#Japan #startups #Tsukuba #CIC Japan #Ibaraki Venture

Ibaraki Prefecture's 2026 Venture Support Program

Ibaraki Prefecture has selected five innovative companies for its 2026 Venture Business Startup and Growth Acceleration Support Program, operated by CIC Catalyst APAC in collaboration with Tsukuba Research Support Center. This initiative is designed to discover and support cutting-edge technological seeds in the region, facilitating corporate establishment and business commercialization.

Overview of the Program

The program includes two main components: the Startup and Business Acceleration Program, which aims to uncover promising technologies, and the Growth Program intended for deep tech startups. The latter particularly focuses on ventures in fields such as life sciences, environmental energy, electronic devices, and materials, aiming to advance their growth with goals of global expansion and potential exits through public listings or mergers and acquisitions.

Following the selection, tailored support will be offered to address the individual challenges and needs of the chosen companies, looking ahead to their growth, fundraising efforts, and international activities.

Selected Companies

The five selected startups are:

1. Air Membrane Corporation
Website: Air Membrane
This startup is venture-driven to industrialize graphene, also known as the “dream material.” By utilizing unique mass production techniques, they aim to provide high-quality graphene at a rapid pace and low cost. With applications ranging from GFET sensors to electron microscopy grids, they are poised to infuse new value across various industries, from sensing to life sciences.

2. Nano Chemix Corporation
Website: Nano Chemix
Focused on developing an optical resin nano-particle additive named “OPTITE,” this material-focused startup utilizes original synthetic and surface design technologies to achieve uniform dispersion within organic matrices. This innovation enhances refractive indices without compromising transparency, paving the way for improvements in high-value products like next-generation displays and AR lenses in partnership with domestic and global firms.

3. BioPhenolics Corporation
Website: BioPhenolics
Utilizing renewable biomass, BioPhenolics develops technology for producing aromatic chemicals without reliance on naphtha via improved microbial fermentation methods. Their goal is to create a robust chemical supply chain while achieving carbon neutrality, pushing forward bio-innovations for high-value chemicals traditionally derived from petroleum.

4. FieldWorks Corporation
Website: FieldWorks
Committed to achieving sustainable agriculture, FieldWorks focuses on the research and implementation of agricultural robots. They are working on developing accessible, low-cost robots to streamline labor-intensive tasks such as weeding and pest control while also advancing research on automated robotic systems for diverse agricultural tasks.

5. Wildlife Medical Science Laboratory Corporation
Website: Wildlife Laboratory
Specializing in disease detection in wildlife, this company has developed rapid detection technologies for bird flu and actively contributes to the conservation of endangered species. Their efforts support the realization of a society that coexists with wildlife.

Importance of the Program

The Ibaraki Venture Support Program plays a crucial role in accelerating the growth of promising ventures in Ibaraki Prefecture. By providing essential support in areas such as fundraising, intellectual property strategy, and market analysis, the initiative fosters an environment for sustainable innovation. This aligns with broader objectives of creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for startups, cultivating their ability to thrive independently in the market.

For more information about the support program and the technological advancements it aims to drive, including future updates, please refer to the Ibaraki Prefecture's official website and the Tsukuba Research Support Center's website.

Program Operators

CIC Catalyst APAC

CIC Catalyst focuses on innovation consulting and supporting startup growth through collaboration with businesses, investors, government entities, and universities. Having delivered over 100 programs globally, they have assisted over 700 startups in scaling and expanding internationally, securing a total of approximately $17 billion in funding for the startups they support.

Tsukuba Research Support Center

Established in 1988, the Tsukuba Research Support Center serves as a deep tech incubator located in the Tsukuba Research Area. With ties to local universities and research institutions, they focus on fostering startups and supporting new business creation while aiming to invigorate the region’s economy.