CEO
Kotaro Yamagishi
After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University, joined Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.
Worked in editing and web media development before being appointed as the first editor-in-chief of "CNET Japan" under the Japanese branch of U.S. CNET.
Co-founded GREE, Inc. in 2004 and served as Vice President, overseeing various business divisions for over a decade, leading the company to its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's First Section.
Founded KII in 2015, bridging the gap between academia and business, and supporting the societal implementation of technology and research from deep tech startups aimed at solving social issues. In October 2023, established the university VC's first impact fund, KII 3, LPS, managing a total of 35 billion yen.
Also serves as a standing director and chairman of the industry-academia collaboration committee at the Japan Venture Capital Association, focusing on the development of the VC industry and the creation of university-originated ventures. Since May 2021, also serves as Vice-President for Finance, Fundraising, and Entrepreneurial Education and Support, at Keio University.
Activity
- Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun article: Startups: "Compete with Impact Investment" VC Roundtable Discussion
- SPACETIDE 2023 Year-End" Speaker
- Representative Director Yamagishi speaks at the 5th study session of the "Study Group on Impact Investment Phase 2" co-hosted by the Financial Services Agency and the GSG Domestic Advisory Committee.
- President Yamagishi has been appointed as a member of the Impact IPO Working Group of the GSG Domestic Advisory Committee
- President Yamagishi has been appointed as Managing Director of the Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA) and Chairman of the Industry-Academia Collaboration Committee.
- Notice of release of the book "Lectures on Startups that Keio University Students are Studying
- Forbes JAPAN "JAPAN'S DEEP TECH 50 companies that can win in the world! JAPAN'S DEEP TECH 50 companies that can win in the world!
- Toyo Keizai: education×ICT "Why is Keio aiming to create 300 university-launched startups by 2026?
- Toyo Keizai Online: "Where we are now, university-launched ventures connecting research and business" (Japanese only)
- Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun article: "Startup Waseda-Keio Match: Senior Entrepreneurs Gather to Chase Tokyo University".
- "New Market Segmentation Begins" posted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange website: Nurturing Startups from Japan with Japanese Money
- Featured in "Daigaku Jiho" published by the Japan Association of Private Colleges and Universities
- Speaker at the Keio University Medical School Venture Summit
- We will co-sponsor the Health and Medical Venture Award sponsored by Keio University.
- INITIAL article: Keio University VC reveals how to nurture deep tech
- Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun article: Keio University to expand entrepreneurship education throughout the university
- On SankeiBiz: Top management talks about establishing a good cycle of venture support
- Nikkei Shimbun article: Emerging companies seek "Tesla model" and investment money flows in.
- Nihon Keizai Shimbun: Active investment in medical care and IT after Keio University VC Corona
- Nihon Keio Shimbun: Keio University VC, No. 2 fund management amount to 10 billion yen
- STARTUP DB: What is the role of startups, as GREE co-founder Kotaro Yamagishi talks about?
- GLOBIS Findings: What is the strategy needed for a university-launched venture "Deep Tech Startup" to win the world? ~ Shigeo Kagami x Masaaki Taira x Kotaro Yamagishi x Mitsuru Izumo
- CAREER INDEX Magazine: I want to be confused by the changing world | Mr. Kotaro Yamagishi, President of Keio Innovation Initiative Inc. (Part 1)
