UTokyo IPC & Hakuhodo Launch "BRIDGE" & "LAUNCH UK" Programs via GATS to Accelerate Commercialization of Japanese Deep Tech Research Outcomes by Connecting with Top US and European Ecosystems

Tokyo University of Science and Technology Innovation Platform Development Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Kosuke Ueda; hereinafter "UTokyo IPC") and Hakuhodo Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Kenji Nagura; hereinafter "Hakuhodo") have launched the call for applications for two business commercialization support programs, "BRIDGE" and "LAUNCH UK," in collaboration with top ecosystems in the United States and Europe. These programs are part of "Go Abroad To Scale (GATS)," a program designed to accelerate the commercialization of deep tech startups originating from Japan. In conjunction with this, an online information session will be held on April 22, 2026.

Aiming to Build a New Framework to Connect with International Knowledge, Talent, and Capital from the Research Stage

While the number and investment in deep tech startups in Japan are expanding, the creation of globally competitive companies and large-scale M&A outcomes remain limited. Behind this lies structural challenges not only in technological capabilities but also in capital, talent, and institutional design. In particular, the mechanisms for integrated support from the research stage through commercialization, fundraising, and international expansion, as well as the development of entrepreneurial and investment talent to drive these, are insufficient compared to overseas counterparts.

Based on this recognition, UTokyo IPC and Hakuhodo are promoting the integrated program "Go Abroad To Scale (GATS)" as a preliminary activity of the Cabinet Office's "Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative." GATS aims to support the creation and growth of Japan-originated deep tech startups through both business commercialization support and talent development, in collaboration with leading global players.

This press release announces the start of applications for two programs within the business commercialization support domain of GATS.

### "BRIDGE": Fully Utilizing the Expertise and Support of a Top US NPO to Verify and Refine Business Idea Feasibility

This is a practical program that genuinely focuses on creating startups from research outcomes, in collaboration with "Activate," a leading NPO driving the deep tech entrepreneurial ecosystem in the United States. Activate has a world-class track record, having fostered over 230 deep tech startups to date, with cumulative funding raised by its supported ventures exceeding $5 billion.

Over approximately nine months, this program enhances entrepreneurial decision-making and business construction capabilities through training, and comprehensively verifies market suitability and commercialization strategies for technologies. Furthermore, by connecting to a robust network comprising major US corporations, investors, government agencies, and philanthropists, it promotes business development from the research stage with a global market perspective. The goal is to reduce early-stage uncertainties in deep tech entrepreneurship and accelerate the creation of internationally competitive startups.

For application details, please visit: https://gats-web.jp/program2/bridge

### "LAUNCH UK": Connecting to the European Ecosystem Driving Commercialization in Climate Tech and Physical AI/Robotics to Gain Implementation Power

This program aims to build commercialization capabilities directly linked to global market expansion by connecting participants to the deep tech commercialization process in the UK and Europe. This program will be implemented in collaboration with the ecosystem of Imperial College London (ICL) as a core partner, which has driven the commercialization of research outcomes in fields such as Climate Tech, AI, and Physical AI/Robotics.

ICL has consistently produced promising startups by establishing practical business creation platforms that connect researchers with industry and investors through entrepreneurship support programs such as SuperConnector. This program provides integrated support for validating business hypotheses, team formation, industry collaboration, and fundraising preparation, while deepening understanding of market opportunities and regulatory environments in Europe, thereby promoting commercialization.

Europe, in particular, leads the world in regulations and market design, including decarbonization, making it a strategic market where Japanese technologies can gain an advantage in areas like physical AI/robotics and climate tech. Instead of intensely competitive existing markets, this program offers opportunities for business expansion in Europe as a hub for direct connection with global rule-makers.

For application details, please visit: https://gats-web.jp/program2/launch_UK

In addition to "BRIDGE" and "LAUNCH UK," which are now open for applications, an information session for target participants will be held on April 22nd regarding "CONNECT," a talent development program that began accepting applications in February. We invite individuals aiming to commercialize research outcomes and contribute to Japan's startup ecosystem through VC experience to participate.

### 【Outline of the Information Session】

Organizers: Tokyo University of Science and Technology Innovation Platform Development Co., Ltd., Hakuhodo Inc. Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (JST) Location: Online Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LREGiz-XSbGuzbErSCCwYg#/registration

Target Participants: Business Commercialization Support: Graduate students, researchers, PhD holders, etc. Talent Development: Kosen (college of technology) students, undergraduate students, graduate students, working professionals, etc.

Key contents of the day: - Overview of GSC and GATS programs - Introduction to individual GATS programs - Business Commercialization Support - BRIDGE 　https://gats-web.jp/program2/bridge - LAUNCH UK　https://gats-web.jp/program2/launch_UK - Talent Development - CONNECT 　https://gats-web.jp/program3/connect - INSPIRE　https://gats-web.jp/program3/inspire - Q&A Session

Go Abroad To Scale (GATS): Aiming to Form a Global Startup Ecosystem through Development and Support

Go Abroad To Scale (GATS) is an integrated development and support framework under the Global Startup Campus Initiative, supporting the creation and growth of Japan-originated deep tech startups from both talent and business perspectives.

The mission of this program is to transform Japan's overall innovation ecosystem and build a hub for world-class innovation ecosystems by collaborating with excellent and ambitious researchers, startups, forward-thinking venture capitalists (VCs), accelerators, and corporations both domestically and internationally.

Under this mission, GATS collaborates with key overseas players, including top-tier NPOs and prestigious universities, to provide seamless and comprehensive support from the research stage through entrepreneurship, commercialization, and societal implementation.

By spanning the research, entrepreneurship, and commercialization phases and deploying multiple development and support programs as an integrated framework, GATS aims to establish a global ecosystem in Japan where talent, knowledge, networks, and capital circulate, thereby supporting the medium- to long-term growth and strengthening the international competitiveness of Japan-originated deep tech startups.

About the Global Startup Campus Initiative

The Global Startup Campus Initiative is a government initiative aimed at building a hub for world-class innovation ecosystems and fostering deep tech startups originating from Japan. Currently, preliminary activities are underway to attract excellent global talent and investment, including supporting R&D leading to commercialization and assisting researchers in commercializing their work.

In this context, a collaborative framework with UTokyo IPC as the lead proposer and Hakuhodo as the joint proposer has been selected as the operational support organization for the two fields of "business commercialization support" and "talent development (fellowship)," and will be responsible for planning and operating preliminary activities in these fields.

### Tokyo University of Science and Technology Innovation Platform Development Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC)

Established: January 2016 Shareholders: National University Corporation The University of Tokyo (100%) Location: Entrepreneur Lab 261, South Research Building, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Representative: Kosuke Ueda, Representative Director and President URL: https://www.utokyo-ipc.co.jp/

### Hakuhodo Inc.

Founded: October 6, 1895 Location: Akasaka Biz Tower, 5-3-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Number of Employees: 4,654 (as of September 1, 2025) Representative: Kenji Nagura, Representative Director and President URL: https://www.hakuhodo.co.jp/

### Contact for Inquiries Regarding this Matter

GATS Operating Office press@gats-web.jp Contact: Kawai, Tsuchiya