter- University research Institute Corporation; and Independent Administrative Institutions (including National Research and Development Agency). |
| Fields for application | Entire fields that are expected to grow in the future. |
| R&D period | 1 to 3 fiscal years in principle. |
| R&D expense (direct expense) | From 30 million yen to 50 million yen/year, depending on the R&D period (both are the maximum amount). |
| Contact information | Department of Industry-Academia Collaboration START Group K's Gobancho, 7, Gobancho, Chiyodaku, Tokyo 102-0076 Japan TEL：03-5214-7054 E-mail：start”AT”jst.go.jp （※Please change "AT” to "＠”.） |
START Committee Chairman (Program Officer)
| HASEGAWA Katsuya | Project Professor Division of University Corporate Relations, The University of Tokyo |
