Innovation through Collaboration

Yoko joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2023. Previously, she worked at The KAITEKI Institute, a think tank within Mitsubishi Chemical Group. Before joining MCG, she spent 15 years at Mitsubishi Chemical Group researching thermal management for EV batteries and organic devices. Yoko received a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Tokyo. Yoko lives in Yokohama.

Zen joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2017. Previously, he worked at Mitsubishi Chemical Group and affiliated companies for 29 years to develop and manufacture storage media for HDD and ODD. Zen received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Tokyo Science University. He lives in Tokyo.

Koji joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2019. Previously, he worked on new business development of medical devices within Mitsubishi Chemical Group. Before joining MCG, Koji spent five years at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma as a researcher of drug delivery systems. Koji received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmaceutical science from Kyoto University. He lives in Tokyo.

Taka joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2022. Previously, he worked for SOMPO Holdings, PwC Consulting, and NEC Solution Innovators, focusing on IT. He graduated from Keio University with a bachelor’s degree in law. He spent his teenage years in Vancouver, Canada, and previously worked in the San Francisco Bay Area. He now lives in Tokyo.

Takashi joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2023. Previously, he worked at the Center for Global Commons at the University of Tokyo, collaborating with international organizations focused on sustainability. Before that, Takashi spent seven years at Mitsubishi Chemical Group as a researcher. He graduated from Keio University with a PhD in organic chemistry. He is based in Tokyo.

Hiroki joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2018. Previously, he spent 25 years at BASF Japan, including the Japan arm of BASF Venture Capital. Hiroki graduated from Mie University with a MSc in chemistry. He lives in Yokohama.

Stefan joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2021. Previously, he worked as a New Business Development Manager at Mitsubishi Chemical Group, focusing on cleantech and energy. Before joining MCG, Stefan held sales and marketing roles in Albemarle, a $15B US specialty materials company. He graduated from Cologne University with a PhD in chemistry. Stefan lives in Cologne, Germany.

Yuya joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2022. Previously, he worked at UMI, a Japanese venture capital firm focusing on chemicals and material science. He has also worked as a business start-up consultant and adviser. He graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Yuya lives in Tokyo.

Satoshi joined the DEV Venture Commercialization team in 2018. Previously, he spent 21 years at Mitsubishi Chemical Group in Japan and the United States as a Sales Manager of chemical products. Satoshi received a bachelor’s degree in law from Meiji University. He is based in Tokyo.