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- Report Compiled on Results of FY2022 Survey on University-Developed Venture Businesses (Preliminary Report)
Report Compiled on Results of FY2022 Survey on University-Developed Venture Businesses (Preliminary Report)
- Number of such businesses shows record-high growth -
May 16, 2023
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has compiled the Report on the Results of FY2022 Survey on University-Developed Venture Businesses and hereby releases the preliminary report thereof. This FY2022 survey revealed that the number of such venture businesses (VBs) was 3,782 as of October 2022, an increase by 477 from the 3,305 confirmed in FY2021, showing a record-high for both the number of VBs and the number they had increased by.
1. Purpose and background
University-developed VBs are expected to play a leading role in efforts to bring about innovation within the economy and society based on the results of innovative research in universities and other organizations. Through this survey, METI aims to conduct fixed-point observation of the establishment of university-developed VBs from various points of view; examine business environments, demands and other elements; and analyze factors that may contribute to business growth and utilize the results to develop future policies.
2. Summary of the survey results
- Changes in the number of university-developed VBs
The number of university-developed VBs confirmed to be operating in the FY2022 survey was 3,782. This shows an increase by 477 from the 3,305 confirmed in FY2021—a record-high for both the number of businesses and the number they had increased by.
Note: This survey aggregated university-developed VBs that had been established as of the end of October 2022.
For this survey, VBs that fall into one or more of the following five categories are defined as university-developed VBs.
- Research-based VB: A newly established VB with the aim of commercializing patents and new technologies and business methods based on research results achieved at universities.
- Joint-research VB: A VB that conducted joint research with a university within five years of its establishment in order to commercialize the technology and know-how of the founders. This includes those that had no special relationship with the university at the time of establishment.
- Technology-transfer VB: A VB that underwent technology transfer from a university within five years of its establishment in order to maintain and develop an existing business. This includes those that had no special relationship with the university at the time of establishment.
- Student VB: A student VB that has a deep relationship with a university. This applies only to those in which current students are or were involved.
- Relation VB: A VB that has a deep relationship with a university (e.g., those funded by a university).
- Number of newly established university-developed VBs per university
Following on from the FY2021 survey, the University of Tokyo still has the most university-developed VBs, while other universities, such as Kyoto University, Keio University and the University of Tsukuba, have also made significant growth. This shows that many universities are making significant strides in fostering the creation of new VBs.
Note: It should also be noted that the number of VBs is the number that was known as of the survey fiscal year in question, and that the increase from the previous year is not necessarily the number of VBs that were newly established.
- Analysis of management personnel in university-developed VBs
Concerning the final career of management personnel (CEO) in university-developed VBs before they took office as the CEO, "faculty member or researcher at a university or public research institute” marked the highest in number. This shows that in many cases, people from the academia sector are likely to become a management personnel (CEO).
Note: The term “large enterprises” refers to companies that meet the following conditions, and other companies that do not fall in any of the categories below are considered to be SMEs: those having capital of over 300 million yen and over 300 employees in the manufacturing, construction, transport and other sectors; those having capital of over 100 million yen and over 100 employees in the wholesale trade sector; those having capital of over 50 million yen and over 100 employees in the services sector; and those having capital of over 50 million yen and over 50 employees in the retail trade sector.
- Analysis of the performance of human resources with a doctorate degree in university-developed VBs
The ratio of human resources with a doctorate degree among all employees of university-developed VBs by classification of university-developed VBs was higher, in particular, in research-based VBs and joint-research VBs. Moreover, the ratio of such human resources among all employees in university-developed VBs was higher than that among all researchers in ordinary companies. This shows that human resources with a doctorate degree are being actively utilized in university-developed VBs.
Notes:
- Figure “n” in this item shows the number of target companies that were extracted and aggregated if they responded to “Classification” in the questionnaire items.
- The “total no. of employees” of university-developed VBs is the sum of the number of regular employees and that of non-regular employees.
- The data on the researchers in ordinary companies was aggregated based on the data in the Results of FY2022 Survey of Research and Development (Statistics Bureau of Japan).
3. Other information
Division in Charge
Industry-University Collaboration Office, Industrial Science, Technology and Environment Policy Bureau