Program · Fellowship
Ajinomoto Group Ventures Technical Venture Fellowship
Ajinomoto Group Ventures Technical Venture Fellowship is Ajinomoto Group Ventures's fellowship offering structured entry into corporate venture capital for PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers.
- Application state
- Accepting
Overview
What Ajinomoto Group Ventures Technical Venture Fellowship offers
What Ajinomoto Group Ventures Technical Venture Fellowship is
Ajinomoto Group Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., one of the world's largest food and amino acid science companies. The CVC unit invests in healthcare, ICT, food/wellness, and green technology sectors, with a particular focus on climate solutions and deep tech.
Operational profile
Program status and context
Program status describes the program itself. Application availability and deadlines remain separate.
- Operational status
- Active
- Program type
- Fellowship
- Host organization
- Ajinomoto Group Ventures
- Last reviewed
- May 26, 2026
Terms and economics
Published program terms
- Price
- Free
- Compensation
- Hybrid
Compensation and economics
Compensation is determined based on market rates and the candidate's experience and qualifications, making this one of the few CVC fellowship programs that offers competitive pay rather than a nominal stipend.
Focus and fit
Who the program is for
Program thesis
The Technical Venture Fellowship focuses on deep tech and climate solutions, targeting PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers with strong technical backgrounds. The program aims to identify new investment trends and innovation opportunities in these sectors, leveraging Ajinomoto's expertise in food, healthcare, and technology.
Eligibility
PhD candidate or postdoctoral researcher with strong technical background, preferably in chemistry, engineering, materials science, computing, or related fields. Passion for venture capital and empathy toward the entrepreneurial experience are essential.
Selection approach
Applications are open to PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Interested candidates should email venturing@ajiusa.com with '2025 Technical Venture Fellow' in the subject line.
- Stages
- Seed
- Regions
- United States
- Audience
- Founders · Researchers
- Career stage
- Student · Early Career
Format and cadence
How participation works
- Presence
- Hybrid
- Main location
- Palo Alto, California, United States
- Duration
- 36 weeks
- Cohorts per year
- 1
- Engagement
- Part Time
Delivery model
The program operates in a hybrid model, requiring at least one in-person presence per week in the Palo Alto office.
Participation expectations
The fellowship requires a part-time commitment of at least 16 working hours per week.
Availability and engagement
Application timing and route
- Application state
- Accepting
- Admissions
- Open
- Application materials
- Written Statement · References
Published timeline
The fellowship lasts for nine months, with an annual cohort.
Value and support
What participation may provide
Publicly described support is context, not a guarantee of current delivery or future benefit.
What participants may receive
Nine months of CVC immersion covering deal sourcing, due diligence, scientific market research, and portfolio review. Exposure to Ajinomoto's global corporate network and access to Palo Alto's venture ecosystem.
Common questions
Program details at a glance
Ajinomoto Group Ventures Technical Venture Fellowship is published in Upseed as a fellowship program hosted by Ajinomoto Group Ventures. Upseed treats the Program and its host Organization as separate records so each can have its own status and sources.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
May 26, 2026
Known limits
Terms, deadlines, and application states can change. Confirm current details at the published destination before acting. Upseed does not yet classify every Program destination as official.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official representative of this program or its host.