Asia
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UNIST is accredited as a VC firm, now able to raise large funds
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology’s UNIST Technology Holdings has already been selected as the manager of a ₩12 billion fund.
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Cyprus updates equity framework for spinouts
The original framework, adapted in 2018, failed to generate a single spinout after terms were deemed too onerous for academics.
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Alumni Ventures expands into Japan with UTokyo IPC-backed fund
UTokyo Innovation Platform has partnered with Alumni Ventures to launch the Alumni Ventures Japan+US Bridge Fund.
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Kobe University Capital launches ¥6 billion fund backed by UTokyo IPC
UTokyo Innovation Platform’s ASA Fund is now a limited partner in the KUC2 Fund, which will not just invest but also build spinouts from scratch.
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HIC Fund I bets ¥1.19 billion on Hiroshima spinouts
Hiroshima’s university ecosystem receives a ¥1.19 billion boost from the HIC Fund I, managed by Hiroshima Incubation & Capital, to nurture local spinouts.
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University of Hong Kong launches second spinout investment fund this month, Gobi–HKU Fund I
HKU has established the Gobi-HKU Fund I, merely a week after reaching a first close for the FutureTech Stars-HKU Venture LP Fund.
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Kyoto University Innovation Capital launches ¥20 billion Fund III
The fund has already attracted a host of LPs, including corporates like Astellas Pharma, Tokyu Land, and Shimadzu.
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University of Hong Kong achieves first close for HK$300 million fund
The FutureTech Stars-HKU Venture LP Fund is the result of a partnership between the university and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ CAS Star.
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DGIST Technology Holdings appoints Choi Moon-jong as co-CEO, plans fund launches
The Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology’s commercialisation arm has changed its leadership structure to two CEOs.
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Waseda University lays groundwork for impact venture capital fund
Waseda University Impact Capital will focus on the humanities and social sciences, and will operate alongside existing Waseda University Ventures.
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King Saud University launches $20 million early-stage venture fund
The King Saud University Venture Fund has been co-created by the university’s investment arm, Riyadh Valley Company, and will be managed by SparkLabs.
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KAUST names Izaro Lopez Garcia interim director of technology transfer
Izaro Lopez Garcia joined the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology as head of technology development three years ago.
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IIT Madras launches ₹6 billion deep tech fund
IIT Madras has joined forces with Unicorn India Ventures to launch a deep tech fund that aims to invest in more than 25 companies.
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Kangwon National University receives state capital for new fund
Kangwon National University Technology Holding, the Korean institution’s commercialisation arm, will work with Trigger Investment Partners.
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IIT Bombay creates ₹2.5 billion Y Point Venture Capital Fund
The Y Point Venture Capital Fund will primarily invest in early-stage, deeptech IIT Bombay spinouts, but also back startups from other institutions.
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Fudan University launches two funds, worth a combined $242 million
The Chinese university has set up a CN¥1 billion fund and a $100 million vehicle in order to significantly bolster its innovation ecosystem.
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UTokyo IPC closes the ASA Fund, backs Red 1 Healthcare
UTokyo Innovation Platform has achieved a final close of its Academic Startup Acceleration Fund, and concurrently made an LP investment in the Red 1 Healthcare fund.
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Entertech VCIF launches to back Turkish startups
The fund has been created by Entertech Istanbul Technopark, which is owned by Istanbul University and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa.
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Hanoi targets first university spinout by year’s end
Hanoi aims to produce its first university spinout by year-end after the central government issued clear enabling regulations.
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University of the Philippines Los Baños restructures innovation infrastructure
Haerold Dean Z. Layaoen will lead the new Office of the Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Enterprise Management at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
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Editorial: Sanae Takaichi’s election win risks impeding Japan’s spinout ambitions
The new Japanese prime minister’s anti-immigrant rhetoric risks cutting off Japanese university spinouts from global talent and markets.
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University of Dubai launches deep tech fund
The AED100 million Dubai Tech X Fund will invest in deep tech and AI spinouts in an effort to bolster the regional innovation ecosystem.
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IIMA Ventures launches the Aerospace & Defence Acceleration Fund
IIMA Ventures, the innovation arm of IIM Ahmedabad, has partnered with Jaivel Aerospace to create a fund that will back up to ten startups.
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Hong Kong University of Science and Technology launches new fund
The Gobi-Redbird Innovation Fund has secured the backing of the government-owned Hong Kong Investment Corporation.
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Malaysia puts spinout focus into state budget
Among the initiatives is a fund and a policy to allow faculty members to take a year-long sabbatical to commercialise their research.
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Cambodia finalises national university IP policy
The Southeast Asian kingdom has unveiled a national IP policy for universities developed in collaboration with the UN and the EU.
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Friday Five: VR glaucoma scans, heat-powered sensors, and 3D‑printing space trash into tools
Spinouts turn waste, thermal energy and VR tech into sustainable solutions for industry, space, and healthcare.
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NUS Enterprise further expands VC ecosystem
The National University of Singapore’s innovation arm has partnered with SG Growth Capital and Lotus One to put more money into spinouts and funds.
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Origgin Ventures targets Japanese spinouts with $30 million fund
The Singapore-based venture firm has set its sights on Fukuoka and is partnering with local investor Interuniversity Ventures to run the fund.
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National University of Singapore commits S$150 million to venture capital initiative
NUS is putting a third of the money into existing VC firms, while the bulk will go into a new university venture fund.
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Korea Institute of Science and Technology launches new innovation subsidiary
KIST Innovation will focus on the full spectrum of commercialisation, ranging from IP management to startup and corporate support to investments.
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UTEC unveils Fund 6, reaches AuM of more than $1 billion
University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners has raised ¥47 billion ($326 million) for its sixth fund, its largest to date.
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Friday Five: Apate, Cosma, Licovolt, pHydrogen, ScoutinScience
The Friday Five series provides a weekly insight into innovative early-stage spinouts that are making a significant impact in their fields.
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Moran Zilbershtein joins TAU Ventures as general partner
TAU Ventures, the university venture fund of Tel Aviv University, has brought in Moran Zilbershtein as a general partner.
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Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology gains ₩12 billion fund
The fund was created by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Korea Venture Investment, with the South Korean government providing half of the capital.
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Friday Five: Astratus, Hirundo, Lembas, OrisDX, and Somnee
We take a look at some of the early-stage spinouts that caught our eye. This time: Astratus, Hirundo, Lembas, OrisDX and Somnee.
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Kanazawa University achieves close for Vision Incubate
Vision Incubate, a venture firm wholly owned by Kanazawa University in Japan, has closed its VI-1 fund with ¥2 billion thanks to LPs including UTokyo IPC.
