Tohoku University has issued the "Startup University Declaration" and is the first university in Japan to promote a program aimed at creating venture companies and fostering entrepreneurs.We aim to innovate from Tohoku University by training human resources and venture companies that are useful for creating new industries and revitalizing the region.
According to Tohoku University, there are three pillars of the educational program. One is to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit on campus and to establish a new system aiming to start a business utilizing the research results of Tohoku University while engaging in support work for venture companies in order to secure candidates for management of university-launched venture companies.
The second is to establish a fund to support students aiming to start a business and provide the necessary funds for commercialization.At the same time as funding, students can receive support for entrepreneurship, such as professional mentoring.
The third is to organize an alumni association entrepreneurial club in collaboration with the alumni association Hagiyukai. Utilize SNS to increase contact points with graduates who are interested in venture companies originating from Tohoku University, and broaden the base of supporters and candidates for management.
At the same time, the Tohoku University Startup Advisor System will be established, and Tohoku University graduates who are active on the front lines of the industry will provide necessary consulting to verify the commercialization of researchers and students aiming to start a business.In addition, Tohoku University Venture Partners, wholly owned by Tohoku University, has established an investment limited partnership for the six Tohoku prefectures and Niigata prefecture as the first wide-area university-launched venture fund in Japan.
