Relic, a Business Co-creation Company, in Collaboration with Toyama University, Obtains National Certification for 'Toyama Co-Accel Fund (T-CAF)' to Support University-Launched Startups
Relic, a business co-creation company, in collaboration with Toyama University, has obtained national certification for its 'Toyama Co-Accel Fund (T-CAF)' to support university-launched startups. This certification, based on the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Act, will enable T-CAF to receive investment and human/technical assistance from Toyama University, accelerating innovation and regional problem-solving in the Hokuriku region.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 20:43
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (16h 55m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 08:39 (498h 59m after Collected)
Relic Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director CEO: Takahiro Kitajima; hereinafter Relic), a business co-creation company, announced that its 'Toyama Co-Accel Investment Limited Partnership' (commonly known as 'T-CAF' / Relic is the unlimited partner (GP)), which is being promoted in collaboration with Toyama University, received certification as a 'Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Program' under the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Act from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry on March 27, 2026.
Moving forward, T-CAF is scheduled to be established in June 2026, based on the certified Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Program plan. Toyama University will invest in T-CAF after receiving investment approval from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, thereby promoting the social implementation of research outcomes and technological seeds originating from Toyama University. As the GP, Relic will proceed with building a system to provide end-to-end support for the commercialization and growth of research outcomes.
T-CAF aims to create next-generation innovation by utilizing the outstanding research outcomes held by national, public, and private universities in the Hokuriku region, including Toyama University. Beyond mere financial provision, it aims to achieve a virtuous cycle of economic returns and regional problem-solving through industry-government-academia-finance collaboration and hands-on support. With the theme of 'Regional challenges, regional technology, from region to the world,' T-CAF will work to create world-class innovation and a sustainable regional economic model from the Toyama and Hokuriku regions.
## ■ Key Initiatives Made Possible by the Certification
Venture capital firms, etc., that intend to implement projects (Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Programs) to provide management advice and funding to those who utilize research outcomes related to the technology of national university corporations, etc., in their business activities (university-launched ventures, etc.), can submit a plan for said project to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and receive certification that the plan is appropriate.
Venture capital firms, etc., that have received certification that their plan is appropriate in light of the guidelines set by both ministers (Certified Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Providers) can receive investment as well as human and technical assistance from national university corporations, etc.
*The Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Program plan is published on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website 'Investment by National Universities, etc., in VCs, etc.' (URL below).
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/innovation_corp/syusshi.html
## ■ Comment from the Director of the Deep Tech Innovation Center
Keiichi Kaneko, Executive Officer, Director of Deep Tech Innovation Center, Relic Inc.
We perceive this certification as an extremely significant step in connecting the research outcomes and industrial base of the Hokuriku region, including Toyama University, to the next generation of growth industries. I myself have continuously visited Toyama and have been exposed to the diverse technological seeds and business opportunities accumulated in the prefecture. The Hokuriku region possesses world-class research outcomes, excellent manufacturing foundations, industrial clusters, and diverse stakeholders who support the region.
Moving forward, T-CAF is scheduled to be established in June 2026, based on the certified Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Program plan. Toyama University will invest in T-CAF after receiving investment approval from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, thereby promoting the social implementation of research outcomes and technological seeds originating from Toyama University. As the GP, Relic will proceed with building a system to provide end-to-end support for the commercialization and growth of research outcomes.
T-CAF aims to create next-generation innovation by utilizing the outstanding research outcomes held by national, public, and private universities in the Hokuriku region, including Toyama University. Beyond mere financial provision, it aims to achieve a virtuous cycle of economic returns and regional problem-solving through industry-government-academia-finance collaboration and hands-on support. With the theme of 'Regional challenges, regional technology, from region to the world,' T-CAF will work to create world-class innovation and a sustainable regional economic model from the Toyama and Hokuriku regions.
## ■ Key Initiatives Made Possible by the Certification
Venture capital firms, etc., that intend to implement projects (Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Programs) to provide management advice and funding to those who utilize research outcomes related to the technology of national university corporations, etc., in their business activities (university-launched ventures, etc.), can submit a plan for said project to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and receive certification that the plan is appropriate.
Venture capital firms, etc., that have received certification that their plan is appropriate in light of the guidelines set by both ministers (Certified Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Providers) can receive investment as well as human and technical assistance from national university corporations, etc.
*The Specified Research Outcome Utilization Support Program plan is published on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website 'Investment by National Universities, etc., in VCs, etc.' (URL below).
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/innovation_corp/syusshi.html
## ■ Comment from the Director of the Deep Tech Innovation Center
Keiichi Kaneko, Executive Officer, Director of Deep Tech Innovation Center, Relic Inc.
We perceive this certification as an extremely significant step in connecting the research outcomes and industrial base of the Hokuriku region, including Toyama University, to the next generation of growth industries. I myself have continuously visited Toyama and have been exposed to the diverse technological seeds and business opportunities accumulated in the prefecture. The Hokuriku region possesses world-class research outcomes, excellent manufacturing foundations, industrial clusters, and diverse stakeholders who support the region.