Kyoto University Innovation Capital and Nanto Capital Partners, Inc.Collaboration Agreement Signed to Strengthen Support for Academia-Launched Ventures
～Formation of an ecosystem for ventures originating in academia that transcends regional boundaries

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Corporation ("Kyoto iCAP"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyoto University, a national university corporation, and Nanto Capital Partners Co.

Expectations for the research results produced by national universities and public research institutes are increasing in order to create new industries. In order to efficiently return these research results to society, technology transfer organizations (TLOs) and industry-government-academia collaboration functions are being strengthened, and financial support is also being actively provided through collaboration with venture capitalists and other means. In addition, infrastructure is being developed to support the creation and nurturing of university-related ventures, including knowledge support through the implementation of entrepreneurship education programs and the provision of incubation facilities and networks.

Kyoto iCAP has an extensive track record of investment in university-launched venture companies that utilize the research results of Kyoto University, as well as expertise in corporate development. Nanto Capital supports regional revitalization and enhancement of the corporate value of its portfolio companies by returning the resources and strengths of startups to the local economy.

By utilizing the complementary know-how of both parties in fostering companies and technology, it is expected that industrial competitiveness will be enhanced through support for the commercialization of research seeds owned by academia, investment operations, and post-investment support. Kyoto iCAP and Nanto Capital will contribute to the strengthening of the ecosystem surrounding venture businesses originating from academia beyond regional boundaries.

About Kyoto University Innovation Capital (Kyoto iCAP)
　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. The Company currently has two investment funds: the Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-iCAP No. 1 Fund") (established in January 2016) with a total value of 16 billion yen, and the Innovation Kyoto 2021 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund") with a total value of 18 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. The KYOTO-iCAP 1 Fund has a maturity of up to 20 years, and the KYOTO-iCAP 2 Fund has a maturity of up to 17 years. In addition, a portion of the KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund will be invested in ventures originating from national universities and Inter-University Research Institutes other than Kyoto University.

About Nanto Capital Partners
Nanto Capital Partners was created in October 2020 as a specialized investment subsidiary of Nanto Bank. Our mission is "to create new value for Nala through investment" and we will contribute to the development of the region and our investee companies by working hard to create open innovation between startups, the local economy, Nanto Bank's business partners, and the Nanto Bank Group.
Currently, we are managing "Nanto CVC No.3 Akebono Fund," which invests in startups nationwide that are expected to solve and contribute to local economic and social issues, including Nanto Bank, and "Yamato Social Impact Fund," which aims to generate economic returns to solve social issues in Nara Prefecture and its surrounding areas, with the concept of "investment in practitioners" and "fostering practitioners" to The "Yamato Social Impact Fund" is a social impact fund that aims to solve social issues in Nara Prefecture and surrounding areas by investing in practitioners and fostering practitioners with the concept of generating economic returns.

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

Nanto Capital Partners Co.
16 Hashimoto-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8677, Japan
（Kiyotaka Yuda, Public Relations
TEL: 0742-27-1547
E-mail: info@nanto-cap.com