Universal Materials Incubator

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Universal Materials Incubator is a venture capital firm specializing in investments within the materials, chemical, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences, and manufacturing sectors.

Yoshitaka Gunji

Principal

Wataru Mizutani

Principal

Sayuri Nonaka

Principal

Kazuko Sato

Principal

31 past transactions

EF Polymer

Series B in 2025
EF Polymer is an agricultural company that develops eco-friendly water retention polymers derived from organic waste, including citrus residues, banana peels, and sugar cane bagasse. Its flagship product, Fasal Amrit, absorbs water many times over its weight and releases it to crops over 10-12 days, enabling farmers to reduce irrigation by about 30-40% and fertilizer losses by roughly 10-20%. The polymer is organic, chemical-free, and biodegradable in soil within five to six months. By reducing water and fertilizer costs and supporting crop growth, it offers a sustainable solution for farming in limited irrigation scenarios and helps minimize environmental impact by repurposing waste materials.

Scimplifi

Series B in 2025
Scimplifi is a B2B fulfillment platform offering tailored solutions for sourcing and manufacturing innovative chemistries. Its science-first platform combines in-house expertise with tech-enabled transparency across the supply chain, serving industries like pharmaceuticals, personal care, and agrochemicals.

iMicrobes

Seed Round in 2024
Industrial Microbes designs and builds microbes that produce better chemicals with lower costs and lower carbon emissions. We use greenhouse gases as the raw materials, including biogas, natural gas, and carbon dioxide. We scale our process with global chemical producers.

Allied Carbon Solutions

Series C in 2024
Allied Carbon Solutions is a biotechnology company that produces and sells biosurfactants and livestock feed. Their primary products are biosurfactants, specifically sophorolipid-based emulsifiers, which enhance fat and oil absorption in animal feed, benefiting the livestock and fisheries industries. Additionally, these biosurfactants have versatile applications, such as in cleaning agents, cosmetics, and laundry detergents, offering clients eco-friendly alternatives.

iPEACE223

Seed Round in 2024
iPEACE223 is a technology company specializing in the development of zeolite catalyst processes. Its core innovation lies in extracting propylene from raw biomass materials, offering an efficient and cost-effective solution for chemical product production.

Listie

Seed Round in 2024
Listie is an industrial engineering company specializing in the development, supply, and maintenance of lithium separation equipment and membranes. Its core technology, an ionic conductor, facilitates efficient and selective lithium recovery from diverse sources like used batteries and salt lakes, supporting a sustainable energy system.

Ac-Planta

Series A in 2024
Ac-Planta researches, develops, manufactures, and sells biostimulants and agrochemicals based on acetic acid that enhance plant tolerance to heat, drought, and salinity. The company's product Skeepon is designed to promote plant adaptability to harsh conditions across turf, agriculture, and home gardens. Ac-Planta seeks to leverage advances in plant epigenetics to improve crop resilience and performance, supporting higher yields and quality while helping mitigate desertification. The firm serves agricultural and turf markets with a focus on climate-related stress, aiming to provide sustainable solutions for growers. Founded in 2018, the company is based in Bunkyo, Japan.

CellFiber

Venture Round in 2023
CellFiber Co., Ltd., established in 2015 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the development and sale of cell-laden soft materials. The company focuses on creating plug-and-play bio-manufacturing solutions using its proprietary CellFiber™ technology. This technology is designed to enhance yields and product quality, ensuring stability, predictability, reproducibility, and scalability for cell and gene therapy applications. By providing efficient cell mass production processes, CellFiber supports a wide range of applications from research to clinical use, ultimately lowering costs and development timelines.

EF Polymer

Series A in 2023
EF Polymer is an agricultural company that develops eco-friendly water retention polymers derived from organic waste, including citrus residues, banana peels, and sugar cane bagasse. Its flagship product, Fasal Amrit, absorbs water many times over its weight and releases it to crops over 10-12 days, enabling farmers to reduce irrigation by about 30-40% and fertilizer losses by roughly 10-20%. The polymer is organic, chemical-free, and biodegradable in soil within five to six months. By reducing water and fertilizer costs and supporting crop growth, it offers a sustainable solution for farming in limited irrigation scenarios and helps minimize environmental impact by repurposing waste materials.

Aquafortus

Series A in 2023
Aquafortus specializes in non-thermal crystallization technology aimed at recovering clean water and crystallizing salts from high-salinity brines. The company addresses the treatment needs of various industries, including cooling towers, mining, oil and gas, inland desalination, and flue gas desulfurization from power generation. By significantly reducing energy consumption, Aquafortus enhances the economic viability of liquid transportation, wastewater management, and zero liquid discharge processes. This innovative approach enables clients to lower their operating expenses while effectively managing high-salinity waste.

Citrine Informatics

Venture Round in 2022
Citrine Informatics, Inc. is a software company based in Redwood City, California, with an additional office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded in 2013. It specializes in materials informatics by developing an artificial intelligence platform that aggregates extensive data on materials, chemicals, and devices. This platform leverages machine learning and data science to enhance research and development, manufacturing, and supply chain operations for organizations involved in producing physical products. By streamlining the materials development process, Citrine Informatics aims to facilitate the discovery of new materials and reduce defects early in the research phase, thus improving product growth and design. The company's focus spans various sectors, including energy, aerospace, and electronics.

Tsubame BHB

Series B in 2022
Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of on-site ammonia production systems and catalysts. Founded in 2017, Tsubame focuses on commercializing ammonia synthesis through innovative electride catalyst technology, which allows for flexible production conditions. The company's systems are designed for small-scale plants, addressing critical environmental and food-related challenges while promoting a sustainable society. By enabling on-site ammonia production, Tsubame aims to reduce transportation and storage costs for its clients, contributing to more efficient resource management.

Arzeda

Series B in 2022
Founded in Seattle in 2008, Arzeda specializes in protein design technology. It creates and manufactures proteins and enzymes for pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, polymers, and other advanced applications.

SteraVision

Venture Round in 2021
SteraVision is a company that develops and manufactures optical steering devices designed to enhance existing visual systems. Their core technology, based on light steering device innovation from AIST, enables improved obstacle detection for autonomous driving and robot vision applications.

Boost Biomes

Series A in 2020
Boost Biomes, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing microbiome products for food and agriculture applications. Founded in 2016 and based in South San Francisco, California, the company utilizes a discovery platform that employs high-throughput sequencing, selective enrichment, and advanced informatics to identify multi-microbial products. This innovative approach is designed to create sustainable solutions for improving food production and extending shelf life while effectively managing diseases in high-value crops. By focusing on naturally occurring microbes, Boost Biomes aims to address challenges related to food security and enhance agricultural practices. The company's efforts represent a significant advancement over traditional methods, offering a faster and more cost-effective means of microbial product development.

bitBiome

Series B in 2020
bitBiome, Inc. is a synthetic biology company based in China, founded in November 2018. It focuses on genome analysis of microorganisms through single-cell technology, utilizing its proprietary database of natural microbial sequences, which is the largest of its kind. The company specializes in enzyme discovery and engineering, offering a variety of services including single-cell genomics, database screening, and wet lab evaluations of target sequences. Additionally, bitBiome aims to develop diagnostics and therapeutic solutions by analyzing microorganisms on a cell-by-cell basis, ultimately contributing to advancements in human health.

Tsubame BHB

Seed Round in 2020
Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of on-site ammonia production systems and catalysts. Founded in 2017, Tsubame focuses on commercializing ammonia synthesis through innovative electride catalyst technology, which allows for flexible production conditions. The company's systems are designed for small-scale plants, addressing critical environmental and food-related challenges while promoting a sustainable society. By enabling on-site ammonia production, Tsubame aims to reduce transportation and storage costs for its clients, contributing to more efficient resource management.

Alphatech

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Alphatech Inc. is a food technology company based in Yonezawa, Japan, established in 2018. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing temperature-controlled crushing technology that produces pregelatinized rice flour. This innovative process allows for the milling of grains without the use of water, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in food production. Through its advanced grinding system, Alphatech aims to improve the quality and functionality of rice flour for various applications in the food industry.

Tsubame BHB

Seed Round in 2019
Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of on-site ammonia production systems and catalysts. Founded in 2017, Tsubame focuses on commercializing ammonia synthesis through innovative electride catalyst technology, which allows for flexible production conditions. The company's systems are designed for small-scale plants, addressing critical environmental and food-related challenges while promoting a sustainable society. By enabling on-site ammonia production, Tsubame aims to reduce transportation and storage costs for its clients, contributing to more efficient resource management.

Tiem Factory

Venture Round in 2018
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 2012, Tiem Factory specializes in the research, development, manufacturing, and sale of aerogel under the brand SUFA. The company's primary product is an ultra-light transparent insulation material designed for thermal insulation applications.

micro-AMS

Venture Round in 2018
micro-AMS is an IT firm that develops and provides advanced materials and new manufacturing technologies. The company also manufactures plastic molding products, including photon molding and irradiation-based molding systems that use microwave and near-infrared radiation to process thermoplastic resins, aiming to accelerate plastic product development and reduce manufacturing costs for industries relying on thermoplastic molding.

Advanced Material Technologies

Venture Round in 2018
Advanced Material Technologies is a Japanese company founded in 1992 and headquartered in Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture. It specializes in the manufacturing of equipment for surface processing of various materials, utilizing high vacuum plasma technologies. The company focuses on research and development of high functional thin film deposition equipment, including plasma CVD equipment, which is crucial for enhancing the performance of advanced materials. Advanced Material Technologies develops film formation equipment that imparts specific chemical characteristics through unique surface processing techniques. Its innovations in material design and sputtering technologies contribute to significant improvements in the performance and miniaturization of high-precision sensors, catering to a variety of industrial applications.

Carbon Fiber Recycle Industry

Seed Round in 2018
Carbon Fiber Recycle Industry Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company established in 2006, located in Kani Gun, Japan. The company specializes in carbon fiber recycling services, transforming waste materials into valuable recycled carbon fiber products. It manufactures and sells these products for various applications, including mechanical parts, paper sheets, and sporting goods. In addition to its recycling services, Carbon Fiber Recycle Industry also provides equipment and plants for carbon fiber recycling, supporting clients in their efforts to manage waste materials effectively. The company's innovative processes, which include chemical dissolution and supercritical fluid methods, enable it to produce high-quality recycled fibers at a lower cost, contributing to sustainability in the manufacturing sector.

SoPros

Venture Round in 2018
SoPros is a pioneering company specializing in the cultivation and commercialization of microalgae. They develop innovative technologies for algae production, processing, and distribution, facilitating global trade through import and export channels. By offering comprehensive research on algae-based products, SoPros enables businesses to explore revenue-generating opportunities in this emerging field.

Carbon Fiber Recycle Industry

Venture Round in 2018
Carbon Fiber Recycle Industry Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company established in 2006, located in Kani Gun, Japan. The company specializes in carbon fiber recycling services, transforming waste materials into valuable recycled carbon fiber products. It manufactures and sells these products for various applications, including mechanical parts, paper sheets, and sporting goods. In addition to its recycling services, Carbon Fiber Recycle Industry also provides equipment and plants for carbon fiber recycling, supporting clients in their efforts to manage waste materials effectively. The company's innovative processes, which include chemical dissolution and supercritical fluid methods, enable it to produce high-quality recycled fibers at a lower cost, contributing to sustainability in the manufacturing sector.

Green Earth Institute

Venture Round in 2018
Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd., established in Tokyo, Japan in 2011, specializes in producing carbon-neutral biofuels and green chemicals derived from non-food biomass like plant leaves and stems. Its product portfolio includes vehicle and jet fuels, resins, carbon fibers, feed additives, and other chemicals. The company's core technology, originally developed by RITE, enables efficient and low-cost production of these green products compared to conventional methods. Green Earth Institute operates a research center in Kisarazu, Japan, dedicated to advancing its bioprocessing technology to address global warming and minimize food crop diversion for fuel production.

Arzeda

Series A in 2017
Founded in Seattle in 2008, Arzeda specializes in protein design technology. It creates and manufactures proteins and enzymes for pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, polymers, and other advanced applications.

Tsubame BHB

Funding Round in 2017
Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of on-site ammonia production systems and catalysts. Founded in 2017, Tsubame focuses on commercializing ammonia synthesis through innovative electride catalyst technology, which allows for flexible production conditions. The company's systems are designed for small-scale plants, addressing critical environmental and food-related challenges while promoting a sustainable society. By enabling on-site ammonia production, Tsubame aims to reduce transportation and storage costs for its clients, contributing to more efficient resource management.

Lightnix

Venture Round in 2017
Lightnix Inc., founded in 2002 and headquartered in Nishinomiya, Japan, specializes in manufacturing innovative medical equipment, particularly resin lancet needles for the healthcare sector. The company focuses on developing products that enhance patient comfort during injections, with its flagship product, the pinnix light, designed to resemble a mosquito's proboscis. This unique design allows for the creation of microincisions while minimizing needle exposure, thereby reducing pain associated with traditional injection methods. Lightnix is committed to improving the safety and experience of injection procedures for patients through its advanced medical technologies.

JITSUBO

Venture Round in 2016
JITSUBO aims to be a Peptide Lowest Cost Producer by continuously improving core technologies by incorporating all the latest technologies. JITSUBO company name is derived from "Chiba Jitsubo-san", a family business of Kazuhiro Chiba, a science and technology adviser and co-founder. Chiba Minorusan is a rare medicine that has been contributing to the health of people for over 500 years as a herbal medicine for women. The company named 'JITSUBO' from the desire to provide products that are useful for people's health through peptide drugs for a long time. We aim to be such a great mother-like company that continues to bring the results of technological innovation to the value of superior peptide drugs and continue to produce them in society.

Goryo Chemical

Venture Round in 2016
Goryo Chemical, Inc. is a Japanese company specializing in the development of fluorescent probes and functional dyes for applications in chemical biology and diagnostics. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Sapporo, with an additional office in Tokyo, the company offers a range of products including AcidiFluor, CalFluor, GlycoFluor, and MetalloFluor, among others. These fluorescent probes are designed for cellular analysis, assay, and imaging, enabling selective staining of acidic organelles such as lysosomes and late endosomes. Goryo Chemical also provides bioluminescent probes, labeling services, and custom synthesis, catering to various needs in molecularly-targeted drug and immunoassay applications. The company serves its customers through a network of distributors both domestically and internationally.
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