Materials, Homes and Healthcare
Exited
Chris joined the Asahi Kasei CVC team in 2020 and is focused on medtech, digital therapeutics, and biotech. Prior to AK, Chris worked in life sciences strategy consulting and biotech business development. Chris received his BA in biology and economics from Williams College and his MBA in healthcare management from The Wharton School.
Shun Ohama is a founder of CVC China, Asahi Kasei since 2020. He is in charge of all the CVC activities in China region including the investment strategy, execution for both direct investments and VC fund investments and business collaborations with AK business units. He was a Manager of CVC US, Asahi Kasei before he came to Shanghai. Before joining the CVC team, he was in charge of the business development of one of advanced materials businesses of Asahi Kasei. He graduated from Waseda University with a BA in Political Science and Economics.
Kohei Miyabe is in charge of healthcare investment. He has expertise in pharmaceutical development, especially formulation science and CMC work. His dedicated research work led to one approved pharmaceutical in Japan and more than ten published patents. He also has research experience in nucleotide delivery for gene therapy. He has a master's degree of agricultural science from Nagoya University in Japan.
Ryoichi Takashima is focusing on IoT technology and creating new business. Before joining the CVC team, he worked as a ASIC designer in Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) and developed sensor devices to achieve customer solutions incorporating AKM's software technology. He graduated Osaka University with a master's degree of science.
Yoshiki Miyamoto is now focusing on IIoT and Sustainability. Before joining the CVC team, he worked on R&D in Asahi Kasei E-materials and Asahi Kasei for 10 years and he has been experienced in various applications for high performance polymers like epoxy-resin hardeners, photosensitive polymers, flexible display substrate, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell and drug delivery system. He has a Master of Engineering degree from Osaka University in Japan.
Michinori Muraoka is exploring new business opportunities in material and sustainability sector in collaboration with AK business units. Before joining the CVC team, He worked in Asahi Kasei's membrane division in various industrial fields and spent 5 years in India as country manager for business development of membrane technology in water sector. He received Bachelor of Business Administration from Hokkaido University and MBA from Kobe University.
Masatoshi is focusing on Construction & Real Estate.
Before joining the CVC, he worked as a production engineer both in JFE steel and Asahi Kasei for 13 years.
He has a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Keio University in Japan.
Tomoyuki Endoh joined Asahi Kasei America Inc. in 2017, and is focused on residential business development with subsidiary operations in the United States. Prior to that, he worked in the real estate-related division in Japan, and facilitated the legal affairs of the section through contract reviews and assessments, conflict management and resolution, compliance management, and so forth. He began his career with the Asahi Kasei group of companies in 2005 upon graduating from Chuo University in Tokyo with a Bachelor's degree. He is qualified as a Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist in Japan.
Kazuho Igarashi is a manager focusing on mobility and MaaS related technologies and aims to co-create new businesses.
Prior to coming to CVC, he was involved in semiconductor product planning at Asahi Kasei Electronics for seven years, and spent five years at Asahi Kasei Corporation in cross-sectional marketing for a wide range of material fields including functional resins, fibers, and semiconductors.
He holds a Master's degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Electro-Communications.
Founded in 1922, Asahi Kasei is a diversified business based in Tokyo focused on three primary sectors: Material, Homes, and Health Care.
Asahi Kasei Corporate Venture Capital was established in 2008 and is focused on investing in innovative global companies in areas of strategic importance to Asahi Kasei. Our primary mission is to create new long-term business opportunities for Asahi Kasei. Our team, based in Menlo Park, the Boston area, Düsseldorf and Shanghai, consists of senior professionals with backgrounds in R&D, start up operations and venture capital.
Asahi Kasei invests across all stages. Our initial investment size can range from several hundred thousand dollars up to several million, depending on the opportunity. Given the right situation, Asahi Kasei can lead investments.
