EQUES Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Naoki Kishi), an AI startup originating from the University of Tokyo's Matsuo Laboratory, announced on March 19 that it has been selected for the "Physical AI Development Support Program by AWS Japan," provided by Amazon Web Services Japan G.K. (hereinafter "AWS Japan").
Through participation in this program, the company aims to leverage AWS's powerful computing resources and technical support to drive the development of next-generation robot foundation models, including Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, and advanced AI solutions.
This program is an initiative by AWS Japan to support companies and organizations with a corporate presence in Japan that are developing "robot foundation models," such as Vision-Language-Action (VLA), on the AWS platform. It aims to promote the use of AI in robotics by supporting the construction of end-to-end pipelines—from data collection and preprocessing to model training, simulation, and deployment in real-world environments.
Selected companies receive multifaceted support, including AWS credits to cover a portion of development costs, technical assistance from specialists in the physical AI field, participation in robotics and generative AI communities, and Go-to-Market (GTM) support.
Under the mission of "harnessing cutting-edge machine learning technology to accelerate social progress," EQUES has led the social implementation of Large Language Models (LLMs) across various industries through co-development projects and the provision of industry-specific generative AI.
Recently, alongside the evolution of generative AI, there has been rapidly increasing interest in AI that operates autonomously in the physical world, not just in digital spaces. With this selection, EQUES will expand its advanced machine learning expertise and its end-to-end implementation capabilities—spanning from requirement definition to operation—into the new frontier of "Physical AI (Robotics x AI)."
With support from AWS Japan, EQUES intends to overcome challenges related to cost and computing resources in building robot foundation models, transforming technologies born at the forefront of R&D into practical forms that can be utilized in actual business settings.
■ Management Comments (Naoki Kishi, CEO / Issei Sukeda, CTO)
"We are delighted to have been selected for AWS Japan's 'Physical AI Development Support Program.' We are confident that our core approach—'seamlessly connecting research and practice to implement better solutions in society'—will be a powerful asset in the new frontier of Physical AI. By making the most of the extensive infrastructure and technical support provided by this program, we will strive to develop AI technologies that solve complex real-world challenges."
■ ICT Startup League
This support program was launched in FY2023, triggered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Project to Support Exploratory R&D for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
Up to 20 million yen in R&D funding is provided in the form of grants. In terms of hands-on support, the selection committee members stay involved after the selection process to foster growth. For companies highly valued by the committee, members provide continuous support—such as advice on business plans and providing growth opportunities—creating a "cheerleader-style" support system.
2. Discovery & Cultivation
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to promote the business growth of its members. It also works to discover aspiring entrepreneurs to expand the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Functioning like a positive sports league, the program allows startups to learn together and compete to win the funding they truly need (up to 20 million yen). It also provides a space for co-creation where league members can collaborate and expand their businesses through various opportunities, including sessions with selection committee members.
4. Promotion
The league collaborates with the media to broadcast the efforts of its members. By increasing public awareness of these businesses, the program aims to broaden the scope for new matching and opportunities.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
/
EQUES Inc. (Official Site)
/
EQUES Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
/
Original Press Release (Japanese)
💡 Read Next
Behind every news release is a story of immense passion and gritty trial-and-error by startups tackling social issues.
▶︎ Read exclusive interviews with startups on the front lines
For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.
