To reinvigorate and revitalize the local economy, it is necessary to create new businesses and industries. To this end, it is important that local universities, research institutes, companies and industry-supporting institutes jointly work toward new technological development. According to Kyushu’s research and development potential, the number of approved technology licensing organizations (TLOs) makes up 18.2% of Japan’s total, while the number of technological seeds held by approved TLOs makes up 11.9%; Kyushu has a high-level environment for transferring technologies from universities to private-sector companies. As well, the number of joint researches between nine universities and nine technical colleges and private-sector companies in Kyushu has been steadily increasing; in FY2007 it was 1,517, up 2.6 times from FY2001. Kyushu’s Research & Development Potential (Shares in Japan) as of January 2009 ※Reference: Number of accepted key manufacturing technology supporting projects (sophistication of key technology supporting projects) 2(Ratio in Japan:4.2%) (Source)Kyushu Bureau of METI Joint Research Projects by Major National Universities, etc. in Kyushu (Source)Kyushu Bureau of METI For continued development of the economy in Kyushu, it is necessary to create new industries by making the best use of the regions potential. To this end, it is really important to foster cooperation between universities, which are intellectual creation centers, and industrial circles, which try to create business by using universities’ knowledge. Since the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) advocated its “Plan for Creating 1,000 university based start-ups” in 2001, the number of university based start-ups has increased. As of end of March 2007, the number of university based start-ups had reached 1,773 in Japan and 170 in Kyushu (approx. 9.6% of Japan’s total) . By parent bodies, Kyushu Institute of Technology and Kyushu University account for approximately 50% of Kyushu’s total. By industry, the fields of IT and software development make up the largest ratio of around 35% in Kyushu, while the ratio of promising fields such as biotechnology, medical care, welfare, new materials and new manufacturing technologies has been increasing. The Number of University Based Start-ups (Source)Prepared by Kyushu Bureau of METI , using date from “Fundamental Survey on University based start-ups in 2007,” Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The Composition of the Parent Bodies of University Based Start-ups (Source)Prepared by Kyushu Bureau of METI ,using date from “Fundamental Survey on University based start-ups in 2007,” Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The Composition of University Based Start-ups Universities, by field (Source)Prepared by Kyushu Bureau of METI ,using date from “Fundamental Survey on University based start-ups in 2007,” Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.