Tomotaka Goji (UTEC): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Tomotaka Goji is a prominent figure in the Japanese venture capital (VC) landscape, recognized chiefly as the co-founder, managing partner, CEO, and president of The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC). UTEC is one of Japan's leading deep tech investment firms, established to bridge cutting-edge academic research and commercial innovation. Goji's unique background as a former government official and legislator, combined with his deep expertise in science, technology, and business management, has enabled him to spearhead initiatives that foster the growth of university spin-offs and technology startups in Japan and beyond. This article explores key aspects of Tomotaka Goji’s career, his impact on Japan’s venture ecosystem, and his leadership at UTEC, providing insights into why he is a noteworthy figure in the global deep-tech investment space.

1. Early Career and Governmental Influence

Tomotaka Goji began his professional journey as a bureaucrat within Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), formerly the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), after graduating from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law in 1996. During his tenure at METI, he was instrumental in authoring Japan's pivotal "Limited Partnership Act for Venture Capital Investment" enacted in 1998, which laid the foundational legal framework for venture capital fund establishment in Japan. His experience in governmental policymaking equipped him with strategic insights into fostering innovation ecosystems and supporting early-stage technology ventures, which later informed his transition into venture capital.

2. Academic and Professional Education

Goji’s educational background bridges law, business, and data science, providing a multidisciplinary foundation for his career. He completed his MBA at Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001–2003), where he was exposed to the entrepreneurial culture and venture ecosystems of Silicon Valley. Later, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo's School of Engineering (2016–2020), focusing on data science research aimed at modeling and predicting the success of scientific startups based on academic outputs. This blend of education supports Goji’s strategic approach to technology investment and startup assessment.

3. Founding and Leadership of UTEC

In 2004, leveraging his government experience and academic connections, Tomotaka Goji co-founded UTEC, the University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners. UTEC was established to commercialize university research by investing in startups emerging from academic settings, especially in deep-tech areas such as life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and information technology. Under Goji’s leadership, UTEC has raised multiple investment funds totaling more than JPY 130 billion (approximately $1 billion USD), guiding over 100 portfolio companies, including numerous initial public offerings (IPOs) and successful acquisitions. Goji’s hands-on management style emphasizes active involvement in team building, intellectual property strategies, and governance to nurture startups from the seed stage to exit.

4. UTEC’s Investment Focus and Portfolio Impact

UTEC specializes in deep science and technology investments, focusing on startups that apply significant academic research to solve pressing societal issues. Their portfolio reflects diverse sectors including healthcare, robotics, IoT, fintech, AI, and manufacturing. Notably, UTEC has supported groundbreaking companies such as PeptiDream, a peptide-based drug discovery platform with a significant market capitalization, and ACSL, a drone technology pioneer. Their approach uniquely combines scientific rigor with commercial acumen, facilitating international collaborations and expanding startup reach globally.

5. Contribution to Venture Capital Ecosystem in Japan

Tomotaka Goji has been a key figure in revitalizing Japan’s venture capital and startup ecosystem. Through UTEC and his roles in various industry associations, including serving as Chairman of the Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA) from July 2023, Goji has advocated for expanding investment capital, enhancing startup exit strategies, and fostering sustainable industry growth. His vision includes increasing the total market capitalization of Japanese startups to 100 trillion yen by 2027, thereby transforming Japan into a global innovation hub.

6. Academic Research and Data Science in Startup Success Prediction

Goji’s doctoral research at the University of Tokyo focused on assessing the 'startup readiness' of academic researchers, examining factors such as publication quality, patents, institute reputation, and country-level data. This research integrates data science with venture capital strategies, enabling a predictive framework to identify promising academic innovations likely to succeed as startups. This evidence-based approach exemplifies Goji’s commitment to marrying scientific methodology with investment practice.

7. Globalization and Cross-Border Collaboration

The international scope of Goji’s work is reflected in UTEC’s active investments beyond Japan, including in the United States, India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. UTEC has formed strategic partnerships with global venture funds such as Blume Ventures in India, supporting Indian startups focused on deep science and technology. These collaborations facilitate knowledge transfer, market access, and cross-border scaling opportunities for portfolio companies, positioning UTEC and Goji as global players in the deep tech venture capital ecosystem.

8. Role of Kiran Mysore at UTEC

Kiran Mysore is a Principal at UTEC and an AI researcher turned venture capitalist, leading seed and early-stage investments in AI, IT, and healthcare applications. Joining UTEC in 2018, Mysore has been a crucial figure in expanding UTEC’s footprint in India and Southeast Asia, including investments in startups such as Tricog Health, Bugworks Research, and Eureka Robotics. Mysore’s expertise complements Goji’s leadership by reinforcing UTEC’s focus on international deep tech investments and supporting startups that leverage artificial intelligence and scientific innovation.

9. Recent Milestones and Fundraising Achievements

In recent years, under Goji’s stewardship, UTEC has closed increasingly large investment funds, including a $275 million USD fifth fund in 2021, which positioned it as one of Asia’s largest deep tech focused venture firms. In July 2025, UTEC announced the initiation of its sixth fund, surpassing cumulative assets under management of over 100 billion yen, further solidifying its status as a premier deep tech VC in Japan and Asia. These financial milestones underscore UTEC’s growing influence and capacity to support the commercialization of disruptive technologies.

10. Advocacy and Public Engagement

Beyond investment, Goji actively contributes to public discourse on innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy through media appearances, keynote speeches (such as at Startup Nation Korea 2024), and publications. He emphasizes the importance of global perspectives, risk-taking in deep tech investments, and the societal impact of science-driven startups. Goji’s leadership role in JVCA also involves promoting transparency in fund performance reporting and advocating for policy reforms tailored to stimulate and sustain the venture ecosystem in Japan.

Conclusion

Tomotaka Goji stands as a visionary at the intersection of government policy, academic research, and venture capital investment. Through his foundational role at UTEC and leadership in Japan’s venture capital landscape, he has significantly contributed to nurturing a robust ecosystem for scientific innovation and startup growth in Japan and worldwide. His data-driven, globally oriented approach has transformed how deep tech ventures are evaluated and supported, while his advocacy continues to shape policy and industry standards. As the global innovation economy evolves, Goji’s work poses an inspiring example of how integrated expertise can accelerate the journey from academic discovery to market impact. Will his model inspire broader adoption across other regions and sectors, leading to a new era of deep tech-driven economic growth?