Presenting as a Finalist at qcp Startup Pitch 2026

Gel Coat Biomaterials, Inc. will present as one of six finalists at qcp Startup Pitch 2026, to be held at Tokyo Innovation Base in Chiyoda, Tokyo, on November 12, 2026.

At the event, we will present the development and commercialization of Gel Coat™, our biomolecule stabilization technology based on proprietary cell membrane-mimicking hydrogel technology, and share our efforts toward its practical application and social implementation.

Gel Coat™ is designed to improve the storage stability of biomolecules such as enzymes and proteins. To date, we have been exploring its potential to improve stability and ease storage requirements for biomolecules that have traditionally required low-temperature conditions.

We are currently advancing potential applications in areas including biopharmaceuticals, diagnostic reagents, and enzyme formulations. Our technology may contribute to reducing dependence on refrigerated and frozen cold-chain logistics, lowering transportation and storage costs, and supporting more stable access to pharmaceuticals and vaccines in regions where reliable cold-chain infrastructure remains a challenge.

Through our presentation at qcp Startup Pitch 2026, Gel Coat Biomaterials, Inc. aims to expand connections with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, food-related companies, research institutions, investors, and corporate partners, while creating new opportunities for technology evaluation, joint research and development, licensing, and business collaboration involving Gel Coat™.

As one of the finalists, we also aim to communicate the competitive advantages, social value, and growth potential of our technology, while further accelerating its practical application and business development in Japan and internationally.

qcp Startup Pitch 2026 is a startup pitch competition jointly organized by Tokyo University of Science Innovation Capital Management Co., Ltd., Tokyo University of Science, and Shinjuku City. The event is associated with quantum cross point (qcp), a Tokyo Metropolitan Government-certified incubation facility.

The competition aims to identify and support startups that are tackling social challenges and creating new value through science and technology.

For this year’s competition, six finalists were selected from a total of 56 applicants through a screening process. At the final event, each finalist will present its technology and business, with evaluation focused on factors such as originality, growth potential, and the feasibility of social implementation.

The final event will include pitch presentations and Q&A sessions by the six finalists. Startup exhibitions, short pitches by participants in the TUSIDE Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (TUSIDE EAP), and networking opportunities for speakers and attendees are also scheduled.

The event is expected to bring together entrepreneurs, startups, corporations, financial institutions, investors, government organizations, and other startup-support stakeholders, creating opportunities for new business partnerships and collaboration.

■ Event Overview

・Event: qcp Startup Pitch 2026

・Date: November 12, 2026

・Time: 1:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

・Venue: Tokyo Innovation Base, Chiyoda, Tokyo

・Finalists: 6 companies selected from 56 applicants

・Final Round: Pitch presentations and Q&A sessions by the six finalists

・Grand Prize: JPY 500,000

■ About qcp Startup Pitch 2026

qcp Startup Pitch 2026 is a pitch competition for startups developing businesses related to science and technology.

Finalists are evaluated from perspectives including the competitive advantage and feasibility of their technology or business model, the value of their solution in addressing social challenges, and their growth potential based on market needs and market size.

The winner will receive a JPY 500,000 cash prize, along with additional support designed to accelerate business growth, including access to the quantum cross point incubation facility.

[Grand Prize Winner] Awarded the Grand Prize at "Biotech Grand Prix 2026"

We are pleased to announce that Gel Coat Biomaterials, Inc. was awarded the Grand Prize at the "Biotech Grand Prix 2026" held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Center of Garage (Sumida-ku, Tokyo).

The "Biotech Grand Prix" is a pitch contest held as part of TECH PLANTER, organized by Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. It is a program that aims for the social implementation of technological seeds in fields such as biotechnology, healthcare, medicine, drug discovery, medical devices, and research tools, supporting collaboration and commercialization between researchers/startups and partner companies.

On the day of the event, 12 finalist teams in the biotech field, selected from 341 teams that applied to TECH PLANTER 2026, gave presentations. Among them, Gel Coat Biomaterials, Inc. took the stage under the theme "Protect with Water: Stabilization of Biopharmaceuticals."

We are working to improve storage stability of biomolecules, including enzymes and proteins, etc. utilizing our proprietary cell membrane-mimicking hydrogel technology.

In this pitch, we introduced our biomolecule stabilization technology utilizing Gel Coat™, along with its potential applications for biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and enzyme preparations. In particular, we presented its potential to reduce reliance on cold chains that require refrigeration and freezing, lower transportation and storage costs, and solve the challenge of vaccine delivery to low- and middle-income regions globally.

This Grand Prize was selected through screening by 9 partner companies. In addition, we also won first place in the general voting by partner company attendees (excluding the judges) and the other finalist teams.

We take this Grand Prize award as a testament to the novelty and feasibility of our technology, as well as the expectations for our future business development. Furthermore, the Grand Prize includes a cash prize of 300,000 yen and the right to receive a business investment of 5 million yen.

Moving forward, we will further accelerate the practical application and commercialization of Gel Coat™ through technical evaluations, joint research and development, and business alliances with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, food-related companies, and research institutions.

■ Event Overview

・Event Name: Biotech Grand Prix 2026

・Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

・Venue: Center of Garage (1-16-3 Yokokawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo)

・Organizer: Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

・Presenters: Presentation screening by 12 finalist teams

・Award: Grand Prize

■ About Biotech Grand Prix

Biotech is a field where technologies gather to "solve social issues using mechanisms that support life phenomena." Today, as human activities extensively cover the Earth, we cannot sustain this society unless we more deeply understand and effectively utilize the power of living organisms. Among the proteins, sugars, lipids, and countless other molecules produced by organisms, many can be utilized as functional materials, medicines, catalysts, energy resources, and more. To draw out such potential and connect it to industry, it is necessary to overcome barriers such as stable performance, mass production, and cost reduction, tailoring them into products and services that provide value to society.

In this field, we aim to build the foundation of the next society by establishing technologies and businesses that solve social issues utilizing the functions and properties that support life.

■ About TECH PLANTER

TECH PLANTER is Asia's largest deep-tech venture ecosystem that solves unresolved "deep issues" with "deep tech," an aggregation of science and technology. Centered around venture companies and researchers aspiring to start businesses, it is a deep-tech ecosystem where all players aiming to solve social issues—major corporations, local factories, mid-sized and small-to-medium enterprises, as well as experts like venture capitalists, lawyers, patent attorneys, accountants, judicial scriveners, and certified social insurance labor consultants, along with research support institutions and local governments—participate with "passion" transcending national borders.

Exhibiting at Blue Ocean EXPO @Suruga Bay

We will exhibit at “Blue Ocean EXPO @ Suruga Bay” at Shimizu Marine Terminal in Shizuoka on October 22 and 23, 2026.

“Blue Ocean EXPO” is a marine-related exhibition organized by the Marine Open Innovation Institute as a part of “BLUE ECONOMY EXPO”. The event brings together companies, research institutions, and other organizations involved in the marine sector to showcase technologies and services that can contribute to the development of marine industries and new business collaboration.

At the exhibition, we will introduce our proprietary surface coating technology based on nanoparticle hydrogel technology.

Our coating technology is designed to form a layer of water molecules on material surfaces, helping to prevent the initial adhesion of bacteria and other microorganisms. In marine environments, biological fouling on underwater equipment, cameras, and sensors can create challenges for performance and maintenance, and we are advancing the application of our technology to address these issues.

We aim to create opportunities for technology evaluation, field testing using actual equipment, and joint development with companies and research institutions, focusing on applications where performance can be assessed over a relatively short period.

We welcome companies and research institutions facing challenges related to biological fouling and maintenance of equipment in marine environments. Visit our booth (P-3) for discussion.

■ Event Overview

・Event: Blue Ocean EXPO @Suruga Bay

・Dates: October 22–23, 2026

・Venue: Shimizu Marine Terminal

・Organizer: Marine Open Innovation Institute

・GCB Booth: P-3