Green × Global Startup 2024 KICKOFF

Takaaki Umada, FoundX Director, University of Tokyo

After working at Microsoft Japan, he joined the University of Tokyo in 2016. At the University of Tokyo, he launched and operated Hongo Tech Garage, and since 2019 has been engaged in startup support and entrepreneurship education as FoundX director. He provides information through slides, blogs, etc. for startups. His books include ``Paradoxical Startup Thinking,'' ``Successful Entrepreneurs Choose Their Place,'' ``Implementing the Future,'' and ``Raising Resolution.''

Nana Hori, Representative Director of TENSOR ENERGY Co., Ltd.

Joined the renewable energy industry in 2011 as a strategic consultant. He has worked on storage battery, solar power generation, and electric power projects, and participated in the launch of a renewable energy power generation company. He leads the business development team and has built a system that globally handles everything from project origination to development, construction, operation, and management. Tensor Energy Co., Ltd. was founded with the aim of helping the world deliver sustainable energy when and where it is needed. He developed a digital infrastructure for electricity in the carbon-neutral era.

Ferment Station Co., Ltd. Representative Director Rina Sakai

Born in Tokyo. He graduated from International Christian University (ICU). He worked at Fuji Bank (currently Mizuho Bank), Deutsche Securities, etc. He became interested in fermentation technology and enrolled in the Department of Brewing Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, graduating in March 09. In the same year, he established Ferment Station Co., Ltd. His favorite microorganism is Aspergillus oryzae. His favorite fermented drink is beer.

Mr. Yoshiaki Miyazawa, Executive Assistant, Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Co., Ltd.

At an American strategic consulting firm, he engaged in consulting projects ranging from strategy planning to implementation support, including new business development, M&A, sales reform, and medium-term management plan formulation, in the financial, high-tech, telecommunications, infrastructure, and consumer goods industries. After that, he engaged in new business development in overseas and environmental infrastructure fields at a general trading company. Stationed in Central and South America, promotes cultivation of major local companies/influential partners, deepening of relationships, and new business exploration and development. After joining Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support, he was based in Tokyo and led business in the climate change field as an executive assistant. He supports major companies in new business development and startup companies' growth strategies.

WiL Co., Ltd. General Partner and Co-Founder Masanao Matsumoto

Established PIM in 1999, and as CEO directed the joint venture with Yahoo! JAPAN in 2000. In addition to being in charge of strategic investments in the Yahoo! President's Office, he has also served as the general manager of a number of internal new businesses, and since 2011, as CIO, has been responsible for creating new businesses for the company, collaborating with other operating companies, and establishing many JVs. In 2013, based in Silicon Valley and Tokyo, he founded WiL, which invests in and provides business support to venture companies mainly in Japan and the United States, forming partnerships with Japan's leading companies in the fields of finance, manufacturing, advertising, and telecommunications. In addition to acting as a bridge between large Japanese companies and venture companies, he also focuses on creating new businesses by utilizing in-house IP hidden within partner companies, achieving open innovation.

Mr. Akie Iriyama, Professor, Waseda University Graduate School, Waseda University Business School

Graduated from Keio University's Faculty of Economics and completed the master's program at Keio University's Graduate School of Economics. After working at Mitsubishi Research Institute, mainly consulting for automobile manufacturers and domestic and international government agencies, she received a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business in 2008. From the same year, he became an assistant professor at the School of Business at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Current position since 2013. He has published in leading international management journals including Strategic Management Journal and Journal of International Business Studies.

Soracom Co., Ltd. Director, Chief Financial Officer, CFO Tomoko Igarashi

Joined Kokusai Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (currently KDDI Corporation) and worked in the Corporate Sales Department, Finance Department, International Department, Secretary's Office, and IR Office, and since 2009 has been in charge of asset management at KDDI Corporate Pension Fund. In 2017, he became CFO of Soracom Co., Ltd. when Soracom joined the KDDI Group. He passed the U.S. Certified Public Accountant Examination.

Yuko Kanazawa, Executive Assistant, Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Co., Ltd.

Completed master's program at the University of Tokyo. MBA(IESE). After working in PMI at an American strategic consulting firm and a financial institution, he joined an independent VC as a capitalist and led lead investments in health tech startups. Furthermore, as the business manager of a health tech startup, he promoted business expansion and contributed to the exit through M&A to a large company. As a consultant who understands both investor and startup perspectives, after joining Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support, he has been engaged in supporting collaboration between large companies and startups, supporting the establishment of CVCs, and building innovation ecosystems.