Originally published here.
After nearly two decades at the intersection of technology, corporate innovation, and venture capital, one truth has become increasingly clear: deep tech is inherently global but its connections remain underdeveloped.
The most transformative breakthroughs in AI, quantum computing, robotics, and next-generation infrastructure are emerging across borders: in labs in Cambridge, startups in London, research hubs in Tokyo, and ecosystems spanning the UK, Europe, US and Asia.
Yet despite this global innovation, many deep tech startups struggle to access the partnerships, markets, and capital needed to scale internationally.
That’s why I’ve joined IQ Capital, one of Europe’s leading deep tech VCs, as a Venture Partner. Together, we are building new bridges between Europe and Asia. My mission is threefold:
1. To help Asian corporates and investors engage more deeply with Europe’s thriving deep tech ecosystem
2. To support European founders in accessing the capital, partnerships, and scale opportunities available across Asia—particularly in Japan
3. To empower Japanese and Asian founders to connect with the European deep tech scene and build globally scalable businesses
Why joining forces with IQ Capital makes strategic sense
Having worked with many global VCs, what stands out about IQ Capital was its authenticity. This is a team that lives and breathes deep tech, not because it’s fashionable, but because they truly believe in science, engineering, and long-term transformation.
Joining IQ Capital as a Venture Partner allows me to apply both my deep tech expertise and cross-border experience in a meaningful way.
For anyone in Asia looking to explore Europe’s deep tech frontier—or any European founder looking to expand into Asia. IQ Capital is the ideal partner to begin that journey.
My background: from Sony to global VC
Mycareer began at Sony R&D, where I led new technology and business development initiatives for nearly a decade, including a key assignment with PlayStation US. Working at the intersection of R&D and commercialization taught me how difficult it is —not only to invent something transformative, but to bring it to market and scale it sustainably.
In 2015, I joined Global Brain, one of Japan’s largest venture capital firms. I launched and led the firm’s London office, built a cross-continental team, and became the first Japan-born VC to lead a pan-European investment practice with a 50+ startup portfolio. Over the years, I’ve led or supported investments in AI, cybersecurity, climate tech, food tech, biotech, fintech, insurtech, and frontier technologies. I’ve worked closely with founders, VCs, and corporates across the UK, Europe, the US, Israel, Japan, and Asia.
Through this journey, I developed a clear understanding of both the opportunities and the challenges of building cross-border connectivity in deep tech. Thenext generation of deep tech won’t be built in silos. It will be built through connection: across disciplines, across geographies, and across cultures. That understanding brought me to IQ Capital.
Let’s connect
If you’re a founder, corporate, or investor interested in this mission, I’d love to hear from you.
