#Japan #Kumamoto #C-HAS Plus #SIIIF Wellness Fund

C-HAS Plus Secures Investment from SIIFIC Wellness Fund

C-HAS Plus Co., Ltd. based in Kumamoto, Japan, has successfully completed a third-party allocation of shares, securing investment from the SIIFIC Wellness Fund, operated jointly by SIIF Impact Capital Inc. and the Japan Social Innovation and Investment Foundation. This funding is aimed at enhancing local employment and promoting wellness in the community.

Founded in 2017 as a result of the collaborative project between Kumamoto University and the Kumamoto Prefecture, C-HAS Plus focuses on the implementation of technologies and outcomes derived from the "Regional Innovation Ecosystem Formation Program" (UpRod) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The company operates primarily on three pillars:
1. Healthspan Evaluation Service using Nematodes (C-HAS)
2. Plant Database (PDⅢ)
3. Natural Product Extract Bank (NEB)

The C-HAS service utilizes a model organism, the nematode, which has a lifespan of only approximately 30 days. This allows for a quantitative assessment of how food and pharmaceutical materials impact health and longevity, thereby reducing the reliance on animal experiments and facilitating quicker acquisition of reliable data. Furthermore, PDⅢ compiles information from over 320,000 plant species worldwide, organizing details such as scientific names, habitats, and traditional uses in medicine, which aids in efficient and systematic material exploration. Meanwhile, the NEB houses extracts from over 28,000 species, ensuring stability and reproducibility through UPLC-MS analysis.

By promoting collaboration and integration between these three business lines, C-HAS Plus supports a comprehensive approach to material exploration, evaluation, and practical application in various sectors including pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and cosmetics.

Investment Background

C-HAS Plus aims to improve the wellness of the local community by fostering an environment where diverse talents—including highly skilled professionals, youth, women, and foreigners—can thrive and contribute actively. In the face of ongoing challenges such as youth migration to urban areas and an aging population, the company addresses issues regarding the disconnect in social capital within the community and the scarcity of opportunities for young individuals to develop their skills and career paths.

The evaluation and subsequent investment from the SIIFIC Wellness Fund align with C-HAS Plus's mission to create employment opportunities and establish a vibrant living environment in this region. By collaborating with the SIIFIC Wellness Fund, C-HAS Plus is set to accelerate the creation of a sustainable human resource employment model rooted deeply in the community, aiming for a society where everyone can live better lives.

SIIFIC’s Investment Strategy

1. Systematic Analysis: A multifaceted assessment of C-HAS Plus's impact on the local community.
- Creation of diverse employment opportunities through proactive hiring of specialized personnel, young people, women, and foreigners.
- Strengthening ties with local communities to foster a sense of pride and enhance social capital.

2. Logic Model Development: Visualizing C-HAS Plus's local impact in three stages:
- Short-term: Creation of employment in the region.
- Medium-term: Realization of workplace environments that empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
- Long-term: Cultivation of abundant social capital within the community.

The investment by the SIIFIC Wellness Fund is categorized under their focus area of fostering startups that promote job creation and vibrant living conditions in rural areas.

Company Comments

Mr. Masahiko Kikuchi, CEO of C-HAS Plus, expressed gratitude for the investment, emphasizing the importance of translating the knowledge and technology developed at Kumamoto University to societal applications. By leveraging innovative healthspan evaluation systems, C-HAS Plus seeks to foster job creation and provide an environment where youth and specialized personnel can thrive.

Mr. Takeshi Shudo, COO, also highlighted the potential of the UpRod initiative and noted that the growth of C-HAS Plus has been achieved through close cooperation with local businesses and municipalities. He reaffirmed the commitment to enhance the environment for diverse talents to flourish in Kumamoto.

Mr. Hirofumi Kai, CSO, acknowledged the longstanding tradition of Kumamoto University in producing talented individuals for various sectors and reflected on the significance of the investment in supporting a startup that aims to empower diverse talents in the region.

SIIFIC Wellness Fund’s Fund Manager, Mr. Kazuhiro Umeda, also commented on the fund's strategy of not only providing venture capital support but also assisting in developing governance structures that align with B Corp certification standards. This approach aims to ensure that companies like C-HAS Plus operate with accountability and transparency while fostering local talent.

About C-HAS Plus Co., Ltd.

Established on April 1, 2019, C-HAS Plus is recognized as a Kumamoto University venture focused on accelerating collaborations between academia and industry, with an emphasis on expertise built through the UpRod program. The company is dedicated to exploring and implementing its unique technologies in health and wellness sectors, aspiring to contribute to sustainable community-building initiatives.

Learn more about C-HAS Plus here