Headquarters forInternational Industry-University Collaboration,
University of Tsukuba

In view of the importance of international universityindustry-government collaborative activities, theUniversity of Tsukuba reorganized and improved
its existing Headquarters for International IndustryUniversity Collaboration and relaunched it as a new
body in April 2014. The Headquarters for International
Industry-University Collaboration aims to realize thefollowing goals.
1. B ased on the recognition that university-industrygovernment collaboration activities contribute tosociety through the university's research results,
our focus is on the promotion of actual technology
transfer that will lead to socioeconomic transformation(innovation creation).
2. With regard to intellectual property management,
we will enhance evaluation and oversight, and focus
on promoting the international development ofintellectual property.
3. In terms of technology transfer to existing companies,
the organization of Joint Research and other activities
is a powerful instrument, and we will promote theexpansion of these activities with business.
4. When there are no suitable existing companies totransfer technology, University Start-ups can bea powerful tool for technology transfer, so we will
promote support for the development of University
Start-ups.
5. As a university located in Tsukuba Science City, we
will promote further collaboration with governmental
research institutes, corporate research institutes,
and universities, and accelerate collaboration with
Ibaraki Prefecture, Tsukuba City, and other local
communities.
6. We will strive to accumulate know-how on intellectual
property, technology transfer, Start-up support, etc.
within the university, develop human resources, andpromote the transfer of know-how to other universities
and partners.
Going forward, Headquarters for International IndustryUniversity collaboration will continue to enhance
our structure and to further increase our activities inindustry-government-university collaboration so that the
University of Tsukuba can contribute to the developmentof industry and society through the results of research.

KANAHO, Yasunori
Director General of Headquarters forInternational Industry-University Collaboration andVice President and Executive Director for Collaborative Research,
University of Tsukuba

Contents
Organizational structure

4

Special Joint Research projects, Joint Research,Commissioned Research, Academic Consulting

5Intellectual property management

6

Overview of support for social implementationand entrepreneurship

7

Social implementation support project8

Entrepreneurial education

9

University of Tsukuba Start-Ups BusinessAcceleration Support Action

10

Open Innovation Strategy Organization

11

University Start-ups

12

Research & Development (R&D) Center

14

Domestic collaboration (Industry-University
Collaboration platform)

15

Overseas activities

16

Extension program

17

Access18

List of Websites andSocial Media Channels

19Organizational structure
Structure of the Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration
President
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration
Director General, Deputy Director, Advisor to the Deputy Director

Business Division
Entrepreneurship Education Team

Open Innovation Strategy
Organization (OISO)

Specially Appointed Professors,
Associate Professor, Assistant Professor

Technology Transfer Team

Director, Vice Director
General creative manager (CM)(Joint Research, intellectual property management)

Management TeamIP Associate Professor
Technology transfer manager
Contract coordinator

CMs for each field

Project Team
Promotion of projects thatsolve social issues

Extension Program Team

Research & Development (R&D) Centers
1. R&D Center for Precision Medicine
2. R&D Center for Frontiers of MIRAI in Policy andTechnology
3. R&D Center for Sport Innovation
4. R&D Center for Health Services
5. R&D Center for Tailor-made QOL (RD-QOLC)
6. R&D Center for Working Persons’ Psychological
Support
7. R&D Center for Innovative Material Characterization
8. R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery
9. R&D Center for Digital Nature
10. R&D Center for Smart Wellness City Policies
11. R&D Center for Lifestyle Innovation
12. R&D Center for Zero CO2 Emission with Functional
Materials*Centers operate with external funding only

Division of Collaborative Research Planning (Administration)

IP management, private funding and academic consulting contract management,
general administration (human resources, accounting, research support),planning (entrepreneurship development, start-up support, PR), the OISO, and the TSUBASA, as well as the Extension Program Team

Initiatives of the Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration⃝ Special Joint Research projects, Joint Research,Commissioned Research, Academic Consulting⃝ Intellectual property management⃝ Support for social implementation and entrepreneurship│├⃝ Social implementation support programs│├⃝ Entrepreneurship education│├⃝ University of Tsukuba Start-Ups Business││└⃝ Open Innovation Strategy Organization
Acceleration Support Action⃝ University Start-ups⃝ R&D Center⃝ Domestic collaboration (Industry-University Collaboration
platform)⃝ International Expansion⃝ Extension Program

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/about/structure/

4

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

Special Joint Research projects, Joint Research,Commissioned Research, Academic Consulting
Special Joint Research projects
In this Special Joint Research unique to the University of Tsukuba, faculty members from the University and researchers fromcompanies will share issues and conduct joint research for 2 to 5 years. The researchers from companies who are qualified
in examination of appointment will be employed as faculty members to promote large-scale joint research. They will have an
opportunity to engage in university education subject to agreements with their companies.

To establish the functions of the basic industrial research institute on campus

Expenses to be borne by the companies, etc.
Direct costs

Indirect costs

Research
costs

University ofTsukuba

Direct costs: Expenses that are directly required for the
implementation of the research
Indirect costs: Equivalent to 30% of the direct costs

Sharing the same issues⃝ Under one roof at the University of Tsukuba⃝ 2 to 5 years research period⃝ Dedicated to joint research⃝ Researchers

Research materials: Costs required for a researcher from acompany, etc., to conduct research at the University while still
employed by their company⃝ Facilities⃝ Experimental
equipment

Professors

Professors

Associate professors
Post-doctoral fellows

Associate
professors

Graduate students

Researchers

Companies⃝ Funds⃝ Researchers⃝ Material ofresearch, etc.

Joint ResearchCommissioned Research

Academic Consulting

These are joint research projects
conducted in collaboration between auniversity and a company, etc., on an
equal footing. The University receives
research funding and researchers fromthe company, etc., and the University
and the company, etc., share theresponsibility for the research.

This is research that is commissioned
by a company, etc., for which
the university receives researchfunds or equipment, and conducts
research on a specific subject
as part of the university's duties.
The results of the research will bereported to the company, etc., thatcommissioned the research.

This is the provision of instruction
and advice etc. by faculty members
regarding particular issues
commissioned by corporations
and conducted as university workin accordance with their specialist
knowledge in education, research andtechnology.

Expenses to be borne by the companies, etc.
Direct costs

Indirect costs

Researchcosts

Direct costs: Expenses that are directly required for the
implementation of the research
Indirect costs: Equivalent to 30% of the direct costs
Research materials: Costs required for a researcher froma company, etc., to conduct research at the University whilestill employed by their company

Expenses to be borne by the companies, etc.

Expenses to be borne by the companies, etc.
Direct costs

Indirect costs

Direct costs: Expenses that are directly required forthe implementation of the research

Direct costs

Indirect costs

Direct costs: Expenses directly required to implement
the guidance
Indirect costs: Equivalent to 10% of the direct costs

Indirect costs: Equivalent to 30% of the direct costs

Implementation flow
Facultymember❶ Prior consultation

Companies, etc.

⓫ Report on research findings❽ Memorandum of❷ Application❹ Notification of acceptance❺ Contractconclusion

understanding
regarding HR

HR personnel

University (President)

Director ofcontracts❾ Notification of contract conclusion❸ Acceptance consultation❼ Notification of contract
completion❿ Research completion report

Dean, etc.

❹ Notification of acceptance❻ Notification of contract conclusion❿ Notice of research completion❿ Research completion report

The procedures in ❽ are for special joint research projects only

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/jointresearch/for_company_jointresearch/
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

5

Intellectual property management
Intellectual property policy
University of Tsukuba have traditionally contributed to society through the implementation of higher education and academic
research, but as the problems facing society and humanity have become increasingly serious in recent years, expectations
for the intellectual property rights of the university have increased. In order to meet this social need, it is important for
the university to give consideration to commercialization through the exercise of intellectual property rights in addition to
publishing their research findings in academic papers as they have done in the past. At the same time, establishing ways
to manage the university’s intellectual property rights will make the relationship between the university and companies moretransparent and understandable to those on the outside and clarify the basis for individual compensation.

Relationship between research/invention and development of Industry

Research
Fundings

Research
Results

Conference
Presentations
Paper
Publications

Developmentof Science andTechnology

Invention

Applicationand otherprocedures

PatentRegisteredTechnology
Transfer

LicensegrantedEmployee's
invention
If an invention is
made, a notificationof invention mustbe submitted.

・In the meantime,
consider whether
to file a foreign
Apply before
application.
the publication!
・It takes about 5 years
from application toregistration.

What if it develops?

Developmentof Industry

Social implementationof inventions, suchas licensing or
assignment of patent.

Licensing policy(1) Emphasizes the realization of the social implementation of technology through licensing
 he acquisition of remuneration is a side effect, and the true purpose of licensing is the social implementation ofT
the university’s research results.

(2) Gives consideration to the development of university start-ups and local businessesIn addition to encouraging university-originated entrepreneurship, the University places importance on cooperation
with local companies, and will give consideration to various licensing conditions from the primary perspective offostering university start-ups and local companies.

(3) Pays attention to the social reputation of the licensee
It is important that the social implementation of research results is done in a socially appropriate way. Licensing
should be conducted in a manner in which the results ensure the maintenance of public order, morality, and legal
compliance.

(4) Respects the independence of education and research
Education and research are the core business of the university, and the licensing of intellectual property rights
should be in accordance with this premise.

(5) The intellectual creation cycleW e seek to maintain balance in the cycle of creation (creating inventions), protection (filing patents and obtaining
rights), and utilization (licensing).

6

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

Overview of support for social implementationand entrepreneurship
Integrated support for social implementation and entrepreneurship
The University of Tsukuba supports the social implementation of research results and entrepreneurship through its “Social
Implementation Support Project,” on-campus open competition program, “Entrepreneurial Education” for students andresearchers, the University of Tsukuba Start-Ups Business Acceleration Support Action (JST START (University PromotionType)), an internal program to promote the creation of university start-ups, and the “Open Innovation Strategy Organization”,
a management system designed to promote large-scale joint research by industry and academia.

Social implementation
support project
Project for IndustryUniversity Collaboration
Strengthening in Tsukuba(Combined funding)

R&D Project with
Inter-Faculty Team

Practical
entrepreneurshipeducation
Joint
Research

P. 8
Support for social implementation and entrepreneurship-1

Support for social implementation and entrepreneurship-2

Project for Industry-University Collaboration Strengthening in Tsukuba
The purpose of this program is to support joint research between the University of Tsukuba and research and development
organizations in the Tsukuba area, and to promote research activities aimed at technology transfer from the University ofTsukuba to the industrial sector and new business startups.

National Agriculture and Food
Research Organization (NARO)
Ibaraki University

Co-creation
with start-ups

Mentoring

Start-up growth
support

P.10

P.11

Support for social implementation and entrepreneurship-3

JST START University Promotion Type

Entrepreneurial education at the University of Tsukuba is conducted through class courses in the undergraduate andgraduate schools, Tsukuba Generation Entrepreneur Development Program, for entrepreneurship and literacy education, andpractical education.

JST START university promotion type (the former "SCORE"), a project operated by the Japan Science and Technology
Agency (JST), is a program that aims to promote the creation of university start-ups with high growth potential based on
outstanding technological seeds from universities. The University of Tsukuba was selected for the project in the 2020
academic year, and since the 2022 academic year has been promoting its program called “University of Tsukuba StartUps Business Acceleration Support Action.” We also carry out activities to support the creation of university start-ups on asustainable basis even after the five-year START university promotion type project ends.

Faculty of Pure andApplied Sciences

Faculty of Engineering,
Information and Systems
Faculty of Life andEnvironmental Sciences

Faculty of
Art and Design

Faculty of
Medicine

Learn how to avoid failure when launching a start-up■BasicUniversity ofTsukuba

Private-sector
companies

University of Tsukuba
faculty & students
University of Tsukuba

Promotion of R&D forstart-ups creation

Course on
growing start-ups
post-launch

University
start-ups

Promote R&D forgrowing start-ups

Promotion of joint
research with privatesector firms

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

344

348

Total support during the three phases from the cultivation of entrepreneurial seeds to the business concept

250
200
150

155

Start-up consultation office100
50

Entrepreneurial seed bank
2017

2018

B. Creation and investigation of social value C. Business concept

Identifying and fostering
A. entrepreneurial
seeds

163

2019

2020

2021

2022 (FY)

Pre-hands-on support
IP review
Cultivation of anentrepreneurial mind■■ Entrepreneurial course to build up skills for creating start-ups■■ Essential knowledge about IP management for entrepreneurs■■ Next-generation entrepreneur training seminar■■ Tsukuba Entrepreneur Development Program■■ Tsukuba Creative Camp●●

Tsukuba Entrepreneur Development Program●

The program enables researchers acquire essential skills,
transforming research seeds into an investible business plan●On-campus search for
seeds
Entrepreneurial seedsupport project

University of Tsukuba Start-Ups Business Acceleration Support Action(a) Matching technology with market needs(proof of concept (PoC))

Strengthen IP
Assess prototype

Prepare sales pitch for Demo Day

Design business model(b) Hands-on mentoring (meetings with outside mentors and on-campus development mentors)

Overseas training

Gate 2 (Decide on a business direction)

Funds support (GAP Fund)

Multi-faceted entrepreneurial education
and building of a data base of seeds

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/course/

10

Global collaborative activities utilizing
the University of Tsukuba's U.S. bases.
① Silicon Valley ② Boston ③ San Diego

Commercialization of research findings by university Strengthen the start-up ecosystemstart-ups■ J oint research ■ D onations[Change in indicators]No. of projects ➡ Amt. of funds raised ➡ Market capitalization ➡ Sales■S tock option■E ducation

Promotion through collaboration between four subcommittees and specialized teams■S ubcommittees: Security Export Control, Conflicts of Interest, Information Security, Competition Policy■T eams of experts: University of Tsukuba Office of Conflicts of Interest and Security Export Control, Information

Technology Promotion Agency (IPA)

Project overview
The Open Innovation Strategy Organization is currently promoting projects in six different fields (agriculture, life sciences,
biotechnology, services, smart cities, and environmental energy).
Two of these projects are described below.

Project : Agri-food peer

Project : Materials Science for Carbon Neutrality

Agriculture

Environmental energy

A world first, this project uses genome-editing technology (CRISPR/
Cas9) to develop tomatoes that are rich in GABA (gamma
aminobutyric acid). Notification to government agencies has been
completed, and product marketing began in May 2021.

This project involves the development of hydrogen boride nanosheets,a new material with high potential for application in hydrogenproduction and storage, carbon dioxide adsorption, and fuelconversion, to meet the needs of industry for carbon neutrality by 2050.

Start-up
or
JST START
University
Promotion Type

Filling in technology gaps witha detailed mentoring program

Gate 3 (Business strategy assessment)￥

Providing gates to brush up
toward sure-fire start-ups

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/score/

9

Establishment of the International Center for IndustryUniversity Collaboration and Start-up Development■ Inter-organizational collaboration with overseas firms■ F unding raising from overseas investors(c) Selection and Evaluation at 3 gates
Gate 1 (Choose an R&D topic)

Improving English sales pitch skills and understanding overseas markets

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

International
expansion of open
innovation

Complete plan aimed
at investors

Assess marketability
From business model to planning stage

Optimal group of faculty members to meet joint
Unique system for medium- to long-term large-scale
Plan to increase
research needs of companies
joint research
external funding■B uild faculty teams based on the Faculty Database by ■ R&D Centers: Externally fundedthrough needs-driven
industrial area■S
 pecial joint research projects: Company representatives
joint research
hired as faculty members■W orkshops to develop joint research topics

Complianceframework

About six teams will be selected each year for five years starting from academic year 2020, and professional mentors will beassigned to each team to provide hands-on support necessary for commercialization. In addition, financial support (the GAPFund) is also provided.

318

Characteristics

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/iucproject/

8

Entrepreneurial course to build up skills for creating start-ups

320

300

0

Researchers with research seeds learn the basic knowledge forcreating start-ups

Rentingout ofresearch
space

350

Solicitation

The purpose of this program is to support joint research between the University of Tsukuba and companies in order topromote research activities with the goal of technology transfer from the University to industry and new Start-ups creation.
The following three courses are available.

Learn how to construct a business model andgain practical entrepreneurial knowhow■Advanced Aspiring entrepreneurs create realistic plans forstarting up businesses

Excludes overseas training(pepole)The Open Innovation Strategy Organization (OISO) was founded in October 2019, after the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology selected the University of Tsukuba for its Open Innovation Organization Development
Project. The OISO facilitates industry-university collaboration by matching the University of Tsukuba’s superior researchcapabilities with corporate needs to create innovations that can be implemented in society. To achieve this, we have brought
together people with experience in a broad range of fields and are committed to the following activities on an ongoing basis.

Strengthening theStart-up Ecosystem

Realization ofsustainable
university
Start-up creation
activities

TSUBASA is a guiding light for researchers
Crossing the Valley of Death between research and commercialization with TSUBASA

Changes in the number of students taking
entrepreneurial education courses

Overview of courses
Next Generation Entrepreneur Training Course
Learn about entrepreneurship to solve social problems
Essential knowledge of management and intellectual property for entrepreneurs

Establishment and expansion of support environment (GAP funds management, etc.)
and framework
Preparation and implementation of plans to secure the necessary funding after the
support period is over
Promotion of acquisition of shares or stock option of start-ups from the University of Tsukuba
Establishment of rules and regulations, etc.

5 Years

We are accelerating the creation of university start-ups through the fostering of entrepreneurial spirit and practical education.
The curriculum is expanding, and the number of students enrolled in our entrepreneurship education program is increasing
every year.

Funding
supportFaculty of Library,
Information andMedia Sciences

Project for Commercialization Promotion

Course on criteria
for establishinga start-up

Start-up

0.5 – 1 yr

Examples of efforts to realize sustainable support forentrepreneurial activities after the support period ends:

Achievements in entrepreneurial education

Tsukuba Creative Camp

Industry-University
joint researchcoursesPrototypes, data, etc.

5 Years

No. of pepole

Faculty of Business
Sciences

University
Promotion
Type

Assessment results

HQ for Int’l IndustryUniversity Collaboration

Accelerating the social implementation of researchfindings through collaboration between multiple
faculty groups within the University

JST
START

DemoDay*Held once a year

Business model creation and improvement
Customer focus groups using prototypes, data, etc.

Headquarters for International
Industry-University Collaboration

University of Tsukuba

The purpose of this program is to support research projects that are carried out through collaboration among researchers
across organizational frameworks within the university in order to generate innovation.

Faculty of Healthand Sport Sciences

Program overview

Examples of entrepreneurial activity
support program:

University of Tsukuba

Funding
supportR&D Project with Inter-Faculty Team

Faculty of Human
Sciences

Open Innovation Strategy Organization

Courses in entrepreneurship

Promote research activities
aimed at technology
transfer to industry and newentrepreneurial start-ups

Faculty of Humanities
and Social Sciences

Support for social implementation and entrepreneurship-4

University of Tsukuba Start-Ups
Business Acceleration Support Action

Researcher

Other R&D organizations

Int’lexpansion

Practical support forstart-up creation PoC(Proof of Concept)

Private-sector
companies

Entrepreneurial education

The University of Tsukuba is implementing three on-campus open projects to support the social implementation of its research results.

University of Tsukuba

promotion of
the Start-ups
ecosystem

P. 9Social implementation support project

National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science andTechnology (AIST)

Accelerating
Entrepreneurshipfrom Seeds

Start-ups

Loan of research lab space

Research costs provided“Combined funding” modelOpen Innovation
Strategy
Organization

Practical lectureson essential
entrepreneurial skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Commercialization promotion

University of Tsukuba
Start-Ups BusinessAcceleration Support Action

Commercialization

Joint research with National Researchand Development Agency

Entrepreneurial
education

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

https://oiso.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

11

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

7Support for social implementation and entrepreneurship-1

Social implementation support project
The University of Tsukuba is implementing three on-campus open projects to support the social implementation of its research results.

Project for Industry-University Collaboration Strengthening in Tsukuba
The purpose of this program is to support joint research between the University of Tsukuba and research and development
organizations in the Tsukuba area, and to promote research activities aimed at technology transfer from the University ofTsukuba to the industrial sector and new business startups.

Research costs provided“Combined funding” model

National Agriculture and Food
Research Organization (NARO)

National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science andTechnology (AIST)

University of Tsukuba

Other R&D organizations

Ibaraki University

Funding
supportPromote research activities
aimed at technology
transfer to industry and newentrepreneurial start-ups

R&D Project with Inter-Faculty TeamThe purpose of this program is to support research projects that are carried out through collaboration among researchers
across organizational frameworks within the university in order to generate innovation.

Faculty of Humanities
and Social Sciences

Faculty of Business
Sciences

Faculty of Pure andApplied Sciences

Faculty of Engineering,
Information and Systems

Faculty of Human
Sciences

Accelerating the social implementation of researchfindings through collaboration between multiple
faculty groups within the University

Faculty of Life andEnvironmental Sciences

Faculty of Healthand Sport Sciences

Faculty of
Art and Design

Faculty of
Medicine

Funding
supportFaculty of Library,
Information andMedia Sciences

Project for Commercialization Promotion
The purpose of this program is to support joint research between the University of Tsukuba and companies in order topromote research activities with the goal of technology transfer from the University to industry and new Start-ups creation.
The following three courses are available.

Industry-University
joint researchcourses

University ofTsukubaCourse on criteria
for establishinga start-up

University of Tsukuba
faculty & students
University of Tsukuba

Promotion of R&D forstart-ups creation

Course on
growing start-ups
post-launch

University
start-ups

Promote R&D forgrowing start-ups

Private-sector
companies

Promotion of joint
research with privatesector firms

Rentingout ofresearch
space

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/iucproject/8

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of TsukubaSupport for social implementation and entrepreneurship-2

Entrepreneurial education
Courses in entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial education at the University of Tsukuba is conducted through class courses in the undergraduate andgraduate schools, Tsukuba Generation Entrepreneur Development Program, for entrepreneurship and literacy education, andpractical education.

Achievements in entrepreneurial education
We are accelerating the creation of university start-ups through the fostering of entrepreneurial spirit and practical education.
The curriculum is expanding, and the number of students enrolled in our entrepreneurship education program is increasing
every year.

Changes in the number of students taking
entrepreneurial education courses

Overview of courses
Next Generation Entrepreneur Training Course

350

Learn about entrepreneurship to solve social problems

Learn how to avoid failure when launching a start-up
Tsukuba Creative Camp
■BasicLearn how to construct a business model andgain practical entrepreneurial knowhow
Aspiring
entrepreneurs create realistic plans for■Advanced
starting up businesses

Researchers with research seeds learn the basic knowledge forcreating start-ups

348

2020

2021

318

250
200
150

155

163

2017

2018

100
50
0

Entrepreneurial course to build up skills for creating start-ups

320

344

300

No. of pepole

Essential knowledge of management and intellectual property for entrepreneurs

Excludes overseas training(pepole)20192022 (FY)■■ Entrepreneurial course to build up skills for creating start-ups■■ Essential knowledge about IP management for entrepreneurs■■ Next-generation entrepreneur training seminar■■ Tsukuba Entrepreneur Development Program■■ Tsukuba Creative Camp

Tsukuba Entrepreneur Development Program
The program enables researchers acquire essential skills,
transforming research seeds into an investible business plan
Overseas training
Improving English sales pitch skills and understanding overseas markets

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/course/
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

9Support for social implementation and entrepreneurship-3

University of Tsukuba Start-Ups
Business Acceleration Support Action
JST START University Promotion TypeJST START university promotion type (the former "SCORE"), a project operated by the Japan Science and Technology
Agency (JST), is a program that aims to promote the creation of university start-ups with high growth potential based on
outstanding technological seeds from universities. The University of Tsukuba was selected for the project in the 2020
academic year, and since the 2022 academic year has been promoting its program called “University of Tsukuba StartUps Business Acceleration Support Action.” We also carry out activities to support the creation of university start-ups on asustainable basis even after the five-year START university promotion type project ends.
Examples of entrepreneurial activity
support program:

University of Tsukuba

JST
START

DemoDay

University
Promotion
Type*Held once a year

Business model creation and improvement
Customer focus groups using prototypes, data, etc.
Assessment results

Researcher

Prototypes, data, etc.

Headquarters for International
Industry-University Collaboration

Start-up

0.5 – 1 yr

5 Years

University of Tsukuba

Examples of efforts to realize sustainable support forentrepreneurial activities after the support period ends:

HQ for Int’l IndustryUniversity Collaboration

Establishment and expansion of support environment (GAP funds management, etc.)
and framework
Preparation and implementation of plans to secure the necessary funding after the
support period is over
Promotion of acquisition of shares or stock option of start-ups from the University of Tsukuba
Establishment of rules and regulations, etc.

Realization ofsustainable
university
Start-up creation
activities

5 Years

TSUBASA is a guiding light for researchers
Crossing the Valley of Death between research and commercialization with TSUBASA
About six teams will be selected each year for five years starting from academic year 2020, and professional mentors will beassigned to each team to provide hands-on support necessary for commercialization. In addition, financial support (the GAPFund) is also provided.

Total support during the three phases from the cultivation of entrepreneurial seeds to the business concept

B. Creation and investigation of social value C. Business concept

and fostering
A. Identifying
entrepreneurial seeds
Start-up consultation officePre-hands-on support● IP review● Cultivation of anentrepreneurial mind
On-campus search forseeds● Entrepreneurial seedsupport project(a) Matching technology with market needs
Solicitation

Entrepreneurial seed bank

University of Tsukuba Start-Ups Business Acceleration Support Action(proof of concept (PoC))

Strengthen IP
Assess prototype

Complete plan aimed
at investors

Assess marketability
From business model to planning stage

Prepare sales pitch for Demo Day

Design business model(b) Hands-on mentoring (meetings with outside mentors and on-campus development mentors)

Start-up
or
JST START
University
Promotion Type●(c) Selection and Evaluation at 3 gates
Gate 1 (Choose an R&D topic)

Gate 2 (Decide on a business direction)

Funds support (GAP Fund)

Characteristics

Multi-faceted entrepreneurial education
and building of a data base of seeds

Filling in technology gaps witha detailed mentoring program

Gate 3 (Business strategy assessment)￥

Providing gates to brush up
toward sure-fire start-ups

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/score/

10

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of TsukubaSupport for social implementation and entrepreneurship-4

Open Innovation Strategy Organization
Program overview
The Open Innovation Strategy Organization (OISO) was founded in October 2019, after the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology selected the University of Tsukuba for its Open Innovation Organization Development
Project. The OISO facilitates industry-university collaboration by matching the University of Tsukuba’s superior researchcapabilities with corporate needs to create innovations that can be implemented in society. To achieve this, we have brought
together people with experience in a broad range of fields and are committed to the following activities on an ongoing basis.
Optimal group of faculty members to meet joint
Unique system for medium- to long-term large-scale
Plan to increase
research needs of companies
joint research
external funding■ Build faculty teams based on the Faculty Database by ■ R&D Centers: Externally fundedthrough needs-driven
industrial area
■ Special joint research projects: Company representatives
joint research
hired as faculty members■ Workshops to develop joint research topics

International
expansion of open
innovation
Strengthening theStart-up Ecosystem
Complianceframework

Establishment of the International Center for IndustryUniversity Collaboration and Start-up Development■ Inter-organizational collaboration with overseas firms■ Funding raising from overseas investors

Global collaborative activities utilizing
the University of Tsukuba's U.S. bases.
① Silicon Valley② Boston③ San Diego

Commercialization of research findings by university Strengthen the start-up ecosystemstart-ups■ J oint research ■ D onations[Change in indicators] No. of projects ➡
Amt. of funds raised ➡ Market capitalization ➡ Sales■ Stock option■E ducation

Promotion through collaboration between four subcommittees and specialized teams■S ubcommittees: Security Export Control, Conflicts of Interest, Information Security, Competition Policy■T eams of experts: University of Tsukuba Office of Conflicts of Interest and Security Export Control, Information

Technology Promotion Agency (IPA)

Project overview
The Open Innovation Strategy Organization is currently promoting projects in six different fields (agriculture, life sciences,
biotechnology, services, smart cities, and environmental energy).
Two of these projects are described below.

Project : Agri-food peer

Project : Materials Science for Carbon Neutrality

Agriculture

Environmental energy

A world first, this project uses genome-editing technology (CRISPR/
Cas9) to develop tomatoes that are rich in GABA (gamma
aminobutyric acid). Notification to government agencies has been
completed, and product marketing began in May 2021.

This project involves the development of hydrogen boride nanosheets,a new material with high potential for application in hydrogenproduction and storage, carbon dioxide adsorption, and fuelconversion, to meet the needs of industry for carbon neutrality by 2050.

https://oiso.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

11

University Start-ups
The University of Tsukuba’s Start-up ecosystem
In order to continuously and autonomously realize the social implementation of research results and the supply ofentrepreneurial human resources to society, we are working on the following areas, from entrepreneur education toentrepreneurship itself.

Flow back of funds
Venture capital firms
Angel investors

University of Tsukuba
Education / nurturing
Entrepreneurial education
Start-up consultation office

Entrepreneurial support(GAP funds, PoC support)

University start-ups

University of Tsukuba
Start-Ups BusinessAcceleration Support Action

Major corporations

Fund raising
Capital gains

Growth of university
start-ups
Initial public offering (IPO)
M&A
Business partnerships
HR spin-outs

Flow back of human resources

Support for the creation of start-ups
The University of Tsukuba’s support for the creation of start-ups consists of:(1) comprehensive coordination, (2) funding and space allocation, (3) entrepreneurial education, and (4) University ofTsukuba Start-Ups Business Acceleration Support Action.

Start-up consultation office was established in 2020 to offer onestop consultations for students and university faculty on anythingthat has to do with start-ups.
Depending on the content of the discussion, advice will be provided
on business models, IPO projects and entrepreneurship education
courses, and introductions tostart-up support services offeredby public institutions, etc.
Startup Support staff canalso give consultations.

(2) Funding and space(1) Comprehensive contact point

Start-up consultation office

Crosssupport

Funding support for joint research with national research institutes, etc. in
the Tsukuba area

⃝ R&D Project with Inter-Faculty Team

Funding support for university faculty aimed at social implementation ofresearch finding from interdisciplinary projects⃝ Project for Commercialization Promotion

Gives funding support and leases university facilities to faculty, graduate
students, and university start-ups for the realization of social implementationof research results⃝ [Curriculum] Next Generation Entrepreneur Training Course
Learning entrepreneurship to solve social problems

The program was selected for the Japan Science and Technology
Agency (JST) START (University Promotion Type) program in 2020.
Since 2022 it has been promoting its program called “Universityof Tsukuba Start-Ups Business Acceleration Support Action.”
The purpose of the SCORE Program is to promote the creation ofuniversity Start-ups that have high growth potential due to their
excellent seeds.

(3) Entrepreneurship education(4) Entrepreneurial support

University of Tsukuba Start-Ups BusinessAcceleration Support Action⃝ Project for Industry-University Collaboration Strengthening
in Tsukuba⃝ [Curriculum] Essential knowledge of management andintellectual property for entrepreneurs
Gives practical knowledge on how to start a business without failing⃝ [Curriculum] Tsukuba Creative Camp

Basic: Experience building a business model
Advanced: Students aspiring to be entrepreneurs create a realistic plan for astart-up⃝ E ntrepreneurial course to build up skills for creating start-ups

Researchers with research seeds learn the basic knowledge for creating
start-ups⃝ Tsukuba Entrepreneur Development Program

The program enables researchers acquire essential skills, transforming
research seeds into an investable business plan

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/spin_offs/

12

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

Initiatives to create start-ups in the Tsukuba region
Tsukuba Science City is a treasure trove of large-scale tech seeds and is home to about 20,000 researchers.
As a hub for education and research, the University of Tsukuba promotes the discovery of entrepreneurial seeds and thecreation of Start-ups in the Tsukuba region by providing financial support and entrepreneurial education.

Tsukuba Science City
29 national and otherresearch and educational
institutions● About 150 private
research institutions &companies● About 20,000 researchers●

University of Tsukuba
Entrepreneurship education

Funding support(public projects)
Project for Industry-University Collaboration
Strengthening in Tsukuba

Tsukuba Entrepreneur Development Program

Data on Start-ups from the University of Tsukuba
The University of Tsukuba boasts one of the largest numbers of university start-ups among all the universities in Japan, andthe amount of both funds raised by start-ups from University of Tsukuba and joint research with them has been steadily
increasing in recent years.
(millions of JPY)
12,000Funds raised by Start-ups from University of Tsukuba
10,815

10,000

Funds

6,848

0

1,455
2017

144

132

155

161

2019

2020

186

212

100

4,000
2,000

(cumulative number of certified cases)

250

150

5,488

5,048

6,000

Number of Start-ups from University of Tsukuba

200

8,431

8,000

(companies)

50
2018

2019

2020

2021

0

2022 (FY)

2017

2018

2021

2022 (FY)

Number of university start-ups (ranking)

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Univ. of Tokyo

268 (1)271 (1)268 (1)323 (1)329 (1)371 (1)

Kyoto Univ.

154 (2)164 (2)191 (2)222 (2)242 (2)267 (2)

Keio Univ.

69 (11)81 (8)

85 (8)

90 (10)175 (5)236 (3)

Univ. of Tsukuba

104 (3)111 (3)114 (6)146 (4)178 (4)217 (4)

Osaka Univ.

102 (4)106 (4)141 (3)168 (3)180 (3)191 (5)

86 (8)

104 (5)121 (4)145 (5)157 (6)179 (6)

Tohoku Univ.

(From the report on the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry Field Survey on University-Sponsored Start-ups)

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/spin_offs/year/
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

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Research & Development (R&D) Center
What are R&D Centers?
R&D Centers are organizations that operate solely through external funding that have been established under the
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration since July 1, 2015. The purpose of the Centers is to create
joint industry-government-university research systems in academic fields with high levels of social demand.

University of Tsukuba mission

Contribute to society

Research

Education

R&D Centers, etc.

Undergraduate,
graduate school

R&D organization operated solely through external funding
PurposeOperations⃝ Creating innovation⃝ Introducing human resources from enterprises⃝ Speeding up research⃝ Fostering human resources with a high awareness ofindustry-university collaboration and entrepreneurship

1. E stablish an industry-government-university researchorganization for academic fields with high levels of social need
2. L ocated in an on-campus facility.For a period of five years, withthe possibility of extension.Operated with external funding
3. Name should be “________ R&D Center”

Further accelerating socially beneficial R&D
Twelve R&D Centers were in operation as of April 2023. *Cumulative total of 14 centers established.
Research at the centers covers a broad range of fields, and they are making constant social contributions through joint
research and other programs with the private sector.

Research &development

Precision Medicine

Frontiers of MIRAI in Policy and Technology$1,000 genome analysis

Advanced research on mobility infrastructureSport Innovation

Health Services

Promoting the Athletic Dept.

Health services research

Tailor-made QOL

Working Persons’ Psychological Support

Improving everyone’s QOL

Research and social contributions regarding
psychological support for working people

Socialcontribution
Socialimplementation

Innovative Material Characterization

Innovative Drug Discovery

Promoting R&D for new measurement and evaluation tech

Identifying and nurturing need-based seeds, frombasic research to R&D

Digital Nature

Smart Wellness City Policies

Promoting research on the co-creation environment between
information media devices and people

Contributing to policy proposals and human resource development for the creation of
cities that can realize a society of health and longevity

Lifestyle Innovation

Zero CO2 Emission with Functional Materials

Exploring lifestyle for health and well-being for the future

Toward carbon neutrality and hydrogen economy

For more information on the research activities of each center, please refer to the introductory
videos and pamphlets available at the following URL.

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/2017rd/

14

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

Domestic collaboration(Industry-University Collaboration platform)
What is the Industry-University Collaboration platform?
The Industry-University Collaboration platform provides “a place for co-creation”
where companies and participating institutions can collaborate. Anyone canbrowse the research seeds, and inquiries about the seeds are handled freeof charge, while consultations from companies and other organizations areforwarded to participating institutions by the University of Tsukuba.
We also offer infographic video clips about patent information that explain
patents in an easily understandable way.

Searching for technology data
We publish on research seeds in six fields.

Health & medical
equipment

Food

Environment/energy

IoT/robots

Next-generation
automobiles

Manufacturing(monozukuri)

Participating organizations (17 universities, 5 national research institutions, 1 technical college)
The Industry-University Collaboration platform is operated by the University of Tsukuba and publishes the research seeds ofparticipating organizations.
Twenty-three institutions have joined the platform, which has now published more than 900 research seeds on its website (asof March 31, 2023).

Hokkaido

Hokkaido Univ., Obihiro Univ. of Agric. andVeterinary Medicine, Muroran Inst. ofTechnology, Otaru Univ. of Commerce

Kanto

Univ. of Tsukuba, Tsukuba Univ. of Technology,
Chiba Univ., Ibaraki Univ., National Agriculture& Food Research Organization, Gunma Univ.,
Chuo Univ., Japan Atomic Energy Agency,
National Inst. of Technology Tokyo College,
National Inst. for Quantum Science &Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan Univ.,
Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture & Technology,
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science andTechnology, National Institute forEnvironmental Studies

Chubu

Japan Advanced Inst. of Science & Technology,
Nagoya Inst. of Technology

Chugoku

Hiroshima Univ.

KyushuKyushu Univ., Kyushu Inst. of Technology

Hokkaido

Chubu
Chugoku

Kanto

Kyushuhttps://sme-univ-coop.jp/
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

15

Overseas activities
Establishing overseas locations
We have offices at the Laboratory of Intellectual Innovation (LII) in Silicon Valley, USA, and a co-working space at the Cambridge
Innovation Center (CIC) in Boston, USA, where we promote international joint research and entrepreneurial development. In the
future, we plan to expand international operations further by setting up bases of operation in Europe and Asia.

Laboratory of Intellectual Innovation (LII)

Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)

Recent initiatives in international expansion
The Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration promotes the international development of industrygovernment-university collaborative activities and entrepreneurial development.

Mar. 2019

Sent a team selected by the Project for
Exploration and Development of Global
Entrepreneurship for NEXT Generation(EDGE-NEXT) to a joint overseas training
program with Taiwan National University

May. 2019
Aug. 2019

We are the first Japanese university to
become a sponsor of the Venture Café
Cambridge at the Cambridge Innovation
Center, where we host University ofTsukuba Night

Sept. 2019

Established the Open Innovation Strategy
Organization, which promotes interorganizational collaboration withoverseas firms and fundraising fromoverseas investors

Held Overseas Online Pitch Training,which teaches the art of Silicon Valley
pitches to teams selected by EDGE-NEXT

Oct. 2019Feb. 2020

Opened an activity base at the Cambridge
Innovation Center (CIC) in Boston, USA
Sent faculty and students with strong startup mindsets to Boston to run theInternational Unicorn Development
Program, which nurtures global start-ups
Sent a team of seasoned and budding
entrepreneurs to the University of California
San Diego (UCSD) to run the Global
Entrepreneurial Training Sessions at UCSD,
which trains future global start-ups

Jan. 2021
Jan. 2023

16

Opened an office at the Laboratory ofIntellectual Innovation (LII) in Silicon Valley,
USA

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

Hi-impact Research Program with the
University of Tsukuba(IMPUT), which
encourages U.S. companies and research
institutions to conduct joint research on
advanced research projects

Extension program
Program overview
Since 2016, the University of Tsukuba has been offering programs to improve the development of the knowledge and skills
that are needed by both working professionals and the general public by disseminating and spreading the University’s
academic research findings, including specialized research results for which there are high levels of social and corporate
need, with the aim of contributing to the cultivation of the knowledge and skills that are needed in work and day-to-day living.

Program Achievement

(pcs)

35

31pcs

Number of Seminars

30

23pcs

25

19pcs

20

14pcs

15
10
5
0

23pcs
14pcs

5pcs
2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Annual number ofapplicants acceptedMore than(FY)

Satisfaction rate

%

Tailor-made training services
The most important point about creating measures for
management issues is whether they are appropriate foryour company’s specific needs.
Our extension program brings together the latest researchknowledge from the University of Tsukuba and provides
an evidence-based academic approach to the individual
management issues faced by individual companies.

For companies focusing on HR development andthose seeking corporate training content,
please don't miss out on this opportunity!

On-demand courses launched !

We will respond to your request !
Please feel free to contact us !
Popular courses are always available.
It’s possible to apply courses at your preferred time.
*Each course has its own period of time to view.
You could take courses which use for career education to developinterests or studies at your preferred time and place.

Based on research conducted by
the University of Tsukuba, we willpropose a training program that issuitable for your company.

https://extension.sec.tsukuba.ac.jp/
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

17

Access
MatsumiPark

University of Tsukuba

HQ for International
Industry-University
Collaboration

Tsukuba Gakuin
University

University ofTsukubaGakuen Higashi O-dori Street

Gakuen Nishi O-dori Street

Tsukuba Campus Kasuga Area

Kita Odori Street

Tsukuba
EXPO Center

Exit A2
Kita Odori Street

Gakuen Nishi O-dori Street

Tsukuba Gakuin
University

Tsukuba Daigaku
Kasuga-area Mae
stop

Exit A1

Tsukuba Sta.

Tsukuba Central Park

Azuma
Elementary
SchoolPrefectural museum

Municipal library

Police box

Exit A3
TsukubaCenterHeadquarters for International
Industry-University Collaboration(Innovation Medical Research Institute)Access from Tsukuba Station (Tsukuba Express)
From Tsukuba Station (Exit A1 or A2), it's a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, You can take a bus or taxi from Tsukuba Station (Exit A3).

Bus

At the Tsukuba Center Bus Terminal, go to boarding area 6, and take either the University of Tsukuba Hospitalbus or the Tsukuba Daigaku Junkan Migi-Mawari bus, to the Tsukuba Daigaku Kasuga-area Mae stop.

https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/access/18

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

List of Websites and Social Media Channels
Websites
Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration
https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/

Industry-University Collaboration Platform
https://sme-univ-coop.jp/

Extension Program
https://extension.sec.tsukuba.ac.jp/

Open Innovation Strategy Organization (OISO)
https://oiso.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/

University of Tsukuba Start-Ups Business Acceleration Support Action
https://www.sanrenhonbu.tsukuba.ac.jp/score/

SNS
Twitter
https://twitter.com/innovation298/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/innovation298/

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/sanrenutsukuba/

Giving to the University of Tsukuba
We would appreciate your support on industry-university collaboration activities of the University of Tsukuba. If you could
consider making a donation to the University of Tsukuba, please contact us with the following email address.

sangaku-toku-katsu@un.tsukuba.ac.jp

Headquarters for International Industry-University Collaboration, University of Tsukuba

19

Headquarters for International
Industry-University Collaboration,
University of Tsukuba
Innovation Medical Research Institute 1F
1-2 Kasuga, Tsukuba, Ibaraki
305-8550, Japan

August, 2023