KSAC: how Kansai universities are powering Japan’s deeptech future

Japan’s startup landscape has long been centered around Tokyo, but a powerful movement is quietly taking shape in the Kansai region. Anchored by top research universities such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, this ecosystem is emerging as a national—and international—proving ground for deeptech.

We sat down with Tatsuya Yoshida, a representative of the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition  (KSAC), to discuss the distinctive strengths of Kansai’s startup environment and how the organization connects local research with global opportunity.

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Could you start by telling us about your work with KSAC and how the organization came together?

Our organization was formed as a collaborative platform that brings together around 30 universities and research institutions across the Kansai region. Similar university-led startup consortia exist in other parts of Japan, but our structure is unique in that it unites major research universities—particularly Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Kobe University—under one initiative.

Each of these institutions has distinct strengths. Kyoto University, for example, is deeply committed to fundamental research and academic freedom. That creates an ideal environment for the kind of science-based innovation we often call “deeptech.” Osaka University, meanwhile, has a long tradition of industry collaboration, and Kobe University bridges both academic and business communities.

This diversity of approaches gives our platform real depth. It’s rare to find a single organization that includes more than one research-driven university of the calibre of Kyoto or Osaka University; that combination alone sets KSAC apart.

Another distinctive feature is that our administrative office operates outside of the universities themselves, supported in part by the Osaka Business Development Agency. That means we can manage operations more flexibly and coordinate between institutions and companies without being limited by university boundaries.

Our goal is simple but ambitious: to accelerate the creation of science-based startups and help them grow into globally competitive companies.

Why focus specifically on Kansai? What are this region’s particular strengths compared with other parts of Japan?

Kansai has a long history as a center of creativity and enterprise. Economically, it’s second only to the Tokyo area, but culturally it has a very different rhythm. There’s always been a focus on philosophy and academics in the region, which birthed a research-first attitude, not being overly swayed by outside concerns. This lets the science take its time to let fundamental, foundational research develop without cutting corners to meet deadlines or save money.

From a research standpoint, Kansai’s strength lies in its high concentration of national universities with strong scientific foundations. The region produces world-class research in life sciences, material science, and advanced manufacturing.

For example, Kyoto University’s emphasis on fundamental science has created fertile ground for deeptech startups—companies that grow out of solid research rather than short-term market trends. Osaka and Kobe University complement this with their close ties to industry, meaning there’s a strong bridge between research and commercialization.

Beyond universities, Kansai also has a long manufacturing tradition. Areas such as East Osaka have historically been clusters of small, highly specialized factories. That legacy continues to influence today’s startup culture, especially in hardware and engineering-driven fields.

In life sciences, Kansai is recognized nationally as one of Japan’s leading hubs, thanks to the concentration of medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, and research centers. Combined with the manufacturing base, this creates a uniquely well-balanced ecosystem—science, technology, and craftsmanship all coexisting within one region.

And culturally, Kansai has always encouraged experimentation. Companies like Suntory and many firms known as Kansai companies—not all of them, but quite a few—actually originated from university research here because people weren’t afraid to try new things. That entrepreneurial spirit still drives much of what we do.

How does KSAC support startups in translating research into business?

We work to bridge the gap between university laboratories and the market. Often, researchers have groundbreaking ideas but limited exposure to entrepreneurship. Our platform helps them find the right path—whether venture capital, mentors, or corporate collaborators.

We place particular emphasis on understanding the scientific foundation of each startup. Deeptech requires long-term commitment and a solid grasp of the research itself, not just the business side. So our support teams include both academic specialists and business professionals.

Another feature of our approach is cross-institutional collaboration. Since the platform connects multiple universities, startups can access expertise from various fields—for example, chemistry at Kyoto University, robotics at Osaka University, business management at Kobe University, and so on. That kind of cross-pollination often leads to new discoveries and ideas that a single institution alone might not generate.

KSAC is active internationally. How do you approach global expansion?

International expansion is a key pillar of our strategy. We currently operate overseas hubs in New York, San Francisco, and Singapore, with a Boston hub planned for next year. Each hub connects with local startup ecosystems and supports both outbound and inbound collaboration.

For example, when our startups participate in major international events—such as BIO International Convention in Boston—we provide dedicated booths and networking support. We also organize side events with global partners, allowing startups to pitch to investors and collaborators on-site.

What’s important is that these hubs are not just “offices.” We assign people on the ground who actively build networks and maintain relationships with local communities. The aim is to integrate Japan’s university-based innovation ecosystem into the global market in a two-way exchange.

We’ve already seen examples of startups taking advantage of this structure. One of our early success stories established its research base in Japan, next to a partner university, while setting up its management headquarters in the U.S. for easier access to investors and global clients. That kind of hybrid model—research at home, business abroad—is becoming increasingly common among deep-tech startups.

What kind of collaboration do you hope to develop with overseas partners going forward?

We’re eager to connect with partners who share a deep understanding of science and technology. It’s not just about bringing money in; it’s about creating meaningful collaboration.

We’d like to see more co-investment opportunities between Japanese and foreign venture capital firms, especially those familiar with university-based innovation. Collaboration with overseas research institutions is also essential.

In the long term, these networks can help not only Japanese startups expand abroad but also enable foreign founders to build businesses in Japan through our ecosystem. Kansai could serve as a gateway for international deep-tech startups entering the Japanese market.

Our hope is that through these partnerships, we can strengthen Japan’s position as a hub for global innovation—not just Tokyo, but Kansai and beyond.

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Finally, what do you see as the next steps for the Kansai startup ecosystem?

Our main focus now is on execution. Ambitious projects are important, but success depends on how well we can put ideas into practice.

We’ll continue to expand our international hubs and connect them more closely with domestic programs. We also plan to develop acceleration programs in Boston and Singapore, working alongside Japanese and overseas VCs.

Ultimately, the goal is to build an ecosystem where research, industry, and global collaboration all reinforce one another. Kansai has the talent, the history, and the culture for it. Our role is to ensure that all those pieces fit together—and to show the world that innovation from Kansai can compete on a global scale.

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Thank you very much for your time today!

Kansai’s innovation landscape is, in many ways, Japan’s unique foothold in the international startup ecosystem. Combining deep scientific research with practical entrepreneurship, the region’s universities are not just nurturing startups—they’re redefining how research becomes business.

With KSAC at the center, the region’s momentum shows that Japan’s future in global innovation may well be driven not from Tokyo, but from the laboratories and creative communities of Kansai.

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