Relic Inc., a Japanese business development company, has decided to invest in LABTECHS Inc. through the Toyama Co-Accel Fund (T-CAF). Announced on November 11, 2026, the decision marks the fund's first investment. LABTECHS develops technologies that speed up sterility and bacterial testing for medical and industrial applications.
Investment and fund details
Relic manages T-CAF as its general partner and will provide funding and business development support. The fund completed its first closing on June 30, 2026, with The Hokuriku Bank, Ltd. as its lead limited partner. It aims to invest in approximately 25 companies over five years, focusing on university research from Japan's Hokuriku region.
University research origins
Founded in September 2021 by Professor Hideki Niimi, LABTECHS is the University of Toyama's first university-originated venture. The company is based in Toyama City, Japan. Niimi serves as its representative director, drawing on his research in clinical laboratory medicine.
Faster bacterial testing
LABTECHS began selling its Decontami-Tech rapid sterility testing kit in July 2026. The kit uses nucleic acid amplification technology to detect and quantify bacteria and fungi. The company is also developing new reagents designed to shorten bacterial testing times without major changes to existing methods.
The reagent development involves Kyoei Sangyo Co., Ltd. and the University of Toyama under Japan's government-backed Go-Tech program. Relic plans to help LABTECHS establish mass production, develop new applications, and expand partnerships with pharmaceutical and regenerative medicine companies. Additional support will cover sales channels, organizational development, and future fundraising.