Startup Ecosystem Co-creation Program for the New Industry Creation Fund for
University Startups

HSFC
GAP Fund(Step 1)

Application Guidelines
Entry deadline: Noon on Friday, May 31, 2024
Submission deadline: Noon on Friday, July 12, 2024
April 2024
Hokkaido Startup Future Creation Development by Mutual Support Networks(HSFC)

1. Overview and purpose of the HSFC GAP Fund
The Hokkaido Startup Future Creation Development by Mutual Support Networks (HSFC)
platform with Hokkaido University as the main institution and universities and technical colleges in
Hokkaido as joint institutions was selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as aStartup Ecosystem Co-creation Program / Supporting the Co-creation of a Platform for a BaseCity for the New Industry Creation Fund for University Startups(JST Fund Program).
JST press release: https://www.jst.go.jp/pr/info/info1663/index.html
The HSFC GAP Fund (“this call for submissions”) is a GAP fund (Step 1: Pre-support; Step 2:
Startup formation) to support verification activities for creating startups based on technology
seeds developed by researchers and students (master’s course, PhD course) at universities andtechnical colleges participating in the platform. (This call for submissions is only for Step 1. A call forsubmissions for Step 2 is planned for around fall 2024.)
The GAP Fund is a fund for startup creation to carry out interviews with potential users, search forcofounders, build and test business ideas, and create and perform user testing of prototypes with theaim of creating a business.
Principal investigators selected in this call for submissions will receive close-following support
during the project period to start a business based on research seeds after support ends. They willlearn about capital strategies, business strategies, and intellectual strategies needed for starting abusiness and will have opportunities to be matched with venture capitals (VC) at events such as
Demo Day.
(1) JST Fund ProgramThis fund program (New Industry Creation Fund for University Startups) is based on Japanese
government schemes such as the Startup Development Five-year Plan and aims to strengthen
the ability of universities and other institutions in Japan to create startups. In addition to promoting
research and development with a view to commercializing the research and development results
and testing the potential for international business expansion, the program promotes theformation of an environment to facilitate provision of support for creating university-originatedstartups through industry-university-government co-creation centered on core universities andother institutions in the region.
(2) Targets of the JST Fund ProgramThis Fund Program aims to achieve the following targets by collaborating with relevant
institutions carrying out measures to promote growth of startups based on the Startup
Development Five-year Plan and implementing various types of programs including the current
one.
(1) To significantly improve, in terms of both quality and quantity, the creation of startups
originating from universities and other institutions in academia (“university-originatedstartups”) with the potential to have social and economic impact and the potential forbusiness growth including international expansion.
(2) To build a nationwide ecosystem that circulates human resources, knowledge, and capitalto support the continuous creation of university-originated startups.

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(3) Ideal state of the JST Fund Program
The aim is to create the following conditions among those involved in this Fund Program as asign that the above-mentioned targets have been achieved.
(1) New products or new services created by university-originated startups resolve social
issues, create new value, and enrich the lives of people in Japan and throughout theinternational community.
(2) Growth of university-originated startup projects creates jobs and achieves economic growth
in Japan.
(3) The accumulation of successful university-originated startups that bring social andeconomic value encourages many others to aspire to create and develop universityoriginated startups.
(4) Overview of the Hokkaido Startup Future Creation Development by Mutual Support Networks(HSFC)The HSFC is a platform for creating research and development-based startups originating fromuniversities and comprises multiple relevant institutions including universities and technicalcolleges scattered across a wide area in Hokkaido. The HSFC aims to create new industries in
the region based on the diverse research seeds in Hokkaido and works to strengthen andpromote networks. (As shown in the diagram below, it is made up of a core institution, partner
institutions, and collaborating institutions.)
In addition to supporting the creation of university-originating startups with the HSFC GAPFund (this call for submissions), the HSFC is engaged in activities such as running anentrepreneurship activity support program, training guidance and support staff to run anentrepreneur development program, developing an entrepreneurship environment, and building
an ecosystem within and outside of the platform.

2(5) Main terms used in the guidelines for this call for submissions

Seeds

Refers to research results that will be central in the aim forcommercialization. When submitting an application for this call forsubmissions, it is preferable to have obtained a patent for the respective
research results. However, it is also acceptable to submit an application
based on research results (such as software) for which a patentapplication is pending or scheduled or for which no patent application
will be filed. For example, cases in which AI technology created as
research results at a university or other institution or research results in
the humanities or social sciences will be used to attempt to resolve
social issues are also eligible.

Principal
investigator

The researcher or another person who is responsible for the researchand development in the research and development project for the GAP
Fund. The person who invented or a person who was involved ininventing the seeds that are central to the application at the time of
application.

Research anddevelopment
project

Although this varies greatly depending on the technological field or
the business field in which a company is to be created, in general, it isprimarily development of a prototype, acquisition of data to test ahypothesis (experimental results, calculation results), construction of abusiness model, securing of intellectual property, or establishment of amanagement team. Projects must be modified through discussion withcofounders and results of tests so that they are more suitable as astartup.

An organization that is responsible for development of a project forCommercializationcommercializing research results. The organization must collect thepromotingresources needed for commercialization and engage in efforts neededorganizationto achieve commercialization milestones by using those resources.

33. Application requirements and details of research and development
project
Overview of the HSFC GAP Fund:
Step 1 (Pre-support)
Phase

Step 2 (Startup formation)

Applied research

Proof of concept and startup formation

Definition and aim

Raise the results of basic
research to a stage at which
the business potential canbe evaluated.

The first part involves evaluating and testing
the project’s potential as a business and aims
to solve problems that must be cleared tolaunch the business (proof of concept). The
second part involves those activities as wellas continuing proof of concept activities withthe goal of forming a university-originatedstartup and reaching a level where venture
capitals can make investment decisions(startup formation).

Subsidy amountUp to 5 million yen

Up to 60 million yen

Subsidy period

About 1 year from theselection decision(agreement with JST)Up to 3 years from the selection decision(agreement with JST)

Call forsubmission
periodOnce/year

Once/year; scheduled for October

Planned numberof projects to be
selected

About 24

About 4Agrifood category

About 7 of the projects

None*
The part in the thick box (Step 1) is for the current call for submissions.
* Agrifood category: This sector has been set by the HSFC as a key field. A special category has
been set to secure a certain number of selections. Decide if a project falls under the agrifood
category based on application or market rather than research field. The HSFC envisions projects
that fall under the agrifood category to be as follows:(1) A project that helps develop or resolve issues in agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries
or in the food industry. Agriculture includes dairy farming and livestock farming, and the foodindustry primarily includes not only processing of food products, but also distribution andmarketing (export).
(2) Research seeds that are the core may be in not only agricultural science, fisheries science,or livestock science, but also mechanical engineering (e.g., robots), information engineering(e.g., AI, IoT), chemistry, or other sciences that contribute to agricultural, forestry, and fisheryindustries or the food industry.
Eligible research and development projects:
With the aim of bridging the gap between research results of research institutes andentrepreneurship/commercialization towards commercialization, projects are limited to testing the4feasibility of creating a business, improving knowledge of business models, acquiring data todevelop a prototype or test a hypothesis (e.g., experimental results, calculation results), market
research, or securing of intellectual property. In addition, this subsidy cannot be used for simple
basic research purposes or for a startup business that already exists or has been launched.
Principal investigator:
Researchers and students who belong to the following institutions (master’s or PhD course)Core institution:

Hokkaido University

Partner institutions:Otaru University of Commerce; Sapporo Medical University; MuroranInstitute of Technology; Kitami Institute of Technology; Future University
Hakodate; Hokkaido University of Science; Hokkaido Information
University; National Institute of Technology, Tomakomai College;
National Institute of Technology, Asahikawa College; National Instituteof Technology, Hakodate College

Collaborating institutions: Asahikawa Medical University; Obihiro University of Agriculture andVeterinary Medicine; Hokkaido University of Education; Sapporo City
University; Chitose Institute of Science and Technology; Fuji Women's
University; Rakuno Gakuen University; Hakodate University; National
Institute of Technology, Kushiro College* If selected, the university to which the applicant belongs must sign a sponsored research
agreement with the JST. The university cannot sign an agreement with the JST unless it isa partner institution. If the university to which you belong is a collaborating institution, it
must become a partner institution. Please contact the office listed under ‘about partner
institutions’ on page 7 of these call for submission guidelines before submitting an application.
Requirements for principal investigators:
The principal investigator for the research and development project must meet all the following
requirements:(1) At the time of application and during the research period, is a researcher or student(master’s or PhD course) at the respective university or other institution and the person who
invented or a person who was involved in inventing the seeds that are central to theresearch and development project. When submitting an application, it is preferable to haveobtained a patent for the respective research results. However, we will also consider
applications based on research results (such as software) for which a patent application ispending or scheduled or for which no patent application will be filed. For example, we may
also accept cases in which AI technology created as research results at a university orother institution or research results in the humanities or social sciences will be used toattempt to resolve social issues. However, undergraduate students are not eligible.
(2) Aims to contribute to society with the research results of the university or other institution by
establishing or commercializing a startup business using the seeds.
(3) Has obtained consent from the inventor of the seeds and the institution or other party towhich the seeds belong (e.g., patent applicant) to implement the startup company createdthrough this call for submissions.
(4) Understands the purpose of forming a startup ecosystem that is the aim of this platform(HSFC) and aspires to contribute to the ecosystem (see page 1 and 2 of these guidelines5

for details about the purpose).
If the principal investigator is a student (master’s or PhD course), they must also meet thefollowing requirements (5) to (7):(5) Can ensure that you will continue building the framework and engaging incommercialization to establish the business even after graduation. (As a rule, the principal
investigator cannot be changed.)(6) Submits a confirmation form (Form 3) signed by both the student and their supervisor thatcan confirm that, “an agreement has been reached between the student and the affiliatedinstitution regarding the handling of intellectual property rights resulting from research
results.”(7) Research and development costs are limited to a maximum of 5 million yen for a maximumof four years (total period for Step 1 and Step 2) (However, up to 10 million yen in spending
may be allowed if deemed necessary by this platform (HSFC).)

Conflicts of interest of the principal investigator:
Care should be taken to appropriately manage conflicts of interest between those participating in
the project and other relevant individuals.
Research and development projects selected in the past:
You may apply again for research and development projects that were selected in previous HSFCrelated GAP Funds (FY2021 or FY2022) based on the premise that the project would become closer
to commercialization with additional support. However, you cannot apply for Step 1 for researchand development projects selected in the FY2022 GAP Fund ‘business challenge’ category.
Restrictions on overlapping applications by principal investigators:
The same principal investigator cannot apply for two or more funds of the following at the sametime. Also, except for the final year, you cannot apply for a second fund if one is already in progress.
Although there are no restrictions at the application stage, if you have applied for multiple funds andone is accepted, you will have to decide whether to use the fund that was accepted and withdraw
the others that are in the application process or withdraw the fund that was selected to wait for thescreening results of other funds that are in the application process. In addition, the same principal
investigator cannot apply for multiple projects in this call for submissions.

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(Funds that are eligible for overlapping application)〇 Program to support activities with the aim of starting a business
New Industry Creation Fund for University Startups:- Deep Tech Startup International Expansion Program- Research and development project within the Startup Ecosystem Co-creation Program (thiscall for submissions)- Entrepreneurship demonstration support- Feasibility testing (proposal of startup strategy)
Research results deployment program - New Industry Creation Program for University Startups(START):- Entrepreneurship demonstration support- Business model testing support- SBIR phase 1 support- University and ecosystem promotion type, research and development project within support forforming a startup ecosystem- University and ecosystem promotion type, research and development project within university
promotion type
〇 Program to support activities with the aim of transfer of technology
New Industry Creation Fund for University Startups:- Feasibility testing (proposal of company collaboration)
Research results deployment program - New Industry Creation Program for University Startups(START):- SBIR phase 1 support*
For details, see page 39 to 42 of the guidelines for calls for submission for JST fund programs
Guidelines for a call for submissions for the Startup Ecosystem Co-creation Program for the New
Industry Creation Fund for University Startups, Supporting the Co-creation of a Platform for a Base
City/Supporting the Co-creation of a Regional Platform
https://www.jst.go.jp/program/startupkikin/common/files/2023youkou_su-ecosys.pdf
Handling of personal information:
Regarding personal information provided in connection with this call for submissions, we will
follow the laws concerning the protection of personal information and other relevant laws andregulations and will only use personal information within the scope necessary for achieving the aimsof this call for submissions. Application forms will be used as documents for evaluation andselection for this call for submissions. Confidentiality concerning the application content will bestrictly protected. Information that is needed for operations will be shared with JST.
Diversity:
We promote diversity in this call for submissions. We can only open the path to a new world when7

people with diverse specializations and values participate, share ideas, co-create, and collaborate,
regardless of age, gender, or nationality. Presently, active participation by women is viewed as
central to growth strategy as Japan’s greatest potential. Increasing the participation of women in
research and development is also important, and we hope women in research will actively apply tothis call for submissions as diverse human resources supporting science and technology
innovation.
Costs eligible for subsidization:
Overview: (Direct expenses) The following are expenses needed directly for research
Research facilities, equipment, and prototypes, software (existing products),
expenses for purchasing publications, expenses for purchasing reagents,(1) Supplies

materials, and consumables for research * Only purchase what you deem
absolutely necessary after fully examining the necessity and appropriatenessbased on what is already available.
Travel costs for the principal investigator and research participants listed on the(2) Travelapplication, travel costs for inviting guests such as outside experts.
* Based on the regulations for travel expenses of the affiliated institution.
Labor costs for researchers employed for the research and development project(excluding the principal investigator), dispatch costs, expenses such as honoraria
for requested lectures.

(3) Laborcosts andhonoraria* Terms and conditions related to employment contracts are based on theregulations of the affiliated institution.
* Excludes labor costs for the principal investigators and those whose labor costs
are covered by the government, for example through operational subsidies or
private school subsidies at the university or institution.
* Cannot be used for honoraria for research participants in the same team even if
they are affiliated with a different institution.
Expenses for research and development other than the above. e.g., shipping(4) Othercosts, leasing costs, subcontracting costs, software licensing costs.
* Can be used for expenses for patent searches for building a strategy towards
creating a startup.

Setting of targets and milestones:
On the application form for this call for submissions (Form 1), you will set targets to achieve by
the end of the project in this program and set commercialization and research and development
milestones to achieve those targets. When setting targets (Step 1, Step 2) and milestones (Step 2only), please refer to ‘Reference: Examples of milestone target setting (examples of targets toachieve by the end of each step).’ The appropriateness of targets and milestones is one key part ofevaluation. (For Step 1, targets to achieve by the end of the project are milestones.)8

4. Application procedure and schedule
Before application:(1) Submit the entry sheet before submitting an application. (Deadline is noon on Friday, May 31)(2) E-learning program
Before applying, you must watch the e-learning program online learning material. It is shortand provides basic information about startups and commercialization that is useful for
creating an application.
(3) Group training, individual consultations
Group training is held for tentative applicants who have submitted an entry sheet to receive
points on creating an application from startup experts (commercialization promoting
organization). We also provide individual consultations upon request for information on points
such as how to write the application. The application requires a different sense from academia,
for example in the startup and commercialization approach and in the setting of milestones,
and we strongly recommend taking the training course.

Application procedure:(1)

Documents for submission
Form 0: Entry Sheet (You must submit this if you are planning to submit an application to thisprogram.)
Form 1: Application Form (Outline of research and development project)
Form 2: Project Budget Proposal
Form 3: Agreement Confirmation Form (only if the principal investigator is a student)(2)

Application period(1) Entry sheet: Noon on Friday, May 31, 2024
(2) Application forms (Form 1 to 3):(3)

Registration completed by noon on Friday,
July 12, 2024

Submission method(1) Entry sheet:

Send Form 0 by e-mail to the address below with the subject, ‘GAP Fund
entry.’
E-mail: start-gap@noastec.jp(2) Application and other forms: Submit forms 1 to 3 using the NOASTEC subsidy application
system.
* Details will be provided to those who submit entry sheets. If you do not hearfrom NOASTEC by June 3, please contact the section below.
(4)

Inquiries:
About the HSFC GAP Fund:
NOASTEC (Northern Advancement Center for Science & Technology)

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GAP Fund Section, Industry-academic Collaboration Support Department
E-mail: start-gap@noastec.jp

Phone: 011-708-6536

General inquiries about the HSFC and about partner institutions
HU Startup Administration Bureau, Institute for the Promotion of Business-Regional
Collaboration, Hokkaido University
Email: hsfc-jimu@mcip.hokudai.ac.jp

10Phone: 011-706-9556

5. Procedure after screening and selection
Points for evaluation:
To select projects after the call for submissions, external screening panelists in a screening
committee formed by NOASTEC conduct a first screening (of documents) and a second
screening (interviews) using the evaluation points below, and the Hokkaido Startup Future
Creation Development by Mutual Support Networks Promotion Council selects projects.
Note that you may not make the second screening (interviews) depending on your results in thefirst screening.
* Shown separately for Step 2.
Step 1:
Screening
items

Screening points

Accumulation offoundational
research results- Have you accumulated sufficient foundational research results?
- Have you obtained sufficient external funding such as a Grant-in-aid for
Scientific Research?

Potential forcommercializati
on- Have you formed a use hypothesis for commercialization?
- Are test items appropriate for testing performance based on the use
hypothesis?
- Have you set milestone for Step 2 (Startup formation framework) and on?

Status of seeds
and intellectual
property- Does the research and development show originality and novelty?
- Are there prospects for obtaining, in principle, a basic patent at the end of
the program?

Appropriatenessof the projectframeworkand scale- Are the research and development framework and schedule appropriate?
- Is the scale and use of research and development expenses appropriate?
- Do you have a framework for receiving advice from commercialization
promoting organizations and expert mentors?

Overallevaluation- Does the seed show prospects for major growth in the international market?
- Will it potentially have a large social and economic impact?

Only for the Agrifood category:
Screening
items
Agrifood
Contribution to
the sector

Screening points- Will it potentially have a large impact on the agrifood sector?

Second screening (interviews):

Applicants who pass the first screening are generally asked to participate in the second
screening (interview). The principal investigator explains their application content in a PowerPoint
presentation to the screening panel and the screening panel examines it based on thepresentation and document screening evaluation. Details on the second screening will be
provided separately to applications who pass the first screening.

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Final screening (decision by participating organizations):

A final screening of selected research and development projects based on the results of thefirst and second screenings is conducted by the Hokkaido Startup Future Creation Development
by Mutual Support Networks (HSFC) Promotion Council made up of participating organizations.
Finalization of selections and notification:
A decision on selected research and development projects will be made in September 2024,
and principal investigators will be notified of the results through their affiliated institution.
Research and development expenses:
For research and development expenses, after the research and development project has been
selected, the affiliated institution of the successful applicant will sign an outsourcing contract with
the JST. When executing research and development expenses, please read the office processing
manual specified by the JST below.
See below. *If the FY2024 version has been released, please refer to that version.

FY2023 Contract Research Office Processing Manual (general)
https://www.jst.go.jp/contract/download/2023/2023a301manua.pdf
FY2023 Contract Research Office Processing Manual (supplement)
https://www.jst.go.jp/contract/download/2023/2023_daigakuhatsu_hokan.pdf
Activities after selection:(1) After selection, successful applications will participate in the entrepreneurship activity
support program specified by the HSFC during the program period.
(2) We will announce a Research Results Presentation Session (tentative name) as a platform
for announcing business models for commercialization and research and development
results.
(3) Information about selected research and development projects such as the project title andprincipal investigator will be posted on the website.
(4) Points about selected research and development projects such as progress of targets andmilestones listed in the application will be evaluated by the screening panel.
(5) When you have launched the startup, please contribute to the development of theecosystem specified by the HSFC.

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Schedule (tentative):
Entry sheet submission: Noon on Friday, May 31, 2024
The principal investigator emails the entry sheet to NOASTEC.
↓

Participation in e-learning program
The principal investigator takes the online e-learning program before applying.
Participation in group training and individual consultation session
Tentative applicants participate in group training and individual consultation session provided
by the HSFC if possible.
↓

Submission of application: Between Monday, June 3, 2024, and noon on Friday, July 12,2024
The principal investigator submits application forms using the NOASTEC subsidy application
system.
↓First screening (documents): From mid-July 2024 to early August 2024
The screening panel conducts a screening based on the applications.
↓Notification of results of first screening (documents): Early August 2024
The principal investigator is notified of the results of the first screening (documents) through theiraffiliated institution (and given information about the holding of a second screening).
↓

Second screening (interviews): Late August 2024
The screening panel conducts a screening based on presentations by principal investigators.
↓

Final screening (Hokkaido Startup Future Creation Development by Mutual Support
Networks Promotion Council: Early September 2024
After screening by this council, a final decision is made on which research and development projects toselect.
↓Selection decision and notification: Early September 2024 (tentative)
The principal investigator is notified of the selection results through their affiliated institution.
↓
Participation in basic program: October 2024 to September 2025
Selected principal investigators and others participate in a basis program on commercialization
to learn entrepreneurial expertise, brush up on business models, and receive support for
conducting customer interviews.
↓

Participation in Research Results Presentation Session (tentative name): February 2025
(TBD)
Those whose research and development projects were selected can opt to present the results of theiractivities for commercialization to investors at this event to accelerate their progress towards
commercialization.
↓

Participation in Milestone Evaluation Session (tentative name): August 2025 (tentative)
Points about selected research and development projects such as progress of targets andmilestones listed in the application will be evaluated by the screening panel.
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