Number of newly established university startups Japan 2015-2024

*As of October 2024.

Based on a survey conducted among national, public, and private universities (including junior colleges), technical colleges, technology licensing organizations, incubation facilities, and prefectural authorities throughout Japan.

Venture businesses (VBs) are defined as university-developed venture businesses if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Research-based VB: a newly established VB with the aim of commercializing patents and new technologies and business methods based on research results achieved at universities.
• Joint-research VB: a VB that conducted joint research with a university within five years of its establishment in order to commercialize the technology and know-how of the founders. This includes those that had no special relationship with the university at the time of establishment.
• Technology-transfer VB: a VB that underwent technology transfer from a university within five years of its establishment in order to maintain and develop an existing business. This includes those that had no special relationship with the university at the time of establishment.
• Student VB: a student VB that has a deep relationship with a university. This applies only to those in which current students are or were involved.
• Faculty-member VB: A faculty-member (e.g., faculty members, researchers, and postdoctoral fellows) VB that has a deep relationship with a university.
• Relation VB: a VB that has a deep relationship with a university (e.g., those funded by a university).

Including NPOs, general incorporated associations, sole proprietorships, and only those startups founded in Japan.

Universities include technical colleges.