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Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd. (KYOTO-iCAP) is a venture capital firm established by Kyoto University to invest in startups commercializing research outcomes from national universities, particularly in biotech and deep tech sectors.

Founded
2014
Recorded stages
Seed
Focus sectors
Biotech, Healthcare, Energy, Iot, AI
Recorded regions
Asia, Japan

Online destinations

Find Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd online

Where to find this organization online, grouped by who runs each page. A link here does not mean the organization controls it.

Overview

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd. (Kyoto iCAP) is a venture capital firm established in December 2014, fully funded by Kyoto University. The organization focuses on supporting startups that aim to commercialize research outcomes from national universities, particularly Kyoto University. By providing investments and other forms of support, Kyoto iCAP seeks to foster innovation and create new industries based on advanced research.

Focus

Kyoto iCAP invests in seed to early-stage companies that are commercializing research outcomes from national universities. The firm emphasizes the creation of new industries and operates two funds, the Innovation Kyoto 2016 Fund and the Innovation Kyoto 2021 Fund, which support startups from various national universities under specific conditions.

Support

Founders participating in Kyoto iCAP's programs gain access to funding, mentorship, and resources aimed at commercializing their research and innovations. The firm also offers programs like the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR-iCAP) and the Entrepreneurial Collaboration Program (ECC-iCAP) to further support entrepreneurship.

Questions

What are Kyoto iCAP's investment criteria?

Kyoto iCAP invests in seed to early-stage companies that aim to commercialize research outcomes from national universities, particularly Kyoto University. The firm focuses on sectors such as biotechnology, healthcare, IoT, and deep tech.

How can startups apply or pitch to Kyoto iCAP?

Startups can pitch to Kyoto iCAP through their contact form available on their website. It is recommended to include a detailed business plan and information about the research outcomes being commercialized.

What makes Kyoto iCAP different from other venture capital firms?

Kyoto iCAP is unique due to its strong ties with Kyoto University, allowing it to leverage cutting-edge research and technologies. The firm also offers milestone-based investments and has a long fund duration of up to 20 years, which is particularly beneficial for deep science commercialization.

What is the geographic scope of Kyoto iCAP's investments?

Kyoto iCAP primarily focuses on investments within Japan, specifically targeting national university spinouts. This geographic focus allows the firm to tap into the rich research environment of Japanese universities.

What kind of post-investment involvement does Kyoto iCAP have?

Kyoto iCAP provides extensive support for commercialization, including consultations on company establishment, management personnel searches, and introductions to private venture capital and financial institutions for follow-on funding.

What is the size of Kyoto iCAP's funds?

Kyoto iCAP manages approximately ¥54 billion (around $360 million) across its three funds, which allows for significant investment in early-stage companies.

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