Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd. aims to support the creation of new technologies and industries, based on intellectual property developed by universities. It was established on November 5, 1998, with the support of interested researchers at Tohoku University, along with individuals at other national universities and colleges of technology in the Tohoku area, including Niigata. On December 4 of the same year, Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd. was approved as an official Technology Licensing Organization (TLO) by both Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under the Law for Promoting University-Industry Technology Transfer.