Innovation Kyoto 2021 Investment Limited Partnership" ("KYOTO-icap FundⅡ"), managed by Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co.,Ltd. ("Kyoto iCAP") (Headquarters: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Ko Kusumi) as its general partner, has made a new investment in LEP Inc. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka; Representative Director & CEO: Joji Takamoto), a start-up leveraging research outcomes from national universities.

Overview of the investment
LEP is a startup utilizing technologies developed by Professor Kenji Nagai of Osaka University and Professor Taku Demura of Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), and is engaged in the development of self-luminous plants—plants that emit light autonomously without the use of electricity.

Lighting is estimated to account for approximately 15% of global energy consumption and around 5% of global CO₂ emissions, underscoring the need for new lighting solutions that do not rely excessively on electricity. Through the widespread adoption of self-luminous plants, LEP aims to introduce a new lighting culture that is less dependent on electricity-based illumination, while delivering healing, well-being, and an emotionally resonant form of light rooted in the natural fluctuations of living organisms—light that people can grow and cherish together with plants.

LEP possesses the following core technologies: 1.Genetic engineering technology for introducing multiple genes required for bioluminescence into plants; 2.Technology to enhance luminescence intensity; and 3.Technology to control luminescent color. These technologies enable a wide variety of plant species—including cut flowers, potted ornamental plants, street trees, and greenery used for urban landscaping—to emit light at world-leading brightness levels and in multiple colors (up to 20 colors).

LEP’s self-luminous plants have already demonstrated strong potential for new market creation, attracting significant attention both domestically and internationally through exhibitions such as the “Self-Luminous Plant Tea Room Space” showcased at Expo 2025. With this funding, LEP will accelerate recruitment to support business expansion, advance the development of new varieties of self-luminous plants, and launch exhibition services utilizing these plants.

Representative Director & CEO Joji Takamoto previously engaged in entrepreneurial activities through Kyoto iCAP’s part-time Entrepreneur-in-Residence program (ECC-iCAP).

Kyoto iCAP expects LEP’s technology to make a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and to establish a new lifestyle that brings inspiration and healing to everyday life. In collaboration with Kyoto Capital Partners Co., Ltd., Senshu Ikeda Capital Co., Ltd., MIRAIDOOR Inc., and Plug and Play Japan K.K., Kyoto iCAP invested JPY 80m as part of a total funding round of JPY 160m.

Overview ofLEPInc.
Establishment : September 2023
Business Description: Development of next-generation light sources, LEP (Light Emitting Plants)
Head office: Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka
Representative Director: Joji Takamoto
HP : https://www.start-lep.jp/

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.(Kyoto-iCAP):
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyoto University, KYOTO-iCAP provides investment and other business support to companies that utilize research results generated by Kyoto University and other national universities. KYOTO-iCAP currently operates the Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-iCAP FundⅠ") (established in January 2016) with a total value of 16 billion yen and the KYOTO-iCAP FundⅡ (established in January 2021) with a total value of 18.1 billion yen. The KYOTO-iCAP FundⅠ has a maturity of up to 20 years, and the KYOTO-iCAP FundⅡ has a maturity of up to 17 years, making it possible to provide long-term support for the practical application of research results from Kyoto University, which has strengths in basic research. In addition, KYOTO-iCAP FundⅡ will invest a portion of the funds in ventures originating from national universities other than Kyoto University.

Contact information for inquiries
Kyoto University Innovation Capital, Co. Ltd.
36-1 Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8317, Japan
Osami Kono, Senior Officer, Business Development Department
TEL: 075-753-7588 FAX: 075-753-7592
E-mail：info@kyoto-unicap.co.jp