Akira has built his career in the Japanese B2B technology sector by establishing a US-style investment approach and contributing to the development of the industry. He has invested in numerous Japanese SaaS companies, primarily as a lead investor from the early stage, and has supported their growth as a board member. Akira currently oversees DNX Japan's investment activities. He serves as a board member for Money Forward (TSE 3994), DataX, Andpad, XICA, Kakehashi, UPWARD, Mazrica, Adacotech, Creadits, Techtouch, ROMS, FLUX, Knowledge Work, Alphaus, Zeroboard, HERP, ALP, and Shippio.

Notable past investments include Sansan (TSE 4443), Money Forward (TSE 3994), TeamSpirit (TSE 4397), toBeMarketing (acquired by Fujitsu), UPSIDER (acquired by Mizuho Bank), Hotto Link (TSE 3680), TerraSky (TSE 3915), Synergy Marketing (acquired by Yahoo Japan), 1st Holdings (acquired by Orix), Shanon (TSE 3976), Kabuku (acquired by Futaba Corporation), Beceem Communications (acquired by Broadcom), Smart Signal (acquired by GE Intelligent Platforms), and more.

Prior to joining DNX Ventures in March 2015, he served as Head of Japan at Salesforce Ventures and Globespan Capital Partners. Before earning his MBA at Wharton, he worked at Mitsui & Co. and Fujitsu in Tokyo and Silicon Valley, where he invested in B2B startups in Japan and the US and supported the portfolio companies’ business development initiatives.

In addition to his role as a venture capitalist, he currently serves as an advisor to KKR, Pioneer Corporation, VOREAS HOKKAIDO (professional volleyball team), and the Tokyo University of Science on leadership programs.

Akira holds a BA in Commerce and a Ph.D. in Technology and Innovation Management from Doshisha University, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and an MA in Law from Hitotsubashi University. He also completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School (36th Session) and the Executive Management Program at the University of Tokyo (Term 17). He is the published author of The Corporate Venture Capital Handbook (Chuokeizai-sha).