Entrepreneurial Support Program(EntryCourse)
GTIE GAP Fund 2026 Entry Course
Entry course is the GAP fund of the first step to start a business in the near future for researchers and students of GTIE universities. Here is the list of successful teams which receive Entry Course funding in 2026. The research is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026
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Development of Novel Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Application Against Antimicrobial Resistance Bacteria
Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (AMR) have emerged as a global threat in recent years, leading to an increase in severe infections that are difficult to treat with existing therapeutics. We have discovered a novel antimicrobial peptide, “Nemuri,” which exhibits potent activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria and is effective at concentrations one-fourth to one-sixteenth of those required for conventional antibiotics. Moreover, Nemuri operates through a distinct, non-traditional mechanism of action, suggesting the potential to suppress the emergence of drug resistance.
Building on this foundational technology, we aim to develop new therapeutic options for infections that currently lack effective treatments. In parallel, we seek to enable the social implementation and commercialization of Nemuri as a platform technology that addresses a critical challenge faced by pharmaceutical and drug-development companies—the continuous cycle of resistance and the need for new antimicrobials.
Development and commercialization of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and related materials derived from unused seaweed residues, and their conversion into high-performance materials
In this study, we develop microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from unused seaweed residue and explore its potential as a high-performance material. MFC is produced by mechanically crushing conventional cellulose fibers and has gained attention as a renewable, multifunctional material. However, despite the steady growth of the seaweed market in recent years, a large amount of residual biomass remains unused after extracting useful compounds for food and pharmaceuticals. This has been limited due to the requirement for specialized equipment for defibration, its running cost and transportation.
We propose a new defibration method that utilizes the unique structural properties of algal fibers, overcoming previous limitations such as equipment dependency, defibration energy, and transportability. By commercializing this new algae-derived fiber material (Mowtex) as a new cellulosic material, we aim to create a marine biocascade market.
Establishing an Integrated Startup Combining Software, Hardware, and Design-Solution Services Powered by a Power-Electronics Design AI that Transcends Human Tacit Knowledge
As decarbonization and electrification accelerate, the design of power electronics (power-elec)—which underpin EVs, robots, data centers, and renewable-energy equipment—still depends heavily on the tacit knowledge of experienced engineers and repeated prototyping, creating serious issues in productivity and knowledge succession. This project aims to establish an integrated business model centered on an AI-based design support software specialized for power-electronics design, combined with the development of high-frequency power supplies and wireless power transfer (WPT) circuits using this software, as well as a design-solution service. By replacing conventional design processes that rely on intuition and experience, the AI automatically generates new circuit topologies through numerical optimization and topology exploration, enabling simultaneous achievement of shorter design periods, reduced prototyping costs, and higher performance. Through a unified deployment of software, hardware, and services, the project seeks to solve industry-wide challenges in design efficiency and workforce shortage, and to realize social implementation with sustainable growth and international competitiveness as a university-originated startup.
Creation of dynamic logic gate reconfiguration technology using optically controlled FETs
With the shortening of product cycles and the acceleration of multi-variety, small-lot production, the design of specific logic circuits is becoming economically unfeasible. As a result, FPGAs—allowing users to flexibly reconfigure logic gates—have become widely adopted in recent years. Particularly, in the field of AI, frequent algorithmic improvements are required, and accordingly, the importance of FPGAs that enable immediate hardware updates has been growing. This project leverages optically controlled FET technology, which allows reversible conversion of carrier polarity (P-type / N-type), to develop next-generation programmable logic circuits. We aim to create a post-FPGA architecture that achieves low-power consumption and high-speed computation, and to establish a startup that will drive its social implementation. Since optical control can reinforce security at the physical layer, our initial target markets will be defense, cybersecurity, and data centers. We will build a two-pronged business model consisting of a product business that provides optically controlled FET-FPGAs and a service business that supplies algorithms for dynamic reconfiguration.
Sustainable piglet feed development through regional collaboration
This project aims to commercialize Piglet Feed CoCo Sec Feed®, produced using black soldier flies (BSF) raised on plant-based waste from food businesses in the Tama area. Currently, the production process for CoCo Sec Feed® involves numerous manual steps, resulting in significant feed production costs that pose a major barrier to its adoption by pig farmers.
Therefore, we aim to establish an efficient production method for CoCo Sec Feed® through mechanization to reduce production costs. Furthermore, we will compost the residual waste produced after BSF rearing and explore its use as fertilizer. Using this fertilizer to grow plants, we aim to build an environment where resources circulate within the region.
Synthesis and Application of High-Performance Carbon Quantum Dots Derived from Natural Resources
Quantum dots are increasingly used in photoluminescent applications. However, conventional materials containing heavy metals face challenges related to safety, environmental regulations, and disposal costs. Organic fluorescent dyes also suffer from rapid photobleaching, limiting long-term use. Therefore, environmentally compatible photoluminescent materials with high efficiency and stability are strongly demanded.
In this project, we aim to develop low-cost, high-performance carbon quantum dots using a single-step thermal decomposition process from natural resources such as plant seeds. We will optimize synthesis conditions, improve optical properties, and evaluate scalability to achieve performance suitable for industrial applications. In addition, we will explore multiple applications and business models, including research reagents and materials for fluorescent inks, sensors, and optical devices, to establish pathways toward practical implementation and contribute to a sustainable next-generation photoluminescent materials market.
Development of an AI-based SaMD to assist in the molecular classification of kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is a diverse disease with more than 21 histological subtypes in the latest WHO classification, limiting progress in accurate diagnosis and tailored therapies. Gene panel tests used in daily practice often detect no actionable mutations, exposing a major unmet clinical need and a substantial market gap. Through an All-Japan network of committed clinicians, we have recently reported a transformative solution in which a whole-transcriptome atlas, assembled from a large cohort including numerous rare kidney cancers, enables immediate molecular interpretation as well as prediction of patient outcomes for newly analyzed cases (Nat. Commun. 2025 Nov 24;16(1):10340). In this project, we translate this molecular classification framework into an AI-driven SaMD that assists pathological diagnosis, delivers precise drug selection, and functions as a robust companion diagnostic (CDx) for novel drug development. Our SaMD is scalable to multiple cancers beyond kidney cancer and provides a next-generation diagnostically assistive modality that reduces patient physical and financial burden, increases the success rate of clinical trials, and curbs rising oncology costs.
Industrial CO₂ Conversion Using Boron-doped Diamond Electrodes
This project aims to industrialize a technology developed by Einaga’s group at Keio University, which uses boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes to efficiently electrochemically reduce CO₂ and produce formic acid as a valuable chemical. Although formic acid has traditionally been used only in specialized applications, it is gaining attention as a “gateway molecule” because it is easy to handle as a liquid at room temperature and can be expanded into C1 chemistry. BDD electrodes demonstrate outstanding performance—including almost 100% selectivity, 95% faradaic efficiency, and durability exceeding 1,000 hours—far surpassing metal electrodes, and the technology has already scaled from lab scale to bench scale. In the initial stage, the project targets environmentally conscious customers such as furniture and leather-goods manufacturers and LWG-certified tanners, while in the mid-term it plans to expand broader C1 chemistry markets. By 2026, the goal is to demonstrate pilot-scale production of 30 tons per year, establish customer relationships, build partnerships with EPC and chemical companies, and move toward launching a startup in 2028.
Social Implementation of Safe, Affordable “Ingestible Thermometer” for Preventive Healthcare Society Through In-Body Information Sensing
We aim to drive the widespread adoption of diverse ingestible sensors by developing a hardware platform centered on custom integrated circuits and structural designs optimized for mass production. Key differentiators of our technology include the world's smallest size, minimized risk of retention and obstruction, an affordable price point suitable for "daily use," the ability to measure core body temperature simply, accurately, and continuously, and expandability to other sensor types.
We will first launch a core body thermometer utilizing this technology to help prevent heatstroke and hypothermia, as well as visualize circadian rhythms. Subsequently, we will offer high-end, multi-functional models equipped with measuring capabilities for pH, pressure, and location estimation etc. By building a platform that uses this vital data to contribute to the early diagnosis of diseases and the improvement of well-being, we aim to establish a startup that will revolutionize the healthcare market.
Realization of an implantable right ventricular assist device
Heart failure is a leading worldwide cause of death. The implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD), developed in the late 20th century, has markedly improved survival in these patients. Approximately 5,000 implantations are performed worldwide each year. However, despite the benefits of mechanical circulatory support, 10–20% of LVAD recipients subsequently develop right heart failure—a life-threatening complication.
Current therapeutic options for right heart failure are extremely limited, underscoring an urgent and unmet clinical need for a compact, durable right ventricular assist device (RVAD) that can be implanted concurrently with an LVAD to provide essential long-term biventricular support.
In the project, we aim to develop the ultra-compact, implantable RVAD using our two decades of experience developing a magnetically levitated ventricular assist device for pediatric patients to design and evaluate an advanced suction-detection and prevention mechanism at the pump inlet, and to validate the device’s functional and hemodynamic suitability as an RVAD. With this work, we address a critical unmet need in advanced heart failure therapy.
Commercialization of Waste-Reducing, Scalable Inverse Peptide Synthesis Using Hydrophobic Tags
This project aims to overcome the challenges of high cost and massive waste in peptide drug manufacturing by developing an innovative process combining a proprietary “inverse peptide synthesis” and “novel hydrophobic tag technology”. The method significantly reduces waste from protecting groups and purification steps, cutting synthesis costs by about 90% and waste by 95%. We will demonstrate reproducible synthesis at scales exceeding 10 grams and enable seamless integration into existing equipment, providing pharmaceutical companies and CDMOs with a technology package that achieves low cost, reduced environmental impact, and high scalability. This breakthrough will accelerate peptide drug discovery and serve as a foundation for a sustainable chemical industry.
Development of next-generation electron sources to revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing
We will develop an ultra-high-performance planar electron emission device that utilizes a proprietary atomic-layer direct deposition technology developed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). This device will feature a graphene/p-Si Schottky junction and achieve high energy monochromaticity, high current density, and multi-electron beam capability.
Assuming application as an electron source for high-throughput multi-electron-beam semiconductor inspection systems, we will demonstrate a continuous operating lifetime of 700 hours (approximately one month), which is the minimum requirement for practical electron sources. In addition, we will develop a sample holder to accommodate multi-beam electron sources necessary for high-throughput semiconductor inspection and verify the operation of the multi-electron beam source. Furthermore, we will engage in discussions with venture capital firms and prepare internally for launching a startup, aiming to establish a company that realizes next-generation electron sources capable of achieving both high resolution and high throughput in semiconductor inspection.