Kanazawa Institute of Technology's Logistics Drones and Toyama University's Itch Treatment Head Toward Commercialization: TeSH and Startup Class Match Four Research Teams with Executive Talent

Startup Class, Inc. (HQ: Tokyo; Representative Director: Kiyotaka Fujioka), a company engaged in startup support, announced that it has successfully matched four pairs of researchers and executive talent (CXO candidates) in a deep tech startup support project jointly promoted with 'TeSH (Tech Startup Hokuriku),' a platform for creating university-led ventures in the Hokuriku region.

This project was conducted in collaboration between TeSH and Startup Class to solve the structural problem specific to Japan's deep tech sector, where 'excellent technology exists in regional areas, but there is a shortage of management talent.'

On November 28, 2025, a matching event was held at 'TOKYO MIDTOWN YAESU Innovation Field' in Yaesu, Tokyo, featuring 5 researchers selected by TeSH and approximately 20 executive talent candidates from the metropolitan area. The selected talent and carefully curated research seeds held concrete commercialization discussions.

Following the event, the Startup Class operations team provided ongoing support, facilitating discussions and relationship building for startup creation or participation. As a result, 4 pairs (6 individuals) were successfully matched within approximately four months of the event.

Testimonials from Matched Parties [Researcher] Professor Takeshi Akasaka (Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Department of Aerospace Engineering): 'Sharing my vision of using logistics drones for disaster support and meeting management professionals who have succeeded in various businesses was a significant step forward toward commercialization.' [Researcher] Associate Professor Daisuke Uta (University of Toyama, Academic Research Institute, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences): 'I was struggling to secure CXO talent, including management, needed for startup creation. Connecting through Startup Class with individuals who have experience in management and marketing and who empathize with our vision is a major step toward establishing our startup.'

Testimonials from Executive Talent [Executive] Mr. Kuroda (Specialty: Former major medical device manufacturer, new business development, market entry, sales): 'I feel great significance in having contact with research and professors that I would not normally encounter through Startup Class's matching.' [Executive] Mr. Sato (Representative Director of Michiterasu Co., Ltd.; Specialty: New business development, commercialization support, sales strategy): 'It was impressive to have Startup Class accompany us in laying the foundation to move forward as a team aiming in the same direction, while carefully discussing the roles the business side can play in the commercialization of research.'

Testimonial from TeSH [TeSH] Mr. Shimbo (TeSH Operations Office / Kanazawa University): 'Through Startup Class's broad talent network and careful selection/matching, we achieved results exceeding our expectations. I feel this initiative is a valuable step that expands the potential for future startup creation support for TeSH as well.'