AlphaDrive Selected for First Time for Nara Prefecture's "University-Origin Startup Support Project," Promoting the Creation of Nara-Origin Innovations and a Continuous Startup Ecosystem Through Business Commercialization Support for Research Seeds

AlphaDrive Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO/CAXO: Yoichi Aso; hereinafter "AlphaDrive") is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a contractor for the "Nara Prefecture University-Origin Startup Support Project Commissioned Work," which was conducted by the Nara Prefecture Regional Development Department, Heijo-kyo Central Initiative & Startup Promotion Division through a competitive proposal process. This marks the first time AlphaDrive will undertake a project commissioned by Nara Prefecture. Through this project, we will contribute to further accelerating the commercialization of research seeds in collaboration with the region, from both technological and business perspectives.

AlphaDrive's View of Nara Prefecture's Current Position

Nara Prefecture is home to a concentration of research institutions of national caliber, including the Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara Medical University, and Nara Women's University. These institutions boast top-tier research standards in specific fields, from deep tech to medical and life sciences. The depth of accumulated research seeds and the motivation of researchers and students to convert them into businesses are Nara Prefecture's unique strengths.

Starting with the formulation of the "Nara Startup Program" in 2024, the foundation for industry-academia collaboration beyond the boundaries of research institutions is being established through both policy and systems, including the operation of an internal startup certification system at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology and the certification of the establishment of the Nara Institute of Science and Technology Medical Engineering Collaboration Organization in March 2026.

While the environment is being developed, it is not easy for researchers to independently answer the question, "Whose problem does this technology solve?" and see it through to commercialization. Therefore, AlphaDrive is participating in this project with the belief that practical, hands-on support that can accurately assess the technological superiority of research seeds while continuously questioning their viability as a business is essential.

Our goal in undertaking this project with the prefecture is not only to support the commercialization of individual research seeds but also to create a flow of continuous startup creation originating from Nara Prefecture.

About This Project

This "University-Origin Startup Support Project" is one of the core initiatives of the "Nara Startup Program" promoted by Nara Prefecture. It aims to provide integrated support from the discovery of research seeds to commercialization and entrepreneurship, primarily for researchers, students, and faculty members affiliated with universities and other institutions in the prefecture. AlphaDrive will be responsible for the entire process, from the screening and selection of businesses eligible for subsidies to hands-on support for the selected applicants.

AlphaDrive's Support

Since its founding, AlphaDrive has accumulated practical knowledge in the startup phase of new business and startup launches through hands-on support for over 23,800 business ideas and support for over 260 companies.

Based on this practical knowledge, this project will provide consistent, hands-on support, from fostering the entrepreneurial will of individual researchers to articulating customer challenges, hypothesis testing, and designing concrete actions for commercialization. All of our mentors have practical experience in launching new businesses, management, and entrepreneurship, and will provide support tailored to each selected applicant's research seeds and stage of commercialization.

R&D Support at AlphaDrive

AlphaDrive has established and operates an "R&D Incubation Center" specializing in supporting technology-driven business development in the R&D departments of large corporations and research institutions. A key feature of this center is the presence of specialized personnel with a track record of supporting commercialization across a wide range of technological fields.

Personnel who can simultaneously evaluate the technological superiority and business viability will provide support for the question researchers face: "Whose problem does this technology solve?" This project represents the first initiative to deploy the specialized functions of our R&D Incubation Center to regional academia, in addition to the regional co-creation achievements we have accumulated nationwide.

Positioning of This Project within AlphaDrive

AlphaDrive has undertaken projects related to regional startup and new business development support from local governments, universities, and support organizations across Japan, including Kumamoto City, Tochigi Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Utsunomiya City, and Toyota City, accumulating support experience in over 30 prefectures. This collaboration with Nara Prefecture is a step towards expanding our regional co-creation business in the Kinki area and is positioned as an initiative to further deepen our support domain.

AlphaDrive will continue to pursue innovation creation across Japan under its purpose of "Unlocking Human Potential."

Comments from Responsible Individuals

Ryuji Utsunomiya Group Executive Officer, Regional Co-creation Strategy Promotion AlphaDrive Inc.

"Nara Prefecture possesses world-class research potential, yet I feel there is room for growth in specialized support to convert that potential into business. By fully leveraging the practical knowledge honed through regional co-creation efforts nationwide and our unique methodologies, we will contribute to building a foundation for the continuous creation of Nara-origin startups by supporting researchers and students in taking concrete steps towards entrepreneurship."

Daisuke Uno Center Director, R&D Incubation Center AlphaDrive Inc.

"I have been involved for many years in the process of converting technology into business within the R&D departments of large corporations. From that experience, I believe that the moment researchers earnestly confront the question, 'What problem does this technology solve for whom?' is the true starting point for commercialization. For researchers and students who possess excellent research seeds but struggle to find the answer to that question, we will generously provide the knowledge and experience we have cultivated in technology-driven business development support and work together to solve that question."

About AlphaDrive

AlphaDrive Inc. is a comprehensive company in the business development field that provides end-to-end support, from the design of new business management to the launch and growth of individual businesses. Based on the methodology systematized by President & CEO/CAXO Yoichi Aso, we have supported the creation of over 23,800 businesses in 30 prefectures. We redefine business transformation in the AI era as "AX (AI Transformation)" and support companies in evolving their profitability and transforming their businesses and organizations. Key books on our philosophy include "Shin-kigyo no Jissenron" (The Practice of New Business) (2019), "Shin-kigyo no Keieiron" (The Management of New Business) (2025), and "AI Shueki Shinkaron" (AI Profit Evolution Theory) (2026).

<Company Overview>

Company Name: AlphaDrive Inc.

Established: February 23, 2018

Representative: Yoichi Aso, President & CEO/CAXO

Location: Kurusu Bldg. 1F, 2-17-3 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Official Website: https://alphadrive.co.jp

Business Division Site: https://region.alphadrive.co.jp/

<Contact Information>

Contact Person: AlphaDrive Inc.

AlphaDrive REGION Public Relations: Madoka Kusunose

ad.region@alphadrive.co.jp