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Akinori (Aki) Koto

A product guy turned into VC, Partner at WiL

Akinori (Aki) Koto is a Partner at World Innovation Lab (WiL), a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California.1 He joined WiL in March 2014 and has since been involved in various aspects of the company's operations.1

Key Responsibilities at WiL

  1. Investment: Koto focuses on fostering new global ventures, particularly investing in mid-to-late-stage startups with global appeal and disruptive potential. His areas of interest include marketplace, VR/AR, mobile, smart home, IoT, connected car, and wearable technologies.1

  2. Business Creation: He promotes open innovation by incubating new businesses that combine Japanese corporate partners' expertise with Silicon Valley's talent and innovation culture.1

  3. Empowerment: Koto is involved in providing education programs on global entrepreneurship for Japanese corporate partners, aimed at executives and intrapreneurs.1

Professional Background

Before joining WiL, Koto held several notable positions:

  • Investment Director at DG Incubation, Inc. (2011-2014)1
  • General Manager/Vice President at Digital Garage US, Inc. (2011-2014)1
  • Japan Specialist at Twitter (2010-2011)1
  • Product Manager at CGM Marketing, Inc. (2006-2011)1

Education and Skills

Koto holds a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Kansai University (1995-1999).1 He is proficient in English and Japanese1 and has experience in product management, business development, and internationalization.1

Akinori Koto is known for his expertise in working with visionary entrepreneurs in frontier tech and his passion for WiL's empowerment efforts.2 He has been featured in case studies and has participated in various industry events, including the NET ZERO Leaders Summit.34

Related Questions

What are some of the most successful startups WiL has invested in?
How does WiL's approach to open innovation differ from other incubators?
What are Aki Koto's key responsibilities as a partner at WiL?
How does WiL support Japanese corporate partners in their innovation efforts?
What are some examples of WiL's empowerment programs for entrepreneurs?
Akinori (Aki) Koto
Akinori (Aki) Koto, photo 1
Akinori (Aki) Koto, photo 2
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Location

San Francisco Bay Area