[KUC] Kobe University Capital Forms 'KUC Fund No. 2 Limited Partnership,' Aiming for a Total Scale of 6 Billion JPY
Kobe University Capital (KUC) has formed its second fund, 'KUC Fund No. 2,' dedicated to investing in deep-tech startups originating from universities. Having received investments from entities like JIC and SBI Group, the fund aims for a final total of 6 billion JPY. A key feature is the introduction of a 'Company Creation' model to work alongside researchers from the earliest stages.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (14h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 02:29 (492h 50m after Collected)
Kobe University Capital, Inc. (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo; Representative Director / Managing Partner: Yoshifumi Mizuhara, hereinafter 'KUC') announces the formation of the 'KUC Fund No. 2 Limited Partnership' (hereinafter 'KUC Fund No. 2') for the purpose of investing in deep-tech startups based on outstanding research seeds from Kobe University and the Kobe/Kansai region, as well as from across Japan. The fund had its 1st close in January 2026 and completed its 2nd close in March 2026. To date, the fund has received investments from nine entities, including the Japan Investment Corporation (JIC), SBI Group, and other major domestic institutional investors and financial institutions.
### ■ Background and Vision
In Japan's startup ecosystem, the long-term supply of risk money to university-launched deep-tech startups remains insufficient, creating a structural issue where excellent technology seeds, especially from regional universities, are not fully utilized. While the majority of VCs operate mainly in the Tokyo area, KUC has been conducting investment activities by maximizing three advantages: 'the knowledge and human resources of Kobe University,' 'the research and development environment of the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster,' and 'the international network of the global city of Kobe.'
KUC Fund No. 2 will further accelerate these efforts. Under a partnership agreement with Kobe University, we will newly introduce a 'Company Creation' model that consistently handles everything from seed exploration to startup support, lead investment, hands-on growth support, and overseas expansion. We aim to produce world-class deep-tech startups by working alongside researchers.
### ■ Overview of KUC Fund No. 2
- **Fund Name:** KUC Fund No. 2 Limited Partnership
- **Formation Date:** January 2026
- **Operating Period:** 10 years (with a possible extension of up to 2 years)
- **GP:** KUC Partners II Limited Liability Partnership
### ■ List of Limited Partners (LPs)
This fund has received investments from the following nine major domestic institutional investors and financial institutions:
- Japan Investment Corporation
- SBI Group
- The Kobe Shinkin Bank
- The Minato Bank, Ltd.
- Ikeda Senshu Bank, Ltd.
- Osaka Shoko Shinkin Bank
- University of Tokyo-related Startup Promotion Fund Investment Limited Partnership (GP: UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.)
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- The Tajima Bank, Ltd.
### ■ Background and Vision
In Japan's startup ecosystem, the long-term supply of risk money to university-launched deep-tech startups remains insufficient, creating a structural issue where excellent technology seeds, especially from regional universities, are not fully utilized. While the majority of VCs operate mainly in the Tokyo area, KUC has been conducting investment activities by maximizing three advantages: 'the knowledge and human resources of Kobe University,' 'the research and development environment of the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster,' and 'the international network of the global city of Kobe.'
KUC Fund No. 2 will further accelerate these efforts. Under a partnership agreement with Kobe University, we will newly introduce a 'Company Creation' model that consistently handles everything from seed exploration to startup support, lead investment, hands-on growth support, and overseas expansion. We aim to produce world-class deep-tech startups by working alongside researchers.
### ■ Overview of KUC Fund No. 2
- **Fund Name:** KUC Fund No. 2 Limited Partnership
- **Formation Date:** January 2026
- **Operating Period:** 10 years (with a possible extension of up to 2 years)
- **GP:** KUC Partners II Limited Liability Partnership
### ■ List of Limited Partners (LPs)
This fund has received investments from the following nine major domestic institutional investors and financial institutions:
- Japan Investment Corporation
- SBI Group
- The Kobe Shinkin Bank
- The Minato Bank, Ltd.
- Ikeda Senshu Bank, Ltd.
- Osaka Shoko Shinkin Bank
- University of Tokyo-related Startup Promotion Fund Investment Limited Partnership (GP: UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.)
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- The Tajima Bank, Ltd.