Kotaro Chiba

After graduating from Keio University’s Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, he began his career at Recruit Co., Ltd., later holding key roles at Cybird Co., Ltd. and K Laboratory Co., Ltd. In 2009, he joined Colopl Inc., becoming Executive Vice President the same year. He led talent acquisition and organizational development, helping guide the company through its IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in 2012 and its TSE First Section listing in 2014, before stepping down in 2016. An active angel investor, He has personally invested in over 60 startups and 40 venture capital funds worldwide, with a focus on internet and real-tech sectors. In 2017, he founded Drone Fund, serving as Founder & General Partner. He has been a Visiting Professor at Keio University SFC since 2019. In July 2019, he launched Chiba Dojo Fund to merge the power of a founder-led community with venture capital. In 2021, he became an Outside Director of the SPAC Pono Capital, which listed on NASDAQ that same year. He is also the owner and pilot of Japan’s first HondaJet.