Kobe City Launches "KERNEL KOBE" to Foster Deep Tech Startups, Supporting from Technology Seed Discovery to Founding and Growth, Accelerating Commercialization.
DEEPCORE Inc. has been selected by Kobe City as a subsidized business operator for the "Deep Tech Startup Creation Course" under the "FY2026 Kobe City Sector-Specific Incubation Project Subsidy." Through this project, DEEPCORE will launch the incubation hub "KERNEL KOBE" to promote the creation of deep tech startups in Kobe City.
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- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 19:00
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DEEPCORE Inc. (hereinafter "DEEPCORE") has been selected as a subsidized business operator for the "Deep Tech Startup Creation Course" under the "FY2026 Kobe City Sector-Specific Incubation Project Subsidy" implemented by Kobe City.
Through this project, DEEPCORE will launch the incubation hub "KERNEL KOBE" to promote the creation of deep tech startups in Kobe City. By combining the incubation expertise cultivated over eight years in Hongo, Tokyo, supporting entrepreneurs, engineers, and researchers in the AI domain, with the strengths of Kobe City, where healthcare and biotech industries and research institutions are concentrated, DEEPCORE will accelerate the commercialization of technological seeds.
There are structural challenges in connecting technology with business for the creation of deep tech startups.
Even for researchers with promising technologies, the hurdles of product development, customer acquisition, and fundraising are high when undertaken alone. The key to breaking through PoC (Proof of Concept) and driving business lies in forming an appropriate team in the early stages.
On the other hand, research and technology are widely dispersed across universities and research institutions nationwide, while management talent is concentrated in major metropolitan areas, limiting opportunities for the two to meet.
Furthermore, the deep tech domain has a long commercialization period, requiring continuous mentoring and phased fundraising support even after founding. Against this backdrop, Japan's deep tech ecosystem demands a comprehensive hub that provides integrated support from team formation to fundraising.
With an investment track record of approximately 140 companies, DEEPCORE launched "KERNEL HONGO," an incubation hub supporting AI entrepreneurs and engineers, in 2018, forming a community of approximately 800 participants to date. In 2025, it was also selected for NEDO's "Management Personnel Securing Support Project for University-Launched Startups (MPM)," accumulating a track record of startup support centered on connecting research/technology with management talent.
In this project, based on this knowledge and track record, "KERNEL KOBE" will create contact points between technological seeds and management talent in Kobe City and accelerate the creation of deep tech startups by providing consistent support throughout the pre- and post-founding stages.
◼️ About the Planned Programs of KERNEL KOBE
1. Technology Seed Discovery and Brainstorming Support Program
This program targets technology seed holders at universities and research institutions, providing brainstorming support from the business idea stage and verifying markets and needs.
2. Startup Team Formation Program
This program provides consistent support from matching essential personnel for founding, such as engineers with implementation capabilities and business development talent, to organizational development.
3. Community Events and Networking
Regular meetups, study sessions, and technical workshops will be held to create continuous opportunities for entrepreneurs, engineers, researchers, investors, and companies to interact, promoting community formation and revitalization.
◼️ About the "Kobe City Sector-Specific Incubation Project"
Kobe City is working to form a startup ecosystem where innovations are continuously born through the accumulation and establishment of startups and collaboration with local companies, to achieve sustainable growth of the city.
To promote the creation and nurturing of startups within Kobe City, the city will establish activity bases within the city.
Through this project, DEEPCORE will launch the incubation hub "KERNEL KOBE" to promote the creation of deep tech startups in Kobe City. By combining the incubation expertise cultivated over eight years in Hongo, Tokyo, supporting entrepreneurs, engineers, and researchers in the AI domain, with the strengths of Kobe City, where healthcare and biotech industries and research institutions are concentrated, DEEPCORE will accelerate the commercialization of technological seeds.
There are structural challenges in connecting technology with business for the creation of deep tech startups.
Even for researchers with promising technologies, the hurdles of product development, customer acquisition, and fundraising are high when undertaken alone. The key to breaking through PoC (Proof of Concept) and driving business lies in forming an appropriate team in the early stages.
On the other hand, research and technology are widely dispersed across universities and research institutions nationwide, while management talent is concentrated in major metropolitan areas, limiting opportunities for the two to meet.
Furthermore, the deep tech domain has a long commercialization period, requiring continuous mentoring and phased fundraising support even after founding. Against this backdrop, Japan's deep tech ecosystem demands a comprehensive hub that provides integrated support from team formation to fundraising.
With an investment track record of approximately 140 companies, DEEPCORE launched "KERNEL HONGO," an incubation hub supporting AI entrepreneurs and engineers, in 2018, forming a community of approximately 800 participants to date. In 2025, it was also selected for NEDO's "Management Personnel Securing Support Project for University-Launched Startups (MPM)," accumulating a track record of startup support centered on connecting research/technology with management talent.
In this project, based on this knowledge and track record, "KERNEL KOBE" will create contact points between technological seeds and management talent in Kobe City and accelerate the creation of deep tech startups by providing consistent support throughout the pre- and post-founding stages.
◼️ About the Planned Programs of KERNEL KOBE
1. Technology Seed Discovery and Brainstorming Support Program
This program targets technology seed holders at universities and research institutions, providing brainstorming support from the business idea stage and verifying markets and needs.
2. Startup Team Formation Program
This program provides consistent support from matching essential personnel for founding, such as engineers with implementation capabilities and business development talent, to organizational development.
3. Community Events and Networking
Regular meetups, study sessions, and technical workshops will be held to create continuous opportunities for entrepreneurs, engineers, researchers, investors, and companies to interact, promoting community formation and revitalization.
◼️ About the "Kobe City Sector-Specific Incubation Project"
Kobe City is working to form a startup ecosystem where innovations are continuously born through the accumulation and establishment of startups and collaboration with local companies, to achieve sustainable growth of the city.
To promote the creation and nurturing of startups within Kobe City, the city will establish activity bases within the city.