“KERNEL” where research, technology, and business converge. Japanese deep tech companies create an era of global success.
DEEPCORE's AI incubation hub "KERNEL" supports entrepreneurs and engineers in the AI field. It aims to create an ecosystem where Japanese deep tech companies can thrive globally by consistently supporting matching researchers/engineers with entrepreneurs/management talent, early-stage team formation, and growth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 20:56 (484h 8m after Collected)
DEEPCORE Inc. (hereinafter "DEEPCORE") endorses April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day to express dreams. This press release is about the dream of "KERNEL," an incubation hub operated by DEEPCORE that supports entrepreneurs and engineers in the AI field.
"KERNEL" aims to systematically create encounters between researchers/engineers and entrepreneurs/management talent, rather than by chance, and accelerate the social implementation of technologies that have not yet reached society by supporting early-stage team formation.
### ■ The Dream of "KERNEL"
As AI accelerates the social implementation of technology, AI x deep tech is attracting attention. However, even excellent technology will not reach the world if the early-stage team is not well-formed.
"KERNEL" aims to create a continuous state where startups that are active globally are born by supporting encounters between researchers/engineers and entrepreneurs/management talent who previously had no contact, and by giving shape to technology as a business.
To achieve this, "KERNEL" goes beyond merely being a place for exchange, providing consistent support from matching to the formation of founding teams, and from startup to growth. By combining diverse talents, the social implementation of technology is accelerated, and its results invite further challenges. We will build a place that serves as the starting point for such a cycle.
By supporting early-stage team formation, we will create an ecosystem where Japanese deep tech companies can thrive globally.
### ■ Background
When "KERNEL" was launched in 2018, few people in Japan chose entrepreneurship, and a shortage of startup leaders was a major issue. With the awareness that it was necessary to increase the number of entrepreneurs, DEEPCORE worked on community building in addition to investment. "KERNEL," an incubation hub that supports entrepreneurs and engineers in the AI field, was launched as a place to create a chain reaction where new challenges are born as highly motivated individuals gather and stimulate each other.
Currently, the scope of entrepreneurship is expanding. However, especially in the deep tech domain, structural issues still exist, such as cases where excellent technology does not lead to commercialization, or aspiring entrepreneurs cannot access technology seeds. One of the fundamental factors is the difficulty of forming early-stage teams. Not only do researchers with technology and management talent who can drive business not meet, but there is also a lack of mechanisms to support team formation after they meet. The importance of connecting technology and management and accompanying early-stage organizational development has increased more than ever.
### ■ About "KERNEL," an incubation hub supporting AI entrepreneurs and engineers
"KERNEL" is a membership-based incubation hub supporting AI entrepreneurs and engineers, operated by DEEPCORE, which has an investment track record of approximately 140 companies. Currently, approximately 800 people, including related communities, participate. Its strength lies in being a place where professionals from three areas with world-class expertise intersect: AI engineers, researchers engaged in cutting-edge research, and serial entrepreneurs and management talent.
After approximately 8 years of operation, we have steadily accumulated support achievements along with the growth of the community. Members who once participated in "KERNEL" events are now taking the stage as entrepreneurs, inspiring the next generation.
"KERNEL" aims to systematically create encounters between researchers/engineers and entrepreneurs/management talent, rather than by chance, and accelerate the social implementation of technologies that have not yet reached society by supporting early-stage team formation.
### ■ The Dream of "KERNEL"
As AI accelerates the social implementation of technology, AI x deep tech is attracting attention. However, even excellent technology will not reach the world if the early-stage team is not well-formed.
"KERNEL" aims to create a continuous state where startups that are active globally are born by supporting encounters between researchers/engineers and entrepreneurs/management talent who previously had no contact, and by giving shape to technology as a business.
To achieve this, "KERNEL" goes beyond merely being a place for exchange, providing consistent support from matching to the formation of founding teams, and from startup to growth. By combining diverse talents, the social implementation of technology is accelerated, and its results invite further challenges. We will build a place that serves as the starting point for such a cycle.
By supporting early-stage team formation, we will create an ecosystem where Japanese deep tech companies can thrive globally.
### ■ Background
When "KERNEL" was launched in 2018, few people in Japan chose entrepreneurship, and a shortage of startup leaders was a major issue. With the awareness that it was necessary to increase the number of entrepreneurs, DEEPCORE worked on community building in addition to investment. "KERNEL," an incubation hub that supports entrepreneurs and engineers in the AI field, was launched as a place to create a chain reaction where new challenges are born as highly motivated individuals gather and stimulate each other.
Currently, the scope of entrepreneurship is expanding. However, especially in the deep tech domain, structural issues still exist, such as cases where excellent technology does not lead to commercialization, or aspiring entrepreneurs cannot access technology seeds. One of the fundamental factors is the difficulty of forming early-stage teams. Not only do researchers with technology and management talent who can drive business not meet, but there is also a lack of mechanisms to support team formation after they meet. The importance of connecting technology and management and accompanying early-stage organizational development has increased more than ever.
### ■ About "KERNEL," an incubation hub supporting AI entrepreneurs and engineers
"KERNEL" is a membership-based incubation hub supporting AI entrepreneurs and engineers, operated by DEEPCORE, which has an investment track record of approximately 140 companies. Currently, approximately 800 people, including related communities, participate. Its strength lies in being a place where professionals from three areas with world-class expertise intersect: AI engineers, researchers engaged in cutting-edge research, and serial entrepreneurs and management talent.
After approximately 8 years of operation, we have steadily accumulated support achievements along with the growth of the community. Members who once participated in "KERNEL" events are now taking the stage as entrepreneurs, inspiring the next generation.