Germination Fund I, Managed by Leave a Nest Capital, Invested in ElevationSpace Inc., EX-Fusion Inc., and TearExo Co., Ltd. Marking its Second Cohort of Investments

The Germination Fund I Investment Limited Partnership (hereinafter “Germination Fund I”) managed by Leave a Nest Capital Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Mr. Masahiro Ikegami; hereinafter “Leave a Nest Capital”) marked its second cohort of investments by investing in three companies; ElevationSpace Inc. (Head Office: Sendai City, Japan; CEO: Mr. Ryohei Kobayashi; hereinafter “ElevationSpace”), EX-Fusion Inc. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; CEO: Dr. Kazuki Matsuo; hereinafter “EX-Fusion”), and TearExo Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kobe City, Japan; CEO: Mr. Ryo Horikawa; hereinafter “TearExo”).

ElevationSpace is a spin-off from Tohoku University with the vision to “Create a world where everyone can live in space and elevate your future”. The Company aims to solve problems related to space utilization by building a platform that integrates the entire process from the launch of payloads (cargo to be carried by a satellite) to their demonstration and experimentation in space, and their recovery on the ground.

EX-Fusion is Japan’s sole private company that, with the vision of “Building a better future with fusion power”, is pursuing the research, development, and commercialization of laser fusion as an energy solution that can cope with load fluctuations, decarbonize existing energy sources, and potentially make a significant contribution toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

EX-Fusion Press Release: Japanese Laser Fusion Company, EX-Fusion, Raises $1.8 billion yen as Seed Round with Plans to Advance Laser Fusion Research and Development

TearExo Co., Ltd. is a spin-off from Kobe University that is developing the TearExo method, with the vision of creating “A world where everyone is freed from cancer with just a tear”. The TearExo method is a new cancer detection technique that allows convenient self-administered cancer risk assessment using just a drop of tear. This non-invasive and highly sensitive technology aims to detect cancer using the exosomes found in tears as biomarkers, potentially leading to earlier detection and treatment that could greatly enhance the quality of life for individuals.

The three companies have deep ties with Leave a Nest (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Group CEO: Dr. Yukihiro Maru), being all alumni of TECH PLANTER, a program implemented by it. We believe they are ideal recipients of investments from the Germination Fund I, which specializes in making small investments in seed-stage Japanese venture companies founded by entrepreneurs who are passionate about solving deep issues.

Going forward, Leave a Nest Group will continue to create deep technology that solves deep issues  in frontier areas and contribute to global happiness.

About ElevationSpace

Company Name: ElevationSpace Inc.

Website: https://elevation-space.com/en

Head Office: #401 Aobayama-Garage, Tohoku-University Material Innovation Center, 468-1, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

CEO: Mr. Ryohei Kobayashi

Incorporation: 3 February 2021

About EX-Fusion

Company Name: EX-Fusion Inc.

Website: https://en.ex-fusion.com/

Head Office: Osaka University Techno-alliance Building C C806, Yamadaoka 2-8 Suita, Osaka, Japan

CEO: Dr. Kazuki Matsuo

Incorporation: 1 July 2021

About TearExo

Company Name: TearExo Co., Ltd.

Website: https://tearexo.jp/

Head Office: 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

CEO: Mr. Ryo Horikawa

Incorporation: 21 April 2022