Drone Fund

日本語

Team

Kotaro Chiba
Co-founder/Managing Partner
Kotaro Chiba
Co-founder/Managing Partner of DRONE FUND
Guest Professor at Keio University SFC
Investor

After graduating from the Department of Environmental Information, Keio University in 1997, worked for Recruit Co. Ltd. (now Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.), Cybird Co., Ltd., and K. Laboratory (now KLab Inc.). In 2009, he joined Colopl, Inc. and was appointed Executive Vice President. After Colopl was listed with the Mothers of the TSE in 2012, and with the 1st Section of the TSE in 2014, Mr. Chiba resigned in July 2016.
Having angel-invested in more than 65+ start-ups and 45+ venture capitals in domestic and overseas Internet and real-tech industries. Founded DRONE FUND in 2017, and Chiba Dojo Fund in 2019. Now also holds a guest professorship at Keio University SFC and a HondaJet Owner (the first delivered in Japan), and private pilot (FAA&Japan).

Soki Ohmae
Co-founder/Managing Partner
Soki Ohmae
Co-founder/Managing Partner of DRONE FUND
Professor of Digital Marketing, Business Breakthrough University
Founder and CEO of CREATIVE HOPE, Inc.
Dronegrapher®

Founded Creative Hope Co., Ltd. in 2002, and developed web consulting services focused on strategic aspects. Launched a one-stop service providing solutions ranging from planning and branding of Web Strategy to scientific site analysis based on access analysis, design, construction and operation of Web site.
As a Web Consultant, collaborated with many national brands and international companies and organizations leading to large web site success. In April 2009, participated in the launch of the Access Analysis Council “Analytics Association (Formerly: Access Analysis Initiative)” and assumed the position of Deputy Representative. Started operating personal drones in 2014. On March 26, 2016, won the Grand Prix of Drone Movie Contest 2016. Participated in the launch of Drone Emotion Co., Ltd. in May 2016. In May 2017, Joined the DRONE FUND Advisory Board, and in 2018 joined DRONE FUND 2 full time as co-founder and CEO. Currently acts as Co-CEO of Drone Fund and as Professor of Digital Marketing at Business Breakthrough University.

Jun Murai
Executive Advisor
Jun Murai
Executive Advisor of DRONE FUND
Distinguished Professor, Keio University
Special Advisor to the Cabinet
Advisor, Digital Agency

Ph.D. in Computer Science, established Japan’s first inter-network connection “JUNET” in 1984; launched the WIDE Project, a research consortium on the Internet in 1988; and has been instrumental in the development and diffusion of the Internet network. He led the early Internet to be multilingual, including Japanese. In 2013, he was inducted into the “Internet Hall of Fame (Pioneer Category)” by ISOC. He is known as the “Father of the Internet in Japan.” Author of “Internet” (Iwanami Shinsho) and many other books.

Shintaro Takahashi
Chief Public Policy Officer
Shintaro Takahashi
Chief Public Policy Officer of DRONE FUND
Project Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University
Executive Director, Drone Society Co-Creation Consortium, Keio SFC Research Institute

As the Chief Public Policy Officer of DRONE FUND, he is mainly responsible for strategic planning in areas related to public policy, government relations and public relations. He also works as a project assistant professor at the Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University.

Daichi Funanami
Chief Financial Officer
Daichi Funanami
Chief Financial Officer
Certified Public Accountant

Having worked at Audit companies in Japan, Daichi was in charge of budget formulation, Internal control and fundraising for venture companies. He met Founder Kotaro by the time when Kotaro was planning to set up DRONE FUND in March 2017. He joined the fund from the initial set up and became as CFO from January 2018.

Kazutaka Yomogita
Principal
Kazutaka Yomogita
Outside Director, Agri Info Design,Ltd.
Outside Director, FullDepth Co., Ltd.
External Director, Eight Knot Inc.

After working for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, McCann Erickson, and Recruit, he served as COO of an IoT device development startup, leading overall business development, mass production, and establishing a partner network, etc. Joined DRONE FUND in 2020.

Mikiya Kato
Capitalist
Mikiya Kato
Capitalist

Joined eAccess Ltd. as a new graduate in 2001, in Broadband Sales and Marketing division. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers.
After joining SOFTBANK BB Corp. in 2004, was in charge of the planning of IPTV business “BBTV” service and liaison in the field of copyright broadcasting. From 2006 onwards, he concurrently served in the president’s office of the holding company.
In June 2008, was transferred to the Media Contents Division of the Commerce and Information Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and was in charge of promoting the content industry from the technology field.
In 2010, he returned to SoftBank and was transferred to Ustream Asia Inc. and was in charge of Ustream’s service planning and copyright handling. In 2011, after the Great East Japan Earthquake, he returned to the president’s office to promote SoftBank’s renewable energy and electricity retailing businesses.
In 2015, joined Energy & Environment Investment, Inc. and was in charge of investment operations in an energy-themed VC fund and executed investments in 12 companies and achieved IPOs in 3 companies.
In 2019, he was hired by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the open position of Chief of the Digital Shift Promotion Section, in charge of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Society 5.0 (Smart City) policy.
Joined DRONE FUND in 2022 and mainly engaged in investment operations.

Hideki Haga
Capitalist
Hideki Haga
Capitalist
Certified Accountant Exam Passer

Has been involved in process improvement and quality improvement projects at domestic and overseas locations for a domestic electronics manufacturer and a foreign automotive parts manufacturer.
Joined DRONE FUND in 2019 as a Capitalist. In charge of a wide range of investment reviews, hands-on support, and LP support.
Graduated from Yokohama National University, Master of Engineering.

Ikumi Watanabe
Associate
Ikumi Watanabe
Associate
Community Manager

After graduating from Tohoku University, joined the Japan Finance Corporation, and was in charge of loan screening for sole proprietorships, corporations, and start-up companies. Joined DRONE FUND in May 2022 as an associate, acting as Community Manager to support portfolio companies to increase their value by building relationships.

Kohei Hoshino
Associate
Kohei Hoshino
Associate
Certified Public Accountant

After graduating from Keio University, he joined KPMG AZSA LLC. In April 2021, he joined DRONE FUND, where he is responsible for sourcing new investments, managing investments, and fund operations. He is in charge of sourcing new investments, portfolio company management, and fund operations.

Tomoki Nagasawa
Associate
Tomoki Nagasawa
Associate

Was previously in charge of business planning and management at a major chemical manufacturer, handled the preparation of production and sales to the formulation of mid-term management plans.
Joined DRONE FUND in 2021 as an Associate. Handles investment reviews, sourcing new investments, and portfolio company management.

Tavis Sartin
Global Marketing Manager
Tavis Sartin
Global Marketing Manager
International Affairs

After receiving his M.A. in Germanic Literatures and Languages from the University of Texas at Austin, he joined Colopl Inc. in 2016 as an International Language Specialist, advising multiple departments on the creation of content and materials for publication. Since joining DRONE FUND in 2019, he continues to draft materials for publication, assist in outreach, and advise on marketing strategy.

Miki Temmyo
Associate
Miki Temmyo
Associate
International Affairs

After graduating from university, joined Mitsubishi Trust and Banking Corp. Then worked for many years at Tokio Marine Swap House and Deutsche Securities in the middle-back department, mainly responsible for execution management of OTC derivatives products.
Joined DRONE FUND in 2018 and is responsible for sourcing overseas startups, managing portfolio companies, and supporting fund operations.
Bilingual in Japanese and English.

Motoaki Nishiwaki
Advisory Board
Motoaki Nishiwaki
DRONE FUND Chief Evangelist
Microsoft Japan Evangelist

Recognized as the “Evangelist” by the Nikkei NP.
First encountered with drones in 2009 and have, since then, been the owner of a wide array of drones. A participant and organizer of many activities to help to popularize the usage of drones in various occasions in institutions, corporations, local governments, schools ranging from elementary to universities across the country. Have aided and organized talks in communication and demonstration related fields and have held many presentations at organizations such as at manufacturers, financial institutions, government offices, educational institution, etc.

Daisuke Imai
Advisory Board
Daisuke Imai
Robot Evangelist of DRONE FUND and Asratec Inc.
Asratec Inc.

After graduating from university, Daisuke launched new Internet-related businesses at several companies and engaged in management of engineering teams as CTO. Current position since 2015. Acts as a technology evangelist for the spread of robotics as well as drones.

Yoshichika Sakamoto
Advisory Board
Yoshichika Sakamoto
DRONE FUND Drone Evangelist
Founder and CEO of ORSO Inc.

Since the year 2001, Sakatomo Yoshichika has been engaged in content development, service provision, as well as business investment for smartphones. In the years following 2014, he has been aiming to construct an ecosystem by utilizing drones. His expertise and knowledge in this field is displayed through his establishment of the first major JUIDA school “Robotics academy” which he taught for the first three terms, the creation of a smartphone application called DRONE STAR (developed by ORSO and EL), and a drone matching platform called drone market (developed by do inc., the joint venture between DJI JAPAN and ORSO, which he served as a director until 2022.)
Currently, he serves in many different roles in various organizations. These include serving as an active member of the DRONE FUND LP investment and advisory board, a member of the Project Researcher, Keio Research Institute at SFC, and Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Tokyo School of Engineering. He specializes in safe navigation management, education, and business innovation with the use of software.

Shinnosuke Nakajima
Associate
Shinnosuke Nakajima
Associate

Worked at the Ministry of Economy, responsible for economic cooperation with Russia in oil and natural gas investment. Subsequently, at the autonomous driving startup BOLDLY, served as the government liaison and business development officer, gaining experience in various regulatory reforms to realize Level 4 autonomous driving and the Project Manager of the country’s first autonomous driving social implementation project. In 2023, joined DRONE FUND. Responsible for management support for investees, public policy, and cross-cutting business collaboration. Graduated from the NUCB Business School (EMBA).