144 Ventures

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From Zero to One: 144 Ventures' innovative form of deep tech support

The driving force that contributes to the three titles of scientist, entrepreneur, and investor.

Investment vehicles like 144 Ventures, which invest in the R&D stage without demanding immediate KPIs, are crucial for society yet rare worldwide. For any company, including startups, four elements are essential: people, products, capital, and information. Among these, securing initial funding to produce results is often the most challenging step.
144 Ventures addresses this challenge by efficiently providing the financial resources and information crucial in the early stages. Unlike traditional investors, 144 Ventures actively supports startups from their inception, focusing on their potential rather than immediate metrics.
This approach recognizes that innovative ideas often need time and support to develop before they can demonstrate conventional measures of success. By providing this early-stage backing, 144 Ventures plays a vital role in nurturing groundbreaking ventures that might otherwise struggle to secure traditional funding.

Differences between grants and ‘144 Ventures'

Grants are typically awarded to proposals that already show promise and have taken shape. However, for deep-tech startups to progress from zero to one, significant funding is often needed even in pre-proof of concept (POC) situations. The POC stage is crucial in this journey from idea to viable product /service. In this context, there are few investment vehicles willing to fund startups at such an early stage, when it's still uncertain whether they will successfully transition from zero to one, without expecting immediate returns. This scarcity of early-stage, high-risk funding presents a significant challenge for innovative deep-tech startups, potentially hindering groundbreaking ideas before they can demonstrate their worth.

Elements required to receive an investment with literally nothing to show for it

The background and hypothesis behind a startup should be captivating, with a presentation that thrills the audience. From an investor's perspective, the key is each of the founder's ability to envision and articulate a unique future that only they can realize. For researchers, the joy of discovering new knowledge is paramount, especially when it involves expertise in a specialized field. This is particularly true in areas that diverge from typical investment projects, where the startup's vision may not align with conventional market projections. Access to these novel domains, combined with the existing literacy of investors and diverse investment portfolios, creates potential for groundbreaking innovations. The synergy between specialized startup knowledge and broad investment experience can lead to the emergence of truly innovative ventures.

144 Ventures' startup support activities

For established startups, pursuing new challenges is crucial, but the focus should be on challenges unique to the company rather than those already addressed by society. In our discussions with management teams, we've been sharing general advice and support where appropriate.
As for specific support, 144 Ventures has organized sector-specific events like Farmentech Forum and Insect Tech Forum to foster horizontal connections within industries. These events are crucial as industry professionals often face similar challenges, and having a forum to share these challenges helps clarify their position in the market.
Moreover, we believe that engaging with individuals who have accumulated knowledge from published research can help startups avoid unnecessary verification processes. This approach allows companies to build upon existing knowledge, focusing their resources on truly innovative pursuits rather than reinventing the wheel.

Notable startups

ProfilePrint made a strong impression on me. The company is intriguing not just for its business model, but also for its approach to employment, including hiring people with disabilities. Their commitment to tackling issues with a diverse team resonates deeply with me, and I felt compelled to support them. Having invested in the project, I really feel like I am part of the team.
Looking to the future, I'm personally fascinated by the prospect of establishing a human life base in space by 2040. With 16 years ahead, I'm taking on new challenges to realize this vision. I'm eager to connect with like-minded individuals who share this ambition, particularly in Southeast Asia. By sharing information, I hope to foster friendly competition and build lasting relationships in the region.