- Block71 Tokyo will foster innovation with three key partnerships
- Aims to support startups, researchers & students by connecting them with investors
NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), is expanding its presence in Japan with the launch of its second Block71 office in Tokyo, following its first location in Nagoya in November 2024.
In collaboration with central Japan innovation capital, Kyoto University, and TIS Inc., NUS Enterprise aims to support startups, researchers, and students while connecting them with investors. These partnerships align with Japan’s efforts to accelerate the growth of its startup ecosystem.
Located at Takanawa Gateway Link Scholars’ hub, Block71 Tokyo will help Southeast Asian technology-driven startups grow in Japan, contributing to urban development in environmental sustainability, mobility and robotics, and smart health. It will also provide Japanese startups with resources to expand into Southeast Asia and beyond.
“Japan’s strong foundation in technology and research makes it an ideal environment for startup growth. It ranks among the world’s top three countries for patent applications and invests over three percent of its GDP in R&D, one of the highest globally. This creates immense potential for innovation,” said professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS president, at the opening of Block71 Tokyo.
“With Block71 Tokyo located in the country’s latest innovation hub, we have a strategic platform to connect startups and drive cross-border collaboration. To amplify our impact, we are partnering with one of Japan’s top universities, a major corporation, and a leading venture capital firm, all sharing our vision to foster deep tech innovation and build a robust global ecosystem,” he added.
Building on the success of its globally recognised Block71 model, Block71 Tokyo will promote knowledge exchange, cross-border innovation, and new opportunities for startups entering the Japanese market. To deepen its impact, NUS has signed three key partnerships:
NUS-central Japan innovation capital collaboration: Under a memorandum of understanding signed by associate professor Tee and professor Kazuya Takeda, CJIC CEO, CJIC will invest up to five percent of its assets under management in NUS-affiliated deep tech startups. The fund aims to raise approximately US$33 million (RM138 million) by November 2025. A subsidiary of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, CJIC supports university startups focused on deep tech innovation. NUS and CJIC will also explore broader collaboration opportunities to help startups from both ecosystems expand into the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets.
NUS-Kyoto University collaboration: NUS is strengthening entrepreneurial support for deep tech startups through a partnership with Kyoto University, formalised by an MOU signed by professor Tan and Dr Nagahiro Minato, Kyoto University president. Kyoto University will send startups to join the NUS graduate research innovation programme and will be the first overseas university partner in a localised version of the programme. This initiative will empower Kyoto University’s graduate students, researchers, and alumni to transform research into impactful deep tech ventures.
Both universities will also offer exchange programmes, enabling Kyoto University students to intern at NUS GRIP startups, while NUS GRIP startups gain hands-on experience from Kyoto University innovation capital co., ltd, the university’s venture capital arm. This partnership enhances the flow of entrepreneurial talent and strengthens innovation ties between the two countries.
NUS-TIS Inc. collaboration: NUS is expanding its global entrepreneurship efforts through a partnership with TIS Inc., one of Japan’s leading IT companies, to build a globally connected startup ecosystem. This collaboration, formalised through a collaboration agreement signed by professor Tan and Yasushi Okamoto, TIS Inc. group president, launches the deep tech seed to A growth expansion programme (Deep-SAGE), a startup acceleration initiative to help seed-stage startups scale towards pre-series A and series A funding.
TIS Inc. will commit a total of US$5.6 million (RM25 million) to support Deep-SAGE over three years, funding three cohorts of up to 10 startups each. TIS Inc. plans to invest a minimum of US$367,000 (RM1.6 million) each in at least two startups per cohort. Block71 will design and deliver the programme, providing structured support through virtual mentorship, workshops, and incubation opportunities at its offices across 11 cities, including Singapore, Silicon Valley, Saigon, and Suzhou.
Through these strategic collaborations, NUS reinforces its position as a leading startup university in the global innovation landscape, nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets and empowering the next generation of technology entrepreneurs.
Following the success of its second Japan immersion programme in Nagoya in 2024, where startups gained insights into Japan’s manufacturing powerhouse, Block71 Japan will launch the third edition in Tokyo in May 2025. The 2024 programme helped startups navigate Japan’s culturally distinct business landscape, build local partnerships, secure customers, and develop proof-of-concept projects.
The 2025 edition will focus on Takanawa Gateway City’s key themes: environmental sustainability, mobility and robotics, and smart health. Five Southeast Asian startups will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions at the upcoming Gateway Tech Takanawa event, a platform for corporations and startups to exchange innovative ideas and solutions. This immersive experience will further strengthen ties between Southeast Asia and Japan, equipping startups with the knowledge and networks needed to expand into new markets and drive innovation.
“As a sub-subsidiary of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, CJIC has a strong commitment to support university startups focused on deep tech innovation and enhance the central Japan economy. NUS and CJIC will also explore broader collaboration opportunities to help startups from both ecosystems expand into the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets,” said Dr Kazuya Takeda, CJIC CEO.
Meanwhile, Dr Nagahiro Minato, Kyoto University president, said: “NUS and Kyoto University have collaborated in basic research for some time, but with this MOU, we will build a new relationship in industry-academia collaboration.”
“Our collaboration with NUS under the Deep-SAGE programme demonstrates TIS Inc.’s unwavering belief in the power of innovation. With this investment, we are poised to accelerate the growth of deep tech startups worldwide. This initiative not only reinforces our commitment to global entrepreneurship but also sets the stage for a new era of technology-driven growth,” said Yasushi Okamoto, TIS Inc. group president.
