Ikuo Hiraishi

I am a Tokyo-based serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and professor of entrepreneurship, with over 25 years of experience building, scaling, and investing in startups.

I have co-founded two companies that achieved successful exits. One through an IPO and the other through an acquisition by Yahoo! Japan. Since 2011, I have invested in more than 30 startups across Japan, the US, and Europe.

I help ambitious founders and scale-ups expand internationally, particularly between Japan and the US and Europe. My experience includes market entry strategy, business development, strategic partnerships, fundraising, and connecting founders with the right people and opportunities.

I have hands-on experience helping European startups enter Japan, including Berlin-based Infarm, a former unicorn in vertical farming. My involvement with Infarm included supporting its initial market entry and establishing its Japanese subsidiary. I have also worked with other European technology companies on their expansion into Japan.

Having worked on both sides of the table—as a founder and an investor—I bring a practical, entrepreneurial perspective rather than a traditional consulting approach.

I am particularly passionate about working alongside founders to turn bold ambitions into real businesses, bridging markets, cultures, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.