Connecting with Top US and European Ecosystems to Accelerate Commercialization of Research. 'BRIDGE' and 'LAUNCH UK' Open for Applications under Go Abroad To Scale (GATS)
UTokyo IPC and Hakuhodo have launched applications for 'BRIDGE' and 'LAUNCH UK' under the GATS program, connecting Japanese deep tech startups with Western ecosystems.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 23:21 (486h 33m after Collected)
The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kosuke Ueda; hereinafter 'UTokyo IPC') and Hakuhodo Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kenji Nagura; hereinafter 'Hakuhodo') announce the opening of applications for two commercialization support programs, 'BRIDGE' and 'LAUNCH UK', which are linked with top ecosystems in the United States and Europe. These programs are part of 'Go Abroad To Scale (GATS)', a program aimed at accelerating the commercialization of deep tech startups originating from Japan. An online briefing session will also be held on April 22, 2026.
## Aiming to Build a New Mechanism Connecting Research Stages with International Expertise, Talent, and Capital
While the number of deep tech startups in Japan and the amount of investment they receive are growing, results such as the creation of globally competitive companies and large-scale M&As remain limited. Behind this lies structural challenges not only in technological capabilities but also in terms of capital, human resources, and institutional design. In particular, compared to overseas, Japan is lacking in both the mechanisms that seamlessly support everything from the research stage to commercialization, fundraising, and international expansion, and the cultivation of the entrepreneurial and investment talent required to drive it.
Recognizing these challenges, UTokyo IPC and Hakuhodo are promoting 'Go Abroad To Scale (GATS)', an integrated program that supports the creation and growth of Japanese deep tech startups from the dual aspects of commercialization support and talent development, in collaboration with top international players. This initiative is positioned as a pioneering activity of the Cabinet Office's 'Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative'.
In this press release, we announce the opening of applications for two programs within the commercialization support domain.
### 'BRIDGE': Fully Leveraging the Expertise and Support of a Top US NPO to Verify and Refine the Feasibility of Business Ideas
This is a practical program that seriously tackles startup creation starting from research results, in collaboration with 'Activate', a leading NPO driving the deep tech startup ecosystem in the US. Activate has a world-class track record, having created over 230 deep tech startups to date, with total funds raised by its supported companies exceeding 5 billion dollars.
Over a period of approximately 9 months, this program provides training to enhance decision-making and business building skills as an entrepreneur, while multidimensionally verifying technology market fit and commercialization strategies. Furthermore, by connecting with a robust network of major US corporations, investors, government agencies, and philanthropists, it drives business creation predicated on global markets right from the research stage. The goal is to reduce the uncertainty in the early phases of deep tech entrepreneurship and accelerate the creation of internationally competitive startups.
Application details: https://gats-web.jp/program2/bridge
### 'LAUNCH UK': Connecting with European Ecosystems Leading Commercialization in Climate Tech and Physical AI/Robotics to Gain Implementation Capabilities
This program directly connects with the commercialization process of deep tech in the UK and Europe, directly linking to global market expansion...
## Aiming to Build a New Mechanism Connecting Research Stages with International Expertise, Talent, and Capital
While the number of deep tech startups in Japan and the amount of investment they receive are growing, results such as the creation of globally competitive companies and large-scale M&As remain limited. Behind this lies structural challenges not only in technological capabilities but also in terms of capital, human resources, and institutional design. In particular, compared to overseas, Japan is lacking in both the mechanisms that seamlessly support everything from the research stage to commercialization, fundraising, and international expansion, and the cultivation of the entrepreneurial and investment talent required to drive it.
Recognizing these challenges, UTokyo IPC and Hakuhodo are promoting 'Go Abroad To Scale (GATS)', an integrated program that supports the creation and growth of Japanese deep tech startups from the dual aspects of commercialization support and talent development, in collaboration with top international players. This initiative is positioned as a pioneering activity of the Cabinet Office's 'Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative'.
In this press release, we announce the opening of applications for two programs within the commercialization support domain.
### 'BRIDGE': Fully Leveraging the Expertise and Support of a Top US NPO to Verify and Refine the Feasibility of Business Ideas
This is a practical program that seriously tackles startup creation starting from research results, in collaboration with 'Activate', a leading NPO driving the deep tech startup ecosystem in the US. Activate has a world-class track record, having created over 230 deep tech startups to date, with total funds raised by its supported companies exceeding 5 billion dollars.
Over a period of approximately 9 months, this program provides training to enhance decision-making and business building skills as an entrepreneur, while multidimensionally verifying technology market fit and commercialization strategies. Furthermore, by connecting with a robust network of major US corporations, investors, government agencies, and philanthropists, it drives business creation predicated on global markets right from the research stage. The goal is to reduce the uncertainty in the early phases of deep tech entrepreneurship and accelerate the creation of internationally competitive startups.
Application details: https://gats-web.jp/program2/bridge
### 'LAUNCH UK': Connecting with European Ecosystems Leading Commercialization in Climate Tech and Physical AI/Robotics to Gain Implementation Capabilities
This program directly connects with the commercialization process of deep tech in the UK and Europe, directly linking to global market expansion...