Youth Innovation EXPO (Global Track)

Pre Contest

Professor, Waseda Business School (Graduate School of Business and Finance), Waseda University

Akie Iriyama received his bachelor's degree from Keio University and completed a master's degree in economics at Keio University's Graduate School. He began his career at Mitsubishi Research Institute, where he was engaged in consulting work. In 2008, he earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh (USA).

Pre Contest

President, Headline Inc.
Chairman, Peace Communication Foundation (General Incorporated Foundation)

Koji Ichiki graduated from Waseda University Senior High School and earned his degree in architecture from the School of Science and Engineering at Waseda University. He is a licensed first-class architect and currently serves as President and CEO of Headline Inc. He is also the Chairman of the Peace Communication Foundation, a Visiting Professor at the Research Organization for Open Innovation & Collaboration at Waseda University, Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Scientific Communication, Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of International Public Policy at Osaka University, and Visiting Professor at Shukutoku University.

Final Contest

Co-founder and Executive Advisor, Loftwork Inc.　President & CEO, Q0 Inc.　Chairperson of the Board, Hidakuma Inc.

Chiaki Hayashi holds a Bachelor's degree from the School of Commerce at Waseda University and a Master's degree in Journalism from Boston University. After working at Kao Corporation, she co-founded Loftwork Inc. in 2000, where she served as President and later as Chairperson. In 2022, she established Q0 Inc., where she currently serves as President and CEO.

Final Contest

Co-CEO, EMURGO Middle East & Africa

In October 2021, Shogo Ishida launched a $100 million investment vehicle with the mission of expanding the startup ecosystem in Africa and promoting economic identity for one billion people. Since then, he has led investments in 85 startups, accelerated 20 companies, and incubated 3 ventures—primarily across the African continent.

Europe and North America Contest

 Director of Global Brain

Dr. Hiroki Takai leverages his extensive experience as both a researcher and investor to support the growth of cutting-edge deep tech and life science innovations. Having undergone artificial valve transplant surgery as a child, he was deeply inspired by the potential of medical technology. This personal experience shaped his lifelong mission: to drive innovations that will have a lasting impact for centuries to come.

After earning his PhD in brain tumor research, Dr. Takai conducted further studies at Harvard Medical School before joining Eli Lilly, where he gained comprehensive experience in the entire drug development process through clinical research. Seeking to bridge science and business, he later earned an MBA from London Business School, equipping himself with a unique dual perspective.

Currently, as a Partner at Global Brain, Dr. Takai invests in promising deep tech and life science startups worldwide, serving as a crucial link between academia and industry.

Europe and North America Contest

Director of Warwick Innovations

With over 30 years of business experience, Dr Tim Hart is a seasoned entrepreneur and an innovation consultant. Having founded multiple startups himself, he possesses deep expertise in fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and scaling ventures. His extensive network spans both private and government sectors, enabling him to bridge critical connections for emerging businesses.

As an innovation consultant, Dr Hart has played a pivotal role in running acceleration programmes and judging competitions across multiple countries. His experience as a mentor is equally extensive, guiding entrepreneurs through the challenges of transforming ideas into successful enterprises.

Currently serving as a Director at a university Technology Licensing Office (TLO), Dr Hart is dedicated to commercialising university-driven innovations and building relationships with investors to bring groundbreaking research to market. His expertise in navigating the intersection of academia, business, and investment makes him a key figure in the global innovation ecosystem.

Europe and North America Contest

CEO of Biospire UK Limited

With over 25 years of experience in life sciences and materials science, Dr. Masashi Matsunaga has dedicated his career to bridging Japanese and British innovation. He has played a pivotal role in connecting startups in the UK and Europe with Japan’s large corporations through open innovation initiatives, facilitating projects and business acquisitions.
Dr. Matsunaga is currently focused on supporting the globalisation of Japanese startups, leading initiatives such as soft landing programmes in the UK, designed to help Japanese companies expand successfully into international markets.
Additionally, Dr. Matsunaga holds director roles in innovative ventures, including a Cambridge University spin-off in regenerative medicine and a lymphatic regeneration medical technology venture in the UK, where he is leveraging Japanese technology to develop cutting-edge treatments. His expertise spans both scientific research and commercialisation, making him a key figure in driving the international growth of life science and medical technology ventures.

Asia Contest

Managing Director, Hokkaido Government Representative Office

Okabe has worked for around 20 years in Hokkaido Government in Japan. After being dispatched to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has served as a second secretary of Japanese Embassy in Canada for three years from 2013. He was appointed Managing Director of Hokkaido Government representative Office in Singapore in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Hokkaido University.

Asia Contest

Born in Singapore, 1958. Currently (Dec 2024, age 66) retired from full-time occupation. 

Awarded Singapore Government Scholarship and Japan Mombusho Scholarship for  undergraduate studies in Japan (1977 to 1982). Graduated from Yokohama National University  in March 1982, major in Naval Architecture. 

Served bond with the Government in the Ministry of Defense. Subsequent career path in private  sector was closely related to Japan. 

Since return from studies in Japan, have been actively involved in voluntary activities to promote  academic and cultural exchanges between Singapore and Japan. 

Currently, 

Board Member of the Japanese School Singapore（シンガポール日本人学校運営理事会 理事） (since 2012) and The Japanese Supplementary School （補習授業校委員会委員） (since 2019). 

President of Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association (茶道裏千家淡交会シンガ ポール協会) (since 2023), a prestigious Japanese Tea Ceremony association. The association  was awarded “Foreign Minister of Japan’s Commendation (日本外務大臣表彰)” in 2022. 

Extra-ordinary Member of Japanese Association.  

Asia Contest

Managing Director at Synapto Ventures, Principal at Gold Nest Capital

Dr. Linh Nguyen has worked on company spin-outs, strategic development, fundraising and international expansions. As the Principal of Gold Nest Capital, she sources and evaluates investment proposals within the life science industry, covering various fields within life sciences such as therapeutics, research tools, medical devices, digital health, AgriTech, advanced manufacturing and green energy.

Currently Managing Director of Synapto Ventures, Dr. Nguyen's dedicated to connecting innovative life science and healthcare companies with the right sources of funding, creating links and connections between the innovative ecosystem and commercialization partners.

Pre Contest

Manager, CVC Division, SBI Investment Co., Ltd.

Yasunori Saito began his career at Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. in April 2016, where he worked in the Health & Crop Sciences Research Laboratory and the International Agrochemicals Division. There, he was engaged in R&D and marketing of agrochemicals for both domestic and international markets.

In April 2024, he joined SBI Investment Co., Ltd., where he now serves as a venture capitalist in the Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Division. Drawing on his background as a Ph.D. holder, corporate researcher, and his experience in international marketing, he focuses primarily on investments in deep tech, clean tech, climate tech, food tech, agri tech, biotech, and material science, working across multiple CVC platforms.

He has held research positions as a JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Research Fellow and as a Visiting Researcher at the University of California, Davis. He earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Science from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in March 2016.

Pre Contest

General Manager, Sales Department I, Shibuya Scramble Square Co., Ltd.
Executive Director, SHIBUYA QWS
Chairperson, SHIBUYA QWS Innovation Council

After joining Tokyu Corporation in 2001, he was assigned to the Finance Department, where he was responsible for corporate finance operations. In 2010, he was seconded to Tokyu Department Store Co., Ltd., where he continued to work in finance. In 2014, he returned to Tokyu Corporation and joined the Urban Development Headquarters, Shibuya Development Department, where he served as Project Manager for the Shibuya Scramble Square development, leading its planning and development.

Pre Contest

Visiting Professor, Waseda Business School
Head of Polygon Magic Group / CAPS Group

After graduating from the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Saitama University and the School of Nursing at St. Luke’s International University, he completed a graduate program at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology (K.I.T.) Toranomon Graduate School. He began his career at SECOM, where he was involved in group business strategy. He then participated in the founding of several companies, including Digital Hollywood, IMJ, DigitalScape, and Polygon Magic. After serving as CEO of a U.S.-based educational institution, he founded Future Institute in 1999.

Pre Contest

General Manager, Business Design Department, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd.
Investment Partner, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital Co., Ltd.

Born in Tokyo, he graduated from the School of Law at Waseda University in 1990. After participating in a group-wide business process reform project, he held roles in sales promotion and corporate sales divisions before assuming his current position in 2016.

Final Contest

Founder, Corundum Group
CEO, Corundum Co., Ltd.

Yasushi Yamamoto is committed to identifying and investing in groundbreaking discoveries that have the power to transform society, working in collaboration with researchers, entrepreneurs, and corporations around the world.After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Kyoto University, he held key positions in the life sciences sector at Sumitomo Corporation. His extensive international experience—in Côte d’Ivoire, France, Australia, and other locations—has enabled him to cultivate a global perspective and strong professional network.Currently, he oversees four innovation hubs that form the core of the Corundum Group’s global efforts:Corundum Open Innovation (Israel) – Operates two venture capital funds focused on deep tech and life sciences.Corundum Neuroscience (Israel) – A cutting-edge innovation center dedicated to neuroscience.Corundum Systems Biology (Japan & Luxembourg) – Promotes advanced research in areas such as gut microbiota, multi-omics, and Deep Phenotype × AI.Corundum Convergence Institute (Boston, USA) – A U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting the convergence of science, technology, and business to drive the future of innovation.

Final Contest

After completing a master’s degree in condensed matter physics, he joined Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. in 2012. There, he was engaged in the design and development of industrial equipment, plant commissioning, and capital investment projects. Following his MBA studies abroad, he joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2022.