[Okayama University] Industry and Investors Take Notice: 11 Okayama University Researchers Present at 'PSI DemoDay 2026'
11 researchers from Okayama University presented at the 'PSI GAP Fund DemoDay 2026', an event aimed at fostering university-launched startups. This event promotes the social implementation of research findings and strengthens collaboration with industry and investors.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 00:05
- 🔍 Collected: May 3, 2026 at 15:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 3, 2026 at 15:35 (4 min after Collected)
May 3, 2026
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
11 researchers from Okayama University presented at the "PSI GAP Fund DemoDay 2026" held in Hiroshima City on April 13, 2026, by "Peace & Science Innovation (PSI)", a platform for creating university-launched startups in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, in which National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Nasu) participates.
The PSI GAP Fund is a mechanism that promotes the social implementation of promising technological seeds from universities and the creation of university-launched startups. It is open for applications in two stages, Step 1 and Step 2, depending on the stage towards entrepreneurship. Step 1 is the stage for verifying the feasibility of commercialization, with a maximum support amount of 5 million yen over one year. Step 2 is the stage for demonstrating business viability and solving problems towards entrepreneurship, with a maximum support amount of 60 million yen over a maximum of three years. In both stages, in addition to funding, integrated support such as mentoring, matching, ongoing support, acceleration, and global expansion support is provided.
DemoDay was planned as a venue for selected participants to present their achievements and future prospects, aiming for new encounters with industry and investors. This was the second time the event was held, following last year.
On the day of the event, approximately 230 people, including researchers, university officials, VCs, investors, manufacturers, financial institutions, and government officials, participated. Approximately 40 research seeds from participating PSI universities were announced, and the venue was greatly enlivened by passionate presentations from the speakers. A poster session and networking event were also held, where active discussions took place for the social implementation and commercialization of research results and for new collaborations.
From Okayama University, the following researchers presented: Professor Takashi Teranishi, Professor Yuki Kadota, Professor Yoshiteru Nonen, Research Professor Yuhei Chatani, Assistant Professor Junji Yamakawa from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science (Step 1 adoptees); Associate Professor Ken Takahashi from the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Step 1 adoptee); Professor Kazuo Takahashi from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science (Step 2 adoptee); Professor Takeshi Hotta, Professor Hiroko Hasei, Research Professor Jumpei Uchiyama, and Assistant Professor Naoko Nose from the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Step 2 adoptees). Each presented their respective research seeds.
Okayama University will continue to steadily connect excellent research results to social implementation, and to create new value and solve regional issues through startup creation and industry-academia-government collaboration.
The PSI GAP Fund is scheduled to be open for applications again this year. The Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters of the Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization provides ongoing support for the adoption of the GAP Fund, from application preparation to submission and commercialization. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested.
Please look forward to the initiatives of Okayama University: an open regional core and distinctive research university.
This information was released by Okayama University on April 22, 2026.
Professor Hiroko Hasei presenting
Professor Takeshi Hotta presenting
Research Professor Yuhei Chatani presenting
Research Professor Takashi Teranishi presenting
◆ References
- University-launched Startup Creation Platform "Peace & Science Innovation Ecosystem (PSI)"
https://psi-ecosystem.net/
- PSI GAP Fund
https://psi-ecosystem.net/support1
- Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
- Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters
https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/
- Okayama University "Okayama University Venture Support Terrace V-Story" Entrepreneurship Consultation Service
https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/consultation/
◆ Related Information
- [Okayama University] 9 Okayama University Faculty Members Adopted for PSI GAP Fund ~ Accelerating Social Implementation of Research Results and Startup Creation ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003956.000072793.html
- [Okayama University] PSI Entrepreneurship Festival Held: Okayama University Cooperates in Planning and Management, University Members Present
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003909.000072793.html
- [Okayama University] Okayama University Students Adopted for PSI Doctoral Human Resource Development Program (NUS GRIP), Commencing Local Training in Singapore
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003894.000072793.html
- [Okayama University
National University Corporation Okayama University
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/
◆ Overview
11 researchers from Okayama University presented at the "PSI GAP Fund DemoDay 2026" held in Hiroshima City on April 13, 2026, by "Peace & Science Innovation (PSI)", a platform for creating university-launched startups in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, in which National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Nasu) participates.
The PSI GAP Fund is a mechanism that promotes the social implementation of promising technological seeds from universities and the creation of university-launched startups. It is open for applications in two stages, Step 1 and Step 2, depending on the stage towards entrepreneurship. Step 1 is the stage for verifying the feasibility of commercialization, with a maximum support amount of 5 million yen over one year. Step 2 is the stage for demonstrating business viability and solving problems towards entrepreneurship, with a maximum support amount of 60 million yen over a maximum of three years. In both stages, in addition to funding, integrated support such as mentoring, matching, ongoing support, acceleration, and global expansion support is provided.
DemoDay was planned as a venue for selected participants to present their achievements and future prospects, aiming for new encounters with industry and investors. This was the second time the event was held, following last year.
On the day of the event, approximately 230 people, including researchers, university officials, VCs, investors, manufacturers, financial institutions, and government officials, participated. Approximately 40 research seeds from participating PSI universities were announced, and the venue was greatly enlivened by passionate presentations from the speakers. A poster session and networking event were also held, where active discussions took place for the social implementation and commercialization of research results and for new collaborations.
From Okayama University, the following researchers presented: Professor Takashi Teranishi, Professor Yuki Kadota, Professor Yoshiteru Nonen, Research Professor Yuhei Chatani, Assistant Professor Junji Yamakawa from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science (Step 1 adoptees); Associate Professor Ken Takahashi from the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Step 1 adoptee); Professor Kazuo Takahashi from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science (Step 2 adoptee); Professor Takeshi Hotta, Professor Hiroko Hasei, Research Professor Jumpei Uchiyama, and Assistant Professor Naoko Nose from the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Step 2 adoptees). Each presented their respective research seeds.
Okayama University will continue to steadily connect excellent research results to social implementation, and to create new value and solve regional issues through startup creation and industry-academia-government collaboration.
The PSI GAP Fund is scheduled to be open for applications again this year. The Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters of the Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization provides ongoing support for the adoption of the GAP Fund, from application preparation to submission and commercialization. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested.
Please look forward to the initiatives of Okayama University: an open regional core and distinctive research university.
This information was released by Okayama University on April 22, 2026.
Professor Hiroko Hasei presenting
Professor Takeshi Hotta presenting
Research Professor Yuhei Chatani presenting
Research Professor Takashi Teranishi presenting
◆ References
- University-launched Startup Creation Platform "Peace & Science Innovation Ecosystem (PSI)"
https://psi-ecosystem.net/
- PSI GAP Fund
https://psi-ecosystem.net/support1
- Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization
https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/
- Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters
https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/
- Okayama University "Okayama University Venture Support Terrace V-Story" Entrepreneurship Consultation Service
https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/consultation/
◆ Related Information
- [Okayama University] 9 Okayama University Faculty Members Adopted for PSI GAP Fund ~ Accelerating Social Implementation of Research Results and Startup Creation ~
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003956.000072793.html
- [Okayama University] PSI Entrepreneurship Festival Held: Okayama University Cooperates in Planning and Management, University Members Present
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003909.000072793.html
- [Okayama University] Okayama University Students Adopted for PSI Doctoral Human Resource Development Program (NUS GRIP), Commencing Local Training in Singapore
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003894.000072793.html
- [Okayama University