Backstory

I come from a remote area in Yamanashi Prefecture. My childhood home was surrounded by nature - mountains, rivers, a humble but high-quality hot spring (Shimobe Onsen), and a beautiful lake (Lake Motosu). I grew up in a peaceful, laid-back environment that felt a bit like the world of My Neighbor Totoro.

From preschool through junior high, there were only about 20 students in my grade - a tight-knit community. I later attended Kofu First High School, one of Yamanashi’s top schools, known for hosting “Japan’s toughest school event,” a tradition over 100 years old. Called Kyoko Ensoku (“Forced March Field Trip”), it’s a 105-kilometer endurance walk that starts in Kofu, climbs over Nobeyama Pass at 1,350 meters, and ends in Komoro. As someone who loved soccer and track, I joined every year and usually finished near the top. Those years really built my mental and physical stamina.

I was a scholarship student for most of my academic life. I delivered newspapers in junior high, worked at McDonald’s in high school, and juggled several nearly full-time roles in university. These jobs gave me a real appreciation for frontline operations and hands-on work - something that still shapes how I approach my career today.

What’s a side project or hobby you’re obsessed with?

I’m obsessed with a wide range of interests, from active pursuits to chill, indoor hobbies. I was on the soccer team in high school and still play futsal or soccer nearly every week. I also go to the gym, run, and enjoy all kinds of sports - I just love staying active.

On the flip side, I’m into yoga and meditation, art exhibits, exploring neighborhoods, soba and sake, wine, craft beer, izakaya hopping, video games, manga, anime, reading (across genres), gadgets, cameras, audio gear and music, power spots, cultural sites, and finding great coffee shops and stylish cafes. I rotate through these depending on my mood.

I try to bring this wide curiosity into my work - approaching startup discovery and support with passion, flexibility, and an open mind.

About Masa

I spent nearly a decade at Accenture Japan, focusing on telecom, high-tech, media, and internet sectors. After joining DeNA, I was based in San Francisco, leading its mobile gaming business in the U.S. and Europe. Working in Silicon Valley, surrounded by tech giants and startups, was a truly transformational experience.

I later became President of DeNA Life Science, then SVP in its Strategic Investment Office, where I gained hands-on experience investing in startups in Japan and abroad. That was the beginning of my journey as a VC - and I found it incredibly rewarding.

In 2016, I joined Eight Roads (Fidelity’s VC arm) as a Principal, and in 2021, became a Partner at MPower Partners, where I now lead venture investments. I hold an engineering degree from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and completed the PLD program at Harvard Business School.