OSAKA University Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

Overview

Established in December 2014, OSAKA University Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (OUVC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka University, dedicated to translating the university's research achievements into real-world impact. OUVC's mission is to foster the creation and growth of innovative startups by bridging academia and industry, addressing societal challenges, and generating new value. The firm operates two investment funds and has invested in over 30 life science startups originating from Japanese national universities. OUVC's investment strategy focuses on sectors such as technology, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, life sciences, energy, environmental services, agriculture, food and beverage, consumer goods, education, media, entertainment, and financial services. The firm provides comprehensive support to its portfolio companies, including management assistance, business development, talent network formation, and promoting collaboration among academia, industry, and government. OUVC emphasizes specialized hands-on support, including interactions with regulatory authorities, in collaboration with the Medical Center for Translational Research at Osaka University Hospital. Leveraging its status as a venture capital firm funded 100% by Osaka University, OUVC places a strong emphasis on specialized hands-on support, including interactions with regulatory authorities, in collaboration with the Medical Center for Translational Research at Osaka University Hospital. The firm is open to consultations from researchers at national universities who are not yet fully prepared for entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on national university settings. OUVC aims to be a driving force behind a venture ecosystem that changes the world, contributing to societal transformation through the commercialization of research outcomes. OUVC's track record includes supporting the commercialization of research results and creating social value through such promotion. The firm has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for its efforts in promoting the utilization of specified research results. In January 2018, JTEC Corporation, an investee company of OUVC, was approved to be listed on the Market of the High Growth and Emerging Stocks (Mothers) of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in OUVC's investment activities. In June 2023, OUVC expanded its global presence by opening a collaboration hub in Silicon Valley, California, USA, in partnership with Berkeley SkyDeck, a global startup accelerator at the University of California, Berkeley. This collaboration aims to support OU startups and researchers in launching businesses and enhancing collaboration with local venture capital firms, contributing to the development of globally competitive firms. OUVC's commitment to innovation and societal transformation is evident in its continuous efforts to support and invest in startups that utilize outstanding research outcomes from national universities, thereby contributing to the advancement of research and the creation of a prosperous future for communities.