MEMBER
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Hayami Shimizu
President ＆ CEO
Hayami Shimizu
Hayami Shimizu, following his entry into Itochu Corporation in 1987, embarked on a multifaceted career path. He initially served as a German language trainee and subsequently held roles in the semiconductor business, life sciences business, and as CEO of a company specializing in health checkup support. Later, he served as the CEO of a Contract Sales Organization (CSO) specializing in medical marketing.
In November 2019, Hayami Shimizu joined Osaka University Venture Capital, assuming the position of President and Representative Director in June 2020. His journey at Itochu Corporation encompassed various roles, ranging from sales of machinery and special equipment, semiconductor measurement device sales, and asset management for manufacturing equipment to engagement in collaborative efforts between academia and industry in running a preventive medicine center. Additionally, he gained experience in fund investments, direct investments, and the establishment of in-house startups within the healthcare services sector. -
Akira Uotani
COO & Director Investment Division
Akira Uotani
投資部長
Akira Uotani joined Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. in 2005, where he worked on research and development related to high-performance materials, as well as new business planning.
Subsequently, after engaging in venture startup support activities at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, he joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2017. As a venture capitalist, he primarily supports the creation of startups based on university research (Company Creation), investment activities, and provides management support to portfolio companies. He also serves as the Head of the Investment Department, overseeing the management of the entire investment division. -
Shinsaku Miyagi
CFO & Director Administration Division
Shinsaku Miyagi
管理部長
Shinsaku Miyagi joined Osaka University Venture Capital in February 2016, following his tenure at a foreign-based insurance company and investment firm, Crest Investments. He currently serves as the Head of Administration.
During his time at Crest Investments, Shinsaku Miyagi was involved in investment and recovery operations for unlisted companies. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Managing Director responsible for the acquisition of business companies through M&A, as well as serving as a director of the acquired subsidiaries. This allowed him to accumulate practical experience in management and administration. Additionally, he has a background in serving as a CFO in a business company. -
Satoshi Morikawa
Director Corporate Planning Division
Satoshi Morikawa
経営企画部長
Satoshi Morikawa joined Itochu Corporation in 1998 and has promoted business development, investment activities, etc., mainly in IT-related fields.
For three years from 2014, he launched Osaka University Venture Capital and conducted the initial investment activities.
After that, he promoted IT-related business development, joint research with the University of Tokyo, and other activities. In 2024, he returned to Osaka University Venture Capital to support the growth of portfolio companies.
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Yuki Taga
Senior Capitalist, International Strategy Manager,
Investment Division
Yuki Taga
投資部キャピタリスト
Yuki Taga joined Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. in 2012 after completing a master's degree in condensed matter physics, then studied abroad for an MBA, and joined Osaka University Venture Capital in October 2022. At Osaka University Venture Capital, he is primarily responsible for venture investments and management support for investee companies.
In his previous job, he was an engineer in charge of the design, development, and capital investment of industrial machinery. He was primarily in charge of optical fiber production equipment in the Optical Communications Division, and took the lead in setting up production bases in Japan and overseas and optimizing production through equipment improvements. -
Monta Sakaki
Capitalist,
Investment Division
Monta Sakaki
投資部キャピタリスト
Monta Sakaki was engaged in domestic investment operations in a wide range of fields at a securities-affiliated venture capital firm. He joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2019 after working in university-industry collaboration and in planning and management at a robotics venture. He then served as the head of administration at a drug discovery startup of a portfolio company in 2023, and returned to Osaka University Venture Capital in August 2024. He is in charge of investing in university-originated ventures and management support.
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Shigehiro Asano
Associate,
Investment Division
Shigehiro Asano
投資部アソシエイト
Shigehiro Asano joined Osaka University Venture Capital in December 2024 after a career in drug discovery research at Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. At Osaka University Venture Capital, he focuses primarily on venture investments and providing management support to portfolio companies.
In his previous role, he spent approximately 15 years as a medicinal chemist, conducting small molecule drug discovery research. He was also responsible for identifying and negotiating agreements for drug seeds and drug discovery-related technologies, as well as managing strategic alliances. -
Shinya Murase
Associate,
Investment Division
Shinya Murase
投資部アソシエイト
Shinya Murase joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2024 after working for a pharmaceutical company and an independent VC firm. At Osaka University Venture Capital, he is responsible for investment operations and providing management support to portfolio companies. Previously, he was involved in new drug research and development at a pharmaceutical company and in investment and fund management at an independent VC firm.
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Hiroki Ikuta
Associate,
Investment Division
Hiroki Ikuta
投資部アソシエイト
Hiroki Ikuta joined Osaka University Venture Capital in January 2025, bringing experience from both local government and a consulting firm. At Osaka University Venture Capital, he focuses on venture investments and provides management support to portfolio companies.
In his previous role at a consulting firm, Hiroki served as a project manager, driving digital transformation (DX), business development, and organizational reform initiatives. He guided clients across industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and energy, offering support from strategic planning through implementation. Hiroki also has hands-on experience in launching a medical AI startup, including developing its business plan. -
Taiki Nakayama
Associate,
Investment Division
Taiki Nakayama
投資部アソシエイト
Taiki Nakayama joined The Senshu Ikeda Bank in 2011, and after 10 years of corporate loan operations, he was transferred to Osaka University Venture Capital in October 2023.
At Osaka University Venture Capital, he is working as an associate in the investment division, where he is involved in investment in university-launched ventures and management support for portfolio companies.
During his time at The Senshu Ikeda Bank, he was involved in financing small and medium-sized businesses, primarily in the manufacturing industry. -
Keiichi Karasugi
Entrepreneur In Residence,
Investment Division
Keiichi Karasugi
客員起業家
Keiichi Karasugi was engaged in research and development as well as business development related to life sciences and healthcare at several domestic manufacturers. Since 2022, he has been working on drug development in the field of emergency medicine, aiming to commercialize university-originated seeds. In July 2024, he joined Osaka University Venture Capital. As an EIR (Entrepreneur In Residence), he aims to create businesses that are close to the pain faced by the people involved.
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Masahiro Uehira
Senior Venture Partner,
Investment Division
Masahiro Uehira
投資部シニアベンチャーパートナー
Dr. Masahiro Uehira he joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2018 following a distinguished career of over 30 years at Shionogi & Co. Ltd. He is responsible for scientific evaluation of life science-related technologies, and he also takes a hands-on support of the ventures based on his rich experience in various expertise including research, development, regulatory affairs, project management, and business development.
During his tenure at Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Dr. Masahiro Uehira held a range of key positions, including Research Manager, Development Project Manager, Global Project Manager, Head of Area Project Management, and Head of Area Research and Development Oversight Committee. His leadership played a pivotal role in successfully bringing several products to market. He also has experience leading multiple projects, including global development, as a key member in collaboration with the company's overseas subsidiaries and global pharmaceutical partners.
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Hiroki Sato
Senior Venture Partner,
Investment Division
Hiroki Sato
投資部シニアベンチャーパートナー
Hiroki Sato joined Osaka University Venture Capital in October 2022 after working at five pharmaceutical companies. He is currently responsible for the technical assessment of drug discovery and life science-related seed technologies.
In his previous job, he worked at a pharmaceutical company for 25 years in drug discovery research (medicinal chemistry; metabolic diseases, respiratory diseases, etc.) and drug development research. After that, he gained experience in business development work such as alliance management and licensing out (cancer fields) mainly for European and American pharmaceutical companies, as well as management work in planning, drafting, and implementing epidemiological research, and managing presentations of clinical trial results at academic conferences and publication of papers (in the pain and cancer fields). -
Yoshiyuki Shimekake
Venture Partner,
Investment Division
Yoshiyuki Shimekake
投資部ベンチャーパートナー
Yoshiyuki Shimekake joined Osaka University Venture Capital in November 2023 after joining Shionogi & Co. Ltd., where he is involved in technology evaluation of early seeds.
In his previous job, he was engaged in research on physiological functions of peptides and nucleic acids for more than 20 years, after which he was in charge of searching and contracting for joint R&D partners and drug discovery-related seeds and technologies, as well as alliance management. -
Aya Takahashi
Investment Division
Aya Takahashi
投資部
Aya Takahashi joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2019. She is responsible for supporting Investment Division operations and internal IT-related tasks.
In her previous job, she worked in the fields of nuclear energy and embedded engineering.
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Nozomu Mamiya
Assistant Director,
Corporate Planning Division
Nozomu Mamiya
経営企画部次長
Nozomu Mamiya joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2022 after working at The Bank of Kyoto.
At Osaka University Venture Capital, he is involved in the Corporate Planning Division, supporting the growth of investee companies and networking with large companies and financial institutions.
During his tenure at The Bank of Kyoto, Ltd., he was responsible for startup support in the Sales Division. He was also involved in establishing banks' own funds, investing in various funds, and planning business matching and seminars. -
Yoshihiko Sakamoto
Chief,
Corporate Planning Division
Yoshihiko Sakamoto
経営企画部主任
Yoshihiko Sakamoto joined Japan Asia Investment Co., Ltd. in 1991 and he joined Osaka University Venture Capital in January 2015 to engage in investment operations. He led investments of JTEC Corporation, Kringle Pharma, Inc., and Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd., which were investees of OUVC 1st Investment Limited Partnership and achieved IPOs, as well as KOTAI Biotechnologies, Inc., which achieved M&A. He has been in the Corporate Planning Division since April 2022.
During his time at Japan Asia Investment Co., Ltd., he led more than a dozen IPOs and M&A exits in the investment department. He was appointed as an executive officer in 2008 and provided hands-on support to startups according to their growth stage, including securing management personnel, strengthening sales systems, arranging capital and business alliances, and developing governance and IPO systems. He also raised funds for multiple VC funds. -
Kenichi Nobuhara
Corporate Planning Division
Kenichi Nobuhara
経営企画部
Kenichi Nobuhara joined National Life Finance Corporation (now Japan Finance Corporation). Since August 2024, he has been seconded to Osaka University Venture Capital. In his role in the Corporate Planning Division, he is involved in supporting the exit strategies of portfolio companies, monitoring activities, and additional investment considerations for portfolio companies. At JFC, he mainly provided loan consulting and screening services for startups and new businesses.
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Jumpei Ueda
Chief,
Administration Division
Jumpei Ueda
管理部主任
Jumpei Ueda joined Resona Bank in 2009 and, after working with the Race Group in the field of human resources services, he joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2021. In his role within the administration department, he is responsible for fund management, government agency coordination, as well as various back-office functions including human resources, general affairs, and accounting.
During his time at Resona Bank, he worked at branch offices in Osaka, where he handled lending services for small and medium-sized enterprises, corporate transaction support, and asset management services for individuals. In his role at the Race Group, he was involved in talent scouting for middle management positions within small and medium-sized enterprises. -
Serina Oda
Administration Division
Serina Oda
管理部
Serina Oda joined Osaka University Venture Capital in 2017. In the Administration department, she is responsible for various back-office functions, including human resources, general affairs, and accounting.
