NanoFrontier Selected for Vietnam Startup Acceleration Program 'NIC Scale X'
NanoFrontier Inc., a deep-tech startup originating from Tohoku University, has been selected for 'NIC Scale X,' a startup acceleration program in Vietnam funded by the Japanese government. Utilizing its organic nanoparticle battery technology that can reduce capital expenditure by over 65%, the company will accelerate social implementation and supply chain construction in the rapidly growing Vietnamese energy storage market.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 09:31
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NanoFrontier Inc. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; CEO: Seiya Inoue; hereinafter 'NanoFrontier') is pleased to announce that it has been selected for 'NIC Scale X,' a startup acceleration program funded by the Japanese government, co-operated by the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), with Mitsubishi Research Institute and Plug and Play APAC serving as implementing partners.
Based in the 'Vietnam-Japan Innovation Hub' in Hoa Lac, Vietnam, this program connects startups with investors, corporations, universities, and policymakers to support cross-border collaboration and market development between Vietnam and Japan. Through this selection, NanoFrontier will fully promote the implementation and commercialization of its organic nanoparticle technology, developed at Tohoku University, in the Vietnamese market.
Background of Selection
NanoFrontier is a deep-tech company established in April 2025 as a startup originating from Tohoku University. Based on nanoparticle generation technology researched and developed at Tohoku University for over 30 years, it has evolved conventional batch processing and small-lot production, which were previously limited to the pharmaceutical field, into a scalable mass production system using a continuous flow process. Currently, it is developing nanoparticle solutions spanning five areas: PFAS detection, energy storage batteries, immersion coolants, hydrogen catalysts, and pharmaceuticals.
Particularly in the energy storage battery sector, by utilizing organic nanoparticles as an electrolyte, the company is working on the development of next-generation batteries that solve the issues of high cost, corrosion, and rare-metal dependency associated with conventional vanadium redox flow batteries. Estimates show that eliminating the need for vanadium and expensive Nafion membranes can reduce capital expenditure (CAPEX) by more than 65%.
In Vietnam, the energy storage capacity target for 2030 has been significantly raised from 300MW to a maximum of 16.3GW, leading to a rapidly expanding demand for Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) solutions aimed at stabilizing renewable energy. With this selection as an opportunity, the company will accelerate its market entry in earnest.
Future Initiatives
Through its participation in this program, NanoFrontier will prioritize the following:
Launching Operations in Vietnam
Accelerate customer validation (PoC) and business negotiations with local energy operators, power companies, and industrial parks, and advance the construction of a supply chain with OEM and EPC companies.
Building an Investor and Partner Network
Expand opportunities for funding and business alliances in the Southeast Asian market by leveraging Plug and Play's VC and corporate networks, participating in field visits to Singapore and Japan (funded by UNDP), and presenting at demo days.
Comment from the CEO
'Vietnam is experiencing the rapid expansion of renewable energy and the development of energy storage infrastructure simultaneously, making it one of the most promising markets for the social implementation of our organic nanoparticle battery technology. Being selected for NIC Scale X, supported by the Japanese government, is a major turning point in expanding Tohoku University-born technology from Asia to the world. Together with our partners UNDP, Mitsubishi Research Institute, and Plug and Play, we will contribute to Vietnam's decarbonization and energy stabilization.'
(Seiya Inoue, CEO)
About the NIC Scale X Accelerator Program
NIC Scale X is a startup acceleration program funded by the Japanese government, co-operated by the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) and UNDP, and implemented by Mitsubishi Research Institute and Plug and Play APAC. Based at the 'Vietnam-Japan Innovation Hub' in NIC Hoa Lac, the program supports early-stage startups over a 13-week period (May 18 - August 10, 2026), focusing on key areas such as Healthcare, Clean Energy (ESG), Enviro-tech, Smart Factory, Agritech, IoT, and Cloud Infrastructure.
Selected startups are provided with access to office and joint research facilities at NIC Hoa Lac, business development consulting by Mitsubishi Research Institute, expert mentoring and VC introductions through Plug and Play, overseas study tours to Singapore and Japan (funded by UNDP), cloud credits such as Google Cloud and Microsoft for Startups, meeting opportunities with investors, and presentations at demo days.
Based in the 'Vietnam-Japan Innovation Hub' in Hoa Lac, Vietnam, this program connects startups with investors, corporations, universities, and policymakers to support cross-border collaboration and market development between Vietnam and Japan. Through this selection, NanoFrontier will fully promote the implementation and commercialization of its organic nanoparticle technology, developed at Tohoku University, in the Vietnamese market.
Background of Selection
NanoFrontier is a deep-tech company established in April 2025 as a startup originating from Tohoku University. Based on nanoparticle generation technology researched and developed at Tohoku University for over 30 years, it has evolved conventional batch processing and small-lot production, which were previously limited to the pharmaceutical field, into a scalable mass production system using a continuous flow process. Currently, it is developing nanoparticle solutions spanning five areas: PFAS detection, energy storage batteries, immersion coolants, hydrogen catalysts, and pharmaceuticals.
Particularly in the energy storage battery sector, by utilizing organic nanoparticles as an electrolyte, the company is working on the development of next-generation batteries that solve the issues of high cost, corrosion, and rare-metal dependency associated with conventional vanadium redox flow batteries. Estimates show that eliminating the need for vanadium and expensive Nafion membranes can reduce capital expenditure (CAPEX) by more than 65%.
In Vietnam, the energy storage capacity target for 2030 has been significantly raised from 300MW to a maximum of 16.3GW, leading to a rapidly expanding demand for Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) solutions aimed at stabilizing renewable energy. With this selection as an opportunity, the company will accelerate its market entry in earnest.
Future Initiatives
Through its participation in this program, NanoFrontier will prioritize the following:
Launching Operations in Vietnam
Accelerate customer validation (PoC) and business negotiations with local energy operators, power companies, and industrial parks, and advance the construction of a supply chain with OEM and EPC companies.
Building an Investor and Partner Network
Expand opportunities for funding and business alliances in the Southeast Asian market by leveraging Plug and Play's VC and corporate networks, participating in field visits to Singapore and Japan (funded by UNDP), and presenting at demo days.
Comment from the CEO
'Vietnam is experiencing the rapid expansion of renewable energy and the development of energy storage infrastructure simultaneously, making it one of the most promising markets for the social implementation of our organic nanoparticle battery technology. Being selected for NIC Scale X, supported by the Japanese government, is a major turning point in expanding Tohoku University-born technology from Asia to the world. Together with our partners UNDP, Mitsubishi Research Institute, and Plug and Play, we will contribute to Vietnam's decarbonization and energy stabilization.'
(Seiya Inoue, CEO)
About the NIC Scale X Accelerator Program
NIC Scale X is a startup acceleration program funded by the Japanese government, co-operated by the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) and UNDP, and implemented by Mitsubishi Research Institute and Plug and Play APAC. Based at the 'Vietnam-Japan Innovation Hub' in NIC Hoa Lac, the program supports early-stage startups over a 13-week period (May 18 - August 10, 2026), focusing on key areas such as Healthcare, Clean Energy (ESG), Enviro-tech, Smart Factory, Agritech, IoT, and Cloud Infrastructure.
Selected startups are provided with access to office and joint research facilities at NIC Hoa Lac, business development consulting by Mitsubishi Research Institute, expert mentoring and VC introductions through Plug and Play, overseas study tours to Singapore and Japan (funded by UNDP), cloud credits such as Google Cloud and Microsoft for Startups, meeting opportunities with investors, and presentations at demo days.
FAQ
What is the primary feature of NanoFrontier's battery tech?
It uses organic nanoparticles as electrolytes, eliminating the need for rare metals like vanadium, reducing CAPEX by over 65%.
Why is the company expanding into Vietnam?
Vietnam is heavily increasing its storage capacity targets by 2030, creating massive demand for Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES).
When was NanoFrontier established?
It was founded in April 2025 as a deep-tech startup originating from Tohoku University.