Vision Incubate, the venture capital firm wholly owned by Kanazawa University in Japan, closed its VI No.1 Investment Limited Partnership today with ¥2 billion (12.2€ million / $13.9 million).
Among the fund’s limited partners is fellow university venture fund, UTokyo Innovation Platform, owned by the University of Tokyo, which said it made the investment in an effort to foster collaboration among spinouts across Japan and to accelerate the growth of the country’s deeptech ecosystem.
Financial services firms located in the Hokuriku region, where Kanazawa University is based, have also committed capital, namely Imamura Securities, Hokuriku Bank and QR Investment Corporation.
Vision Incubate was set up in 2023 by Kanazawa University and it focuses on sectors such as life sciences, IT, and materials, with a stated goal of revitalising industries in Hokuriku, although it invests in spinouts throughout Japan.
The firm is involved in TeSH, regional startup platform counting 13 universities and 3 national colleges of technology throughout Hokuriku among its membership. It has already made seven investments through its inaugural fund.
“At Vision Incubate, we are committed to supporting the commercialization of academic research through startup creation and venture investment rooted in national universities. Our goal is to help deliver researchers’ and our shared aspirations to society via startup ventures. Since the final close of the VI No.1 Fund in March 2025, we have invested in seven startups and have begun preparations for our second fund.
“We look forward to deepening our collaboration with UTokyo IPC and supporting the growth of startups that can generate meaningful impact on society.”
– Kunio Matsumoto, chief executive, Vision Incubate
UTokyo Innovation Platform, owned by the University of Tokyo, made the contribution through its Academic Startup Acceleration Fund — a vehicle operated by the firm since 2024 under an initiative by the Tokyo metropolitan government.