Techno Network Shikoku Co., Ltd.

Techno Network Shikoku Co., Ltd. (株式会社テクノネットワーク四国), commonly known as Shikoku TLO (四国TLO), is a technology transfer organization based in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. It was established on February 15, 2001, by faculty members from five universities in the Shikoku region: Tokushima University, Kagawa University, Ehime University, Kochi University, and Kochi University of Technology. In April of that year, it was officially recognized as an approved TLO by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The company's core mission is to bridge university research and the private sector. It coordinates technology development, manages and promotes university patents, and supports joint research between academia and industry. Its activities include identifying patentable research, matching it with companies, and facilitating the commercialization of new products. The official website highlights patent information available for corporate use and joint research, as well as examples of products commercialized through Shikoku TLO's coordination. Shikoku TLO is headquartered on the Takamatsu campus of Kagawa University. Its capital is 26.5 million yen, and its shareholders include universities in Shikoku, their faculty members, and the officers and employees of Shikoku TLO itself. The company is private and not listed on any stock exchange. Historically, Shikoku Electric Power Company provided significant support during the early years, dispatching executives and technology transfer associates to the organization. In June 2015, the governance structure was reformed: directors were appointed from Tokushima University, Kagawa University, Ehime University, Kochi University, Naruto University of Education, and from within the company itself, with the representative director chosen from among them. All associates became direct employees of Shikoku TLO and were stationed at each university to work closely with researchers. In June 2018, the company further evolved by appointing its president from within its own ranks for the first time, marking a step toward greater autonomy. Today, Shikoku TLO continues to serve as a bridge between universities, companies, and society, fostering innovation and the practical application of knowledge and technology in the Shikoku region.

Techno Network Shikoku Co., Ltd. was founded on February 15, 2001, by faculty members from five universities in the Shikoku region: Tokushima University, Kagawa University, Ehime University, Kochi University, and Kochi University of Technology. This initiative was driven by the enactment of the 1998 law promoting the transfer of university research results to private businesses, which encouraged the creation of technology transfer organizations (TLOs) across Japan. In April 2001, the company was officially approved as a TLO by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). In its early years, Shikoku Electric Power Company provided substantial support. The company dispatched executives and technology transfer associates to Shikoku TLO, helping to bridge university research and private enterprises in the region. In June 2015, the organization underwent a major governance reform. Directors were appointed from Tokushima University, Kagawa University, Ehime University, Kochi University, Naruto University of Education, and from within Shikoku TLO itself. The representative director was chosen from among these directors, creating a more regionally integrated management structure. All associates became direct employees of Shikoku TLO and were stationed at each university to work closely with researchers. In June 2018, Shikoku TLO reached another milestone by appointing its president from within its own ranks for the first time, signaling a shift toward greater autonomy. The company continues to operate as a bridge between universities, industry, and society, promoting the practical application of research and technology in the Shikoku region.

• Law promoting technology transfer from universities to private businesses enacted in Japan.

• Techno Network Shikoku Co., Ltd. founded by faculty from five Shikoku universities.

• Officially approved as a TLO by MEXT and METI.

• Governance reform: directors appointed from universities and company; associates become direct employees.

• President appointed from within the company for the first time.

A regional technology transfer organization bridging university research and industry in Shikoku, Japan.

• Patent licensing

  Licensing of university-held patents to private companies.

• Joint research coordination

  Facilitating collaborative research between universities and industry.

• Commercialization support

  Supporting the practical application and commercialization of research outcomes.

1. 1四国TLO official websites-tlo.co.jp
2. 2沿革 | 四国TLOs-tlo.co.jp
3. 3会社概要 | 四国TLOs-tlo.co.jp
4. 4企業情報 | 四国TLOs-tlo.co.jp
5. 5Wikidata: Techno Network Shikoku Co., Ltd. (Japan)wikidata.org