Takashi K. - University Professor (Contract)

Go to Website

Kyotanabe, Japan

Experience

Jul 2025 - Present

4 months

University Professor (Contract)

Shinshu University

Promoted the development of university-based startups specializing in Deep Tech domains to advance next-generation innovation and address societal challenges through collaboration with local industries and communities
Supported the identification, maturation, and commercialization of Deep Tech research seeds in partnership with regional companies, municipalities, and academic institutions
Led research activities, public communication, and stakeholder engagement within a nationwide collaborative network focused on Deep Tech entrepreneurship
Conducted market and patent analysis, gathered intelligence on government and private funding programs, and handled contract management and human resource development initiatives related to Deep Tech ventures
Provided comprehensive operational and strategic support to accelerate the social deployment of advanced research outcomes, contributing to the formation of a resilient and regionally rooted Deep Tech innovation ecosystem
Disseminated information on trends in overseas startup markets
Utilized generative AI to support client-oriented market research and proposal development, managing projects and submitting deliverables as required

Jul 2023 - Present

2 years 4 months

Representative Partner and Founder

TeeEs LLC

Acquired major Japanese enterprises as clients and facilitated new business development through open innovation with startups
Supported the market entry of foreign startups into Japan
Conducted marketing activities in the Japanese market on behalf of overseas startup support organizations
Brokered M&A deals for business succession, targeting senior executives
Disseminated information on trends in overseas startup markets
Utilized generative AI to support client-oriented market research and proposal development, managing projects and submitting deliverables as required
Undertook multiple AI annotation, labeling, and quality review projects involving Japanese-language content, leveraging native-level linguistic proficiency and advanced writing skills to ensure high data accuracy and consistency, using platforms such as Outlier and Labelbox

Jan 2019 - Mar 2023

4 years 3 months

San Francisco, United States

Partner and US Office Representative

Global Brain USA Corporation

Developed and executed strategies as a US office representative of a venture capital firm
Managed sourcing of M&A candidate companies in line with the mid-term business plans of the fund's LPs
Regularly conversed with C-Level executives at LPs to report on CVC activities and discuss yearly and quarterly plans
Recorded 7 investment executions
Succeeded in 1 IPO (NASDAQ) and 3 M&As, achieving a return of 3.6 times the original investment amount

Feb 2017 - Jan 2019

2 years

Japan

Partner in Charge of Ad Technology

Global Brain Corporation

Managed Series A stage venture capital investing as part of Global Brain, an independent VC in Japan
Managed sourcing of M&A candidate companies in line with the mid-term business plans of the fund's LPs
Regularly conversed with C-Level executives at LPs to report on CVC activities and discuss yearly and quarterly plans
Supported the planning and execution of LP’s open innovation program
Focus areas: IoT, AI, e-Commerce, Ad Tech, Consumer Media, and related IT
Succeeded in 1 IPO and 2 M&As, achieving a return of 3.4 times the original investment amount

Oct 2013 - Jan 2017

3 years 4 months

Japan

Venture Partner

Global Brain Corporation

Managed Series A stage venture capital investing as part of Global Brain, an independent VC in Japan
Managed sourcing of M&A candidate companies in line with the mid-term business plans of the fund's LPs
Regularly conversed with C-Level executives at LPs to report on CVC activities and discuss yearly and quarterly plans
Supported the planning and execution of LP’s open innovation program
Focus areas: IoT, AI, e-Commerce, Ad Tech, Consumer Media, and related IT

Mar 2012 - Oct 2013

1 year 8 months

Japan

On-site

Marketing Senior Manager

TripAdvisor Japan

Developed, planned, and managed all marketing strategy at TripAdvisor in Japan for on-site B2C and B2B marketing to hotels, restaurants, and attractions
Responsible for KPI setting and performance monitoring
Coordinated with related teams to implement action plans to improve performance
Managed a marketing team of 5 staff
Improved bounce rate on the online site from 45% to 40% through traffic analysis
Conducted CRM activities for hotels and acquired 800 new registrations at half the internal benchmark cost
Developed an online advertisement campaign scheme to generate an incremental 80K USD of revenue per month

Jul 2009 - Feb 2011

1 year 8 months

Japan

Web Store Manager

Lenovo Japan

Developed, planned, and managed content and merchandising at Lenovo Web Store
Managed a web merchandising team of 2 members and 10 temporary staff
Achieved 100%+ of sales quota for the last three quarters
Launched branch stores on schedule, generating incremental revenue of around 10% versus the e-commerce flagship store

Oct 2007 - Jun 2009

1 year 9 months

Japan

Marketing Consultant

Freelance

Nov 2006 - Sep 2007

11 months

Japan

Program Manager (Contract)

Overture

Handled product localization to the Japan market

Oct 2004 - Nov 2006

2 years 2 months

Japan

Advertising Sales Manager

Microsoft Co., Ltd.

Supported sales activities for Microsoft Internet Advertising products
Tracked and analyzed web metrics on the Microsoft portal site
Conducted and managed marketing activities with a global team
Managed new product launch projects
Acquired 120 million Yen in annual consultation service sales (approximately 60 clients)
Released new products according to schedule

Sep 2001 - Apr 2004

2 years 8 months

Japan

Assistant Product Manager – Books, CD, DVDs

Amazon Japan

Developed, planned, and managed annual and short-term marketing plans against Amazon’s global KPIs
Created and managed product demand with the marketing team
Focused campaigns on targeted customer segments
Conducted tracking, analysis, and ROI evaluation
Reported campaign results to the Amazon management team
Trained staff on how to analyze marketing activities
Suggested ad-hoc marketing plans to the director team monthly

Sep 2001 - Apr 2004

2 years 8 months

Japan

Marketing Analyst

Amazon Japan

Conducted data mining and customer behavior analysis
Developed, planned, and managed annual marketing plans
Prepared and presented campaign results to Amazon management
Evaluated and used marketing research to develop consumer insights
Increased visitors to the promotion site by 25% versus the Amazon.co.jp site total using external advertisement placements
Increased customer retention level by 10% with reminder email promotions
Led bargain store promotion and acquired 200 million Yen from a 50 million Yen budget, improving the dead stock ratio from 25% to 10%
Developed and implemented email promotions based on data analysis

Apr 1998 - Sep 2001

3 years 6 months

Japan

Quantitative Analyst

Daiwa Institute of Research

Developed asset allocation models for stocks and bonds for pension fund management and mutual funds
Developed time series models for evaluating individual stock prices
Sold financial quantitative models to institutional investors and banks
Acquired 10 million Yen in annual consultation service sales

Summary

20 years of Comprehensive experience in strategy building and execution in online/offline marketing
20 years of Biz-dev experience
15 years of eCommerce experience
15 years of P/L management experience
15 years of Team Management experience
10 years of VC/CVC experience
10 years of M&A experience
9 years of Abundant experience involvement in management
2 years of AI annotation and labeling (Text and Voice)