Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F)

Featured Press Release

[Press Release] Five Researchers Selected for the Second Cohort of the IPPO Science Fellowship

ANRI, an independent venture capital firm based in Minato-ku, Tokyo (Representative Managing Partner: Anri Samata, “ANRI”), and STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F), a general incorporated association based in Yokohama, Kanagawa (Representative Director: Takanori Takebe), are pleased to announce the five researchers selected for the second cohort of their jointly operated grant program for young researchers, IPPO Science Fellowship. The program launched in 2025 as the “Nova Science Fellowship,” with five young researchers selected for the first cohort. In 2026, the program was relaunched under the new name of IPPO Science Fellowship. In addition to providing research funding, the program supports young researchers in taking their research further by creating opportunities to connect with people from different fields and industries and engage with society. For the second cohort, five researchers were selected following a comprehensive evaluation focused primarily on the life sciences, taking into consideration the future potential and originality of their research, their willingness to explore unknown areas, and their approach to collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds. Second Cohort Fellows Mami Kato Affiliation Cellular Interconnective Medical Science, Research Center for…

SelvakumarPrameeta2026/09/30

Featured Press Release Uncategorized

[Press Release] SS-F Selected as an Operating Support Organization for the Pilot Programs of Japan’s Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative

STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F) Selected as an Operating Support Organization for the Pilot Programs of Japan's Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative Supporting Two Key Programs: International Research and Talent Development (Fellowship) STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F), a Japan-based nonprofit organization (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa; Founder & CEO: Takanori Takebe), has been selected as an Operating Support Organization for two pilot programs under the Japanese government's Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative, a national project led by the Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Under this initiative, SS-F will be responsible for supporting the implementation of both the International Research Program and the Talent Development (Fellowship) Program. Leveraging its global network of researchers, universities, research institutions, investors, and industry partners, SS-F will promote international collaborative research, cultivate the next generation of scientific talent, and accelerate the translation of research discoveries into innovation and societal impact. 【About the Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative】 The Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative is a national project launched by the Government of Japan to establish a world-leading innovation ecosystem where researchers, universities, research institutions, startups, companies, investors, and other stakeholders…

TerushitaMasame2026/08/04

News Press Release

[Press Release] ANRI × STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION Launch Second Cohort of Fellowship Program, Rebranded as “IPPO Science Fellowship”

ANRI Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Managing Partner: Anri Samata; hereinafter “ANRI”), a venture capital firm, and STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (Yokohama, Kanagawa; Representative Director: Takanori Takebe; hereinafter “SS-F”) announce the launch of applications for the second cohort of their fellowship program for early-career researchers, newly rebranded as the “IPPO Science Fellowship.” Originally launched in April 2025 as the Nova Science Fellowship, the program has been renewed under a new name and with a fully redesigned website. About the Program The IPPO Science Fellowship supports early-career researchers, primarily in the life sciences, who are pursuing ambitious research with strong potential for societal impact. In addition to financial support, the program provides opportunities to connect with researchers across disciplines, business professionals, and investors through the networks cultivated by ANRI and SS-F. Through these initiatives, the program aims to help researchers accelerate their work while engaging more deeply with society. Official Site: https://ippo-fellowship.jp Our Vision A single step of curiosity can move the world forward. Each day, researchers take small steps in their work. Over time, those steps can become breakthroughs that shape the future.…

SelvakumarPrameeta2026/05/01

Uncategorized

[Press Release]A Co-Creation Research and Development Hub in Yokohama Kannai: “SS-F Lighthouse Lab” is launched

Unlocking Curiosity, Advancing Societal Impact A Co-Creation Research and Development Hub in Yokohama Kannai: “SS-F Lighthouse Lab” is launched A “lighthouse of knowledge” where new research is born through the intersection of individuals beyond existing frameworks YOKOHAMA, Japan, April 17, 2026 — STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (located in Yokohama, Kanagawa; Representative Director: Takanori Takebe; hereafter “SS-F”) announces the opening today of a new research base, “SS-F Lighthouse Lab” (hereafter “the facility”), located on the 6th floor of the BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai Tower. This facility is a new type of research and development hub that generates projects from individual intellectual curiosity. While collaborating with and complementing existing research infrastructure, it aims to build an ecosystem that connects “original ideas” born from the intersection of different fields to social implementation. 1. Background and Purpose: Toward an environment that unlocks researchers’ curiosity and fosters new challenges Universities and public research institutions, which support modern science and technology, have long played a role in deepening specialized knowledge and ensuring reliability under organizational structures built over many years. On the other hand, within highly…

TerushitaMasame2026/04/17

Announcement Events

[Report]Hodaka Kokeguchi Speaks at Venture Café Global Gathering Tokyo 2026

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Hodaka Kokeguchi, Co-Founder of Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F), spoke at the Venture Café Global Gathering held at Toranomon Hills Forum. The theme of the session was “Bridging Science to Impact: A Global Collective Approach.” The session brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and support organizations from diverse backgrounds to discuss, from a global perspective, how cutting-edge research can be translated into real-world impact. Alongside international partners from SRI International, Renaissance Philanthropy, and RI Bio, the panel engaged in a dynamic discussion that crossed boundaries between science and business, academia and startups. It was a highly substantive session in which participants candidly shared the challenges and opportunities they encounter in their respective fields. From SS-F’s core “People-Centric” perspective, Kokeguchi emphasized that what truly matters in connecting research to society is not only institutional design or funding schemes, but focusing on the individuals who take on bold challenges. He highlighted the importance of recognizing each researcher’s aspirations, vision, and determination to cross boundaries, and underscored that supporting them through trust-based networks forms the foundation for sustainable innovation. The…

TerushitaMasame2026/02/27

Announcement Featured

[Announcement] Now Accepting Applications for Japan’s First BiTS Innovative Science Accelerator

Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F) is proud to announce a new partnership with Renaissance Philanthropy and SRI International to deliver the Big-if-True-Science (BiTS) Accelerator in Japan, a program designed to accelerate bold, high-risk scientific ideas with the potential for transformative global impact. Building on Renaissance Philanthropy’s track record in training science leaders inspired by the ARPA-model, BiTS Japan will feature a structured curriculum, one-on-one mentorship from experienced ARPA practitioners, and rigorous iteration on each participant’s program vision. The goal is to equip participants with the mindset, tools, and leadership skills needed to translate ambitious scientific ideas into mission-driven research programs. The BiTS Japan cohort will include up to 15 participants across three focus areas: 　・Climate technologies 　・Biotechnologies 　・Cyber-physical systems As part of this partnership, SS-F will recruit and support up to 5 researchers or innovators with a bioscience/biotechnology background to join the BiTS Program. We encourage researchers and innovators who are passionate about pushing the frontiers of science and pursuing ideas that could meaningfully shape the future to apply. Learn more about the program on the BiTS Website | Applications are…

TerushitaMasame2025/12/24

Featured Press Release

[Press Release] Stellar Science Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network Announce Selection of 10 Outstanding Early-Career Postdocs for Global Challenge

Announcing the Inaugural Cohort of the Japan–U.S. Fellowship Program The Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F, Tokyo, Japan; President: Dr. Takanori Takebe), in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network (CZ Biohub Network, San Francisco, California, USA; led by Dr. Amy Herr), is pleased to announce the selection of the first cohort of fellows for the Global Science Scholars — SS-F & CZ Biohub Network Program (hereafter “the Program”). A total of 10 early-career postdoctoral researchers have been awarded fellowships (4 from Japan to the U.S. and 6 from the U.S. to Japan). The Program provides up to two years of fellowship support, including annual funding of approximately JPY 10 million (USD ~70,000). Fellows will be hosted at leading laboratories in Japan and the United States, where they will pursue cutting-edge research with global impact. Through international exchange, mentorship, and networking opportunities, the fellows will advance research that bridges discovery and real-world applications. This Program is part of initiatives promoting the Cabinet Secretariat’s Global Startup Campus Initiative and aligns with the Cabinet Office Fellowship Program Survey for Strengthening the Startup Ecosystem (Note…

TerushitaMasame2025/10/08

Press Release

[Press Release]Five Fellows Selected for the Inaugural Nova Science Fellowship

SS-F × ANRI launch a new grant program to support the next generation of researchers ANRI Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Partner: Anri Samata, hereafter “ANRI”) and the Stellar Science Foundation (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takunori Takebe, hereafter “SS-F”) are pleased to announce the selection of five inaugural fellows for the newly established Nova Science Fellowship, a grant program designed to support early-career researchers. About the Nova Science Fellowship The Nova Science Fellowship is a new initiative that supports early-career researchers, particularly in the life sciences, who are pursuing ambitious and socially impactful research. Each fellow will receive a research grant of 1 million JPY per year (up to 2 million JPY for a maximum of two years), along with opportunities to engage with researchers, business leaders, and investors through the networks of ANRI and SS-F. Fellows will also be invited to participate in specialized programs that support research communication and outreach. The program aims not only to provide research funding, but also to empower young researchers to rise as new “Novas” by fostering encounters with diverse…

TerushitaMasame2025/09/30

Report

[Event Report] SS-F Editor Connect Program Held on Aug 8 (Tue) – Cell Systems Edtior

The Editor Connect Program is an SS-F initiative that directly links editors of top journals with researchers in the SS-F community. Its aim is to deepen understanding of the publication process and provide opportunities to refine submission strategies and enhance international visibility. In this visit, we welcomed Yuan Hu Allegretti, editor at Cell Systems, to Tokyo last week and held a meetup session with SS-F community researchers and young scientists from their labs, fostering multi-layered exchanges. Going forward, we will continue to create opportunities to expand connections with editors across diverse fields.

TerushitaMasame2025/08/20

Featured

[Event Report] SS-F Pioneer Series Held on July 18 (Fri) – Guest: Professor Yukiko Yamashita (MIT)

The seminar series “Pioneers Host Pioneers (PHP)”, which had been well-received since last year, has now been relaunched as the “SS-F Pioneer Series.” This series invites globally recognized researchers as guests, offering an opportunity to explore their research and career journeys while fostering deeper connections among members of the SS-F community. For this memorable first session, we welcomed Professor Yukiko Yamashita from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The program featured a keynote lecture in the first half, followed by an engaging fireside chat moderated by Dr. Makoto Saito from RIKEN, a member of the SS-F community. Researchers from the SS-F community and young scientists from their labs participated, engaging in lively discussions and meaningful exchanges. Through this series, we will continue to provide opportunities to connect with the frontiers of knowledge and expand networks for collaboration.

TerushitaMasame2025/07/30