Takuro Wakabayashi

Advanced Science & Technology Enterprise Corp. (ASTEC) is an independent Japanese venture capital firm which was established in 2001 as a 'Kabushiki Kaisha' by Takuro Wakabayashi and a group of professors at the University of Tokyo. The idea was to create a very early-stage venture capital firm to provide support to Japanese technology start-ups with innovative products and services. Based in Tokyo, the firm manages the ASTEC Technology Incubation Fund, backed primarily by institutional investors. They also provide services to help Japanese universities manage collaborative research and consortiums and collaborate with Technology Licensing Organizations to help with commercialization efforts.

Jitsubo Co., Ltd. researches, develops, and produces peptides. It operates as a peptide development company that provides solutions to patients using their proprietary technologies for manufacturing and engineering peptides. The firm specializes in peptide synthesis, which enables users to modify amino acid sequence for the creation of physical, chemical, and pharmacological properties. It also engages in development of peptide pharmaceuticals, licensing regarding active ingredient manufacturing technology for peptides, and peptide drug discovery research. The company was founded by Yusuke Kohno and Kazuhiro Chiba in 2000 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Dept Corp. engages in the development of electronic devices. It produces self-assembled microscopial structures and thin-film coatings used by liquid-crystal display manufacturers. The company was founded by Takashi Ueno on August 16, 2002 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

BioMedCore, Inc. provides biotechnology development services. It specializes in the research, development, production, and marketing of liposomal technologies. It also develops treatments for cancer, posterior segment inflammatory diseases, and myocardial reperfusion injury. The company was founded by Yuichiro Satoh and Norio Naruse in December 2005 and is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan.

Advanced Photonics, Inc. is a holding company that designs, develops, and manufactures optical circuit boards. Its products encompass photoelectric conversion modules and optical printed circuit boards. The company was founded by Makotoon Shigematsu on March 15, 2006 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.