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Deep-Tech Startups Support Program (DTSU), Deep-Tech Startups Support Program in the Green Transformation field (GX)

Program overview

DTSU: Program period: FY2023 to FY2033, FY2023 budget: JPY 93 billion (total amount of program period), GX：Program period: FY2024 to FY2032, FY2024 budget: JPY 20 - 30 billion
  • NEDO provides various startups support programs in the field of deep-tech. These programs cover from support for potential entrepreneurial personnel to support for the commercialization of technologies that require long-term and large-scale funding.
    Overall picture of startups support programs in the deep-tech field

"Deep-Tech Startups Support Program (DTSU)" and "Deep-Tech Startups Support Program in the Green Transformation field (GX)" provide support for research and development and commercialization in three phases for "deep-tech startups" engaged in research and development of innovative technologies. Eligible projects are those that require long-term research and development and large-scale funding to establish the technology, commercialize it, and implement it in society and that are considered to contribute to solving economic and social issues (carbon neutrality, resource circulation, economic security, etc.) to be addressed by the country or the world as a whole, despite the high risk involved.

DTSU and GX : Aims and Measures

  • DTSU and GX will help startups to grow into large unicorn-sized companies by providing R&D support through flexible phase transitions and program period.
    DTSU and GX : Aims and Measures

Details of Support

Program Flow, Program Period, NEDO's Contribution Rate, and Maximum subsidy Amount
  • This program provides once-through support for the research and development for commercialization and the mass production demonstration through the Stage-Gate reviewing process.
    Phases to be supported
Phase Maximum program period*(1) NEDO's contribution rate Maximum subsidy amount
(1) STS Up to four years for each phase. [Once-through support]
Six years
(One program period is the period until the next round of fundraising.)		 Within 2/3 of the subsidy-eligible expenses 300 million yen or 500 million yen *(2) Total Up to 3 billion yen
(2) PCA 500 million yen or 1 billion yen *(2)
(3) DMP Within 2/3 of the subsidy-eligible expenses or 1/2 of the subsidy-eligible expenses *(3) 2.5 billion yen
  • *(1): The program period is set based on the period from the time when the business receives investment from VCs, CVCs, or other operating companies when it applies for this support program until the next time when the business plans receives investment from VCs, CVCs, or other operating companies (new fundraising). Approximately 1.5 to two years are standard. The maximum period in the above table can be set by going through the Stage-Gate (SG) reviewing process.
  • *(2): Conditions for subsidy increase: When the partner in the commercialization partnership is able to submit a statement of intent and a plan for overseas technology demonstrations
  • *(3): Conditions for 1/2 contribution rate: When the ratio of the total amount of loans to the total amount of investments and loans in the DMP phase is 1/2 or more.(DTSU only. In GX, within 2/3.)

Each project can be continued in the same phase or the next phase if it is approved by the Stage-Gate review.

Timing of Application and Stage-Gate Scheme

Applications can be submitted from any phases. However, each proposer may apply for only one phase that best fits one’s company.
(To apply for a phase, the applicant is required to judge the suitability of the phase based on the most advanced business or research and development activities in one’s company).
Public recruitment will be open for five years, from FY2023 to FY2027.

  • In this program, startups can apply from any phases, and applicants are required to apply for only one phase that best fits one’s company. Continued implementation in the same phase or other phases will do through the Stage-Gate reviewing process. Programs can be implemented for up to four years within a phase and up to six years across multiple phases.
    Timing of Application and Stage-Gate Scheme

The support for each phase of the program is as follows.

Phase STS phase PCA phase DMP phase
Target
  • ・ Startups who start research and development and production of prototypes, and start marketing in the expected market, but have not yet fully realized a concrete product or service and are testing hypotheses for solving problems through research and development.
  • ・ The standard is that, by the end of this phase, the product or service solves a  specific problem for a specific target customer in the initial market.
  • ・ Startups who aim to generate revenue by selecting appropriate initial and subsequent major markets (mainstream), solve the problems of target customers, and build business models as they further develop applications based on the results of such research and development, etc.
  • ・ The standard is that, by the end of this phase, the product or service solves a problem for specific target customers in the initial market and major markets (mainstream) and meets the requirements for sustaining revenue.
  • ・ Startups who aim to generate large revenues by selecting an appropriate major market (mainstream), solve the problems of the target customers, and build business models as they further develop applications based on the results of such research and development, etc.
  • ・ However, to achieve this, it is necessary to establish a mass production system or conduct verification/demonstration related to business scaling.
  • ・ The standard is that, by the end of this phase, the product or service solves a problem for specific target customers in the major market (mainstream), meets the requirements for starting commercial production, builds a business model that secures sustainable revenue, and is ready for actual mass production with the next round of funding.
Support
  • ・ Research and development of underlying technologies and development of prototypes
  • ・ Implementation of feasibility studies to determine the direction of technology development for commercialization, etc.
  • ・ Development of prototypes and initial production technology
  • ・ Implementation of feasibility studies for the acquisition of major markets
  • ・ Implementation of mass production demonstrations necessary for commercialization by designing, manufacturing, purchasing, introducing, and operating production and inspection equipment, etc., which are essential for research and development related to the establishment and demonstration of mass production technology.
Subsidy rate 2/3 or less 2/3 or less 2/3 or less or 1/2 or less *(3)
Subsidy amount 300 million yen or 500 million yen *(1) 500 million yen or 1 billion yen *(1) 2.5 billion yen
Major requirements
(for details, refer to
the open call guidelines)
  • ・ The total amount of investment from one or more VCs, CVCs, or operating companies*(2) must be at least 1/3 or more of the subsidy-eligible expenses, and the investment must be made within a specified period*(4). (DTSU only.)
  • ・ Among these, the investors with the largest amount of shareholding ratio must be either VCs or CVCs. (DTSU only.)
  • ・ The total amount of investment from one or more VCs, CVCs, or operating companies*(2) must be at least 1/3 or more of the subsidy-eligible expenses, and the investment must be made within a specified period*(4). (DTSU only.)
  • ・ The VCs or CVCs must be included in the shareholder composition, or must be included within the specified period.
  • ・ The total amount of investment from one or more VCs, CVCs, or operating companies*(2) and loans from financial institutions must be at least 1/3 or 1/2 of the subsidy-eligible expenses, and the investment must be made within the specified period*(4). (DTSU only.)
  • ・ The VCs or CVCs must be included in the shareholder composition, or must be included within the specified period.
  • ・ The applicant must submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the partner regarding mass production demonstration, joint research, procurement, sales channel development, etc., for commercialization.
  • *(1): The maximum amount can be increased when the partner in the commercialization partnership is able to submit a letter of intent and a plan for overseas technological demonstrations.
  • *(2): Investments include convertible securities (convertible equity, convertible bonds, convertible notes, etc.)
  • *(3): If the ratio of the total loan amount to the total investment and loan amount required to apply for the program is 1/2 or more, the subsidy rate will be reduced to 1/2 or less. (DTSU only. In GX, within 2/3.)
  • *(4): A period separately determined by NEDO based on the period from three months before the proposal deadline to one month after the date of the decision to adopt.

Adopted projects

　 Company Name Research theme Fiscal year of adoption Phase
A Aeterlink Corp. R&D Cost of develops and provides "WPT" (wireless power transfer) technologies and solutions in Japan and overseas. 2024 PCA
  AgroDesign Studios Accelerate creation of novel agrochemicals using molecularly targeted agrochemical platforms 2023 STS
  AISing Ltd. Research and development of production efficiency-enhancing edge AI solutions for the manufacturing industry 2024 PCA
　 AMI Inc. Social Implementation of the Heart Sound AI Diagnostic Assistance System and Development of Heart Sound Biomarkers 2023 PCA
　 Anaut inc. Integration of surgical support AI technology with next-generation medical devices and global expansion 2023 PCA
　 ARCS Inc. Development of automation systems for assisted reproductive technologies 2023 STS
　 A-SEEDS Co., Ltd. Development of Mass-Production Technology for the Clinical Implementation of Innovative CAR-T Cell Therapy 2023 PCA
　 ASTER Co., Ltd. Demonstration of mass production for social implementation of the ASTERMOTOR drive system 2023 DMP
  AWL, Inc. Development of Fundamental Technology associated with Scalable AI Solutions for On-Site Productivity Improvement 2023 PCA
B BiPSEE Inc. Development of VR Digital Therapeutics for Depression 2023 STS
　 bitBiome, Inc. Technological Enhancements and Business Validation Toward International Development of Microbial Gene Database 2023 PCA
　 Boston Medical Sciences, Inc. Development of a non-invasive colorectal cancer screening system based on deep learning 2023 STS
C CaTe Inc. Development of exercise workload optimization function and cardiac rehabilitation program medical device 2023 STS
  Celaid Therapeutics Inc. R&D Cost of HSC Expansion Platform Technology for Cell and Gene Therapy Companies 2023 STS
　 CellFiber Co., Ltd. GMP manufacturing of cells with CellFiberTM Technology 2023 PCA
　 Cosomil, Inc. Globalization of Single Enzyme Activity-based Liquid Biopsy 2023 STS
  Crafton Biotechnology Inc. Development of a drug discovery system based on fully chemically synthesized mRNA 2023 STS
D digzyme Inc. in silico enzyme libray development 2023 STS
E ElevationSpace Inc. Development of High-Frequency Space Experimentation and Recovery Platform. 2023 STS
　 EX-Fusion Inc. Realization of high-precision, high-speed machining of difficult-to-process materials by high-power laser processing machines 2023 STS
F Fermelanta, Inc. Microbial production of useful compounds by multistep gene introduction system 2023 STS
　 F.MED Co., Ltd. Development of a microsurgery assistance robot and a training system. 2024 STS
　 FuturedMe Inc. Construction of drug development platform of disease-specific degradation by CANDDY 2023 STS
G Galdieria, Co., Ltd. Launching a resource recycling business applying microalgae to precious metal recycling adsorbents. 2023 PCA
　 GramEye Inc. Commercialization development of Gram staining automated AI medical device and overseas demonstration project 2023 PCA
I Instalimb, Inc. Development of a microfactory using AI specialized in prosthetics and orthotics 2023 PCA
  Integral Geometry Science, Inc. Research for mass-production of in-line battery inspection equipment of current density distribution 2023 DMP
K KAICO Ltd.  Research and development of base manufacturing towards commercialization of oral vaccine/feed additives for swine 2023 PCA
L LEBO ROBOTICS INC Automation of Wind Turbine Blade repair robot 2023 PCA
  Letara Ltd. Development of a small hybrid thruster for a small spacecraft 2023 STS
　 LexxPluss, Inc. Development of autonomous heavy transport robots for mixed-flow production in a human coexistence environment. 2023 DMP
　 LinqMed Inc. Development of the drug discovery platform based on 64Cu to expedite the R&D of new-generation drugs 2023 PCA
  Logomix Commercialization of synthetic biology platform 2023 STS
　 LQUOM, Inc. Development of long-distance quantum communication system and market creation 2023 STS
　 Luxonus Inc. Development of flexible-arm photoacoustic imaging system 2023 PCA
M MaRI Co., Ltd. Innovative medical device based on contactless bioinformation measurement using mmwave radar 2023 PCA
  Metroweather Co.,Ltd. Development of small, low-cost Doppler LiDARs and accuracy verification methods for mass production. 2023 PCA
　 MiCAN Technologies, Inc. Development of MylcMAT products using immortalized monocytic cells aMylc 2023 PCA
　 MJOLNIR SPACEWORKS Inc. Development of mass-produced hybrid rocket system 2023 STS
　 Morus Inc. Creation of a Japanese materials industry through mass production and overseas expansion of silkworm biomaterials 2023 STS
N N.B.Medical Inc. Development of an Innovative Anti-Thrombotic Coated Stent for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment 2023 STS
　 Nanofiber Quantum Technologies, Inc. Development of quantum repeater utilizing cavity QED 2023 STS
　 Nature Architects, Inc. Development of innovative EV component design environment utilizing metamaterials 2023 PCA
  Nippon Fiber Corporation Research and development of production technology for recycled coal ash fiber 2023 PCA
O Oishii Farm K.K. Development of plant factory technology and validation of business model to realize sustainable agriculture 2023 DMP
P Pale Blue Inc Establishment of mass production technology for a propulsion system using water as a propellant for artificial satellites. 2023 DMP
Q Quadlytics.Inc. International Expansion of Wearable Epileptic Seizure Detection Systems 2023 STS
R Rapyuta Robotics Company Limited Development to expand the introduction of picking and storage solutions into warehouses 2023 DMP
　 RICOS Co. Ltd. AI-based Thermal-Fluid Simulation Leading to Automated Product Design 2023 STS
S SAKANA Dream Inc. Creation of Delicious Next-Generation Aquaculture Fish Adapted to Global Warming 2023 STS
  Sonire Therapeutics Inc. Research and development for practical application of next-generation focused ultrasound therapy system for refractory cancer 2023 PCA
T T.G.Medical Inc. Commercialization of a device for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke due to atherosclerosis. 2023 STS
　 TeraWatt Technology K.K. Mass production verification of ultra-high energy and ultra-high power density lithium-ion batteries 2023 DMP
　 ThinkCyte K.K.  Demonstration of mass production of an AI-based high-throughput cell analysis and sorting system 2023 DMP
　 TIER IV, Inc. Development of software-embedded electrification modules for autonomous driving 2023 DMP
　 TKG Therapeutics, Inc. R&D of a new immersive solid-phase synthesis method 2023 STS
　 TriOrb Inc. Realization of Variable-Volume and Variable-Type Production through Flexible Fabrication Using AMR 2024 STS
　 Turing inc. Development of an AI Foundation Model for Achieving Fully Autonomous Driving 2024 STS
U United Immunity Co., Ltd. Development of drug delivery capsule that selectively delivers mRNA et al. to immune cells 2023 STS
W WOTA CORP. Development of a mass production-ready "Small-scale, decentralised water recycling system for residential use" 2023 DMP
# 3D Architech, Inc. Development of micro-architected gas diffusion layer for electrolysis with high output and low cost 2023 STS

Adoption status

Adoption Status of DTSU（1st-4th Round) 【67 companies (STS:33 PCA:22 DMP:12)】

  • table and graphs of showing status of adoption/applications (adoption rate) up to the 3rd round and their total research grant
  • pie charts showing Ratio of business areas per phase and Ratio of business areas of research grant per phase

Basic information

Technical field Cross-sectoral proposal-based programs
Project code P23019
Department in charge Startup Support Department (E-MAIL: dtsu@nedo.go.jp )

Last Updated : November 28, 2024