Innovation Kyoto 2021 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-ICAP No.2 Fund"), with Kyoto University Innovation Capital Corporation ("Kyoto iCAP") (Head Office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Kusumi Kusunoki) as general partner, has made an additional investment in TSK Co. (Head office: Seika-machi, Souraku-gun, Kyoto; Representative Director: Sun Eun-tsung), a venture company that utilizes the results of research at Kyoto University.

Outline of this investment
TSK is a Kyoto University venture established in July 2021 based on the results of research on iron catalysts by Professor Shoji Nakamura of the Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University (in the area of organic molecular transformation chemistry).

Synthesis of high-performance organic compounds such as OLED materials and medical and agricultural chemicals requires heavy precious metal catalysts such as palladium. However, due to the geopolitical risks in Russia and China, the major mining areas for these metals, and increasing ESG considerations due to soil contamination during mining, iron catalysts, which are cheaper and safer, are attracting attention as an alternative to heavy precious metals. However, iron catalysts have been limited to a few applications because they require high-pressure, large synthetic reactors.

TSK has concluded an exclusive joint research agreement with Prof. Nakamura to develop new OLED materials and other materials with industrial applications using iron catalysts. To date, more than 70 new organic compounds have been successfully synthesized, and some of these materials are being developed in collaboration with major manufacturers. In addition to the development of new organic compounds, TSK will work with manufacturers to synthesize various compounds using iron as a catalyst, and will supply green materials that promote environmental friendliness.

Kyoto iCAP has invested an additional 100 million yen through a third-party allocation of new shares in recognition of TSK's R&D capabilities in iron catalyst chemistry and the social significance of iron catalyst technology. Ltd., Kyogin Lease Capital, Inc., Senshu Ikeda Capital Co.

CorporationTSK　summary
Establishment July 2021
Business Development and sales of new compounds using iron catalyst technology and support for manufacturing methods
Head office location Seika-machi, Souraku-gun, Kyoto
Representative Director Sun Eun Cheol
HP:https://tsk.kyoto/

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.(Kyoto-iCAP)About
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyoto University, KYOTO-iCAP provides investment and other business support to companies that utilize research results generated by Kyoto University and other national universities. We currently operate the Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-iCAP 1 Fund") (established in January 2016) with a total value of 16 billion yen and the KYOTO-iCAP 2 Fund (established in January 2021) with a total value of 18.1 billion yen. The KYOTO-iCAP No. 1 Fund has a maturity of up to 20 years, and the KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund has a maturity of up to 17 years, making it possible to provide long-term support for the practical application of research results from Kyoto University, which has strengths in basic research. In addition, KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund will invest a portion of the funds in ventures originating from national universities other than Kyoto University.

Contact information for inquiries
Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.
36-1 Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8317, Japan
Osami Kono, Senior Officer, Business Development Department
TEL: 075-753-7588 FAX: 075-753-7592
E-mail: info@kyoto-unicap.co.jp