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Key people at Osaka University Venture Capital.
Osaka University Venture Capital was founded in 2014 by Hayami Shimizu (Founder & CEO).
Osaka University Venture Capital (OUVC) fosters new industries by commercializing academic research. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka University, OUVC translates intellectual assets from Japanese universities into market-ready solutions. It invests in and supports innovative startups across life innovation, green innovation, and platform technology, providing strategic financial backing and business development expertise.
Established in 2014, OUVC was founded via a strategic initiative by Osaka University. The core insight recognized university research's vast potential for social and economic value, necessitating a dedicated commercialization mechanism. This institutional founding aimed to translate academic achievements into tangible market solutions, creating new businesses and advancing industry.
OUVC supports university-derived startups, offering capital and guidance to scale innovative solutions. Its long-term vision centers on advancing the practical application of intellectual property from national universities. By actively participating in venture creation, OUVC aims to contribute broadly to industrial revitalization and societal progress through dynamic academic commercialization.
Osaka University Venture Capital was founded in 2014 by Hayami Shimizu (Founder & CEO).
Key people at Osaka University Venture Capital.
Osaka University Venture Capital has 6 tracked investments across 5 companies. The latest tracked deal is $1.9B Series A in Orbital Lasers in March 2026.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 19, 2026 | Orbital Lasers | $1.9B Series A | — | Angel Bridge, JIC Venture Growth Investments, Keio Innovation Initiative, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Mizuho Capital, SKY Perfect JSAT, SMBC Venture Capital, Sparx Asset Management |
| Feb 17, 2026 | A-wave | $3.5M wave - Series B | — | DEEPCORE, Ikeda Senshu Capital, KDDI, MedVenture Partners, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital |
| Oct 7, 2025 | Celaid Therapeutics | $7.0M Series B | — | Japanese Agency For Medical Research And Development, Joyo Capital Partners, Technoscience, Atsushi Usami |
| May 8, 2024 | Celaid Therapeutics | $4.3M Grant / Series A Extension | — | Joyo Capital Partners, Nedo, SBI Investment, Technoscience, Atsushi Usami |
| Dec 15, 2023 | Restore Vision | $13.2M Series A Extension | JIC Venture Growth Investments, Kyoto University Innovation Capital, Osaka University Venture Capital, Remiges Ventures | Japanese Agency For Medical Research And Development, Japan Science And Technology Agency |
| Apr 18, 2022 | EX-Fusion | $1.0M Fusion - Pre-Seed | Masahiro Sameshima | — |
