Shuichiro is the President of Energy & Environment Investment, Inc. (EEI), Japan’s first VC dedicated to energy and the environment which he founded in 2006.

Shuichiro originally joined the Industrial Bank of Japan in 1989 and started covering the power and energy sectors in 1996 as an analyst in the Industry Research Division. In addition to research and analysis of industry trends, he served as a member of several advisory bodies to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, including the Electric Utility Industry Council, where he helped put forward policy proposals for industry deregulation and institutional design and became acquainted with many prominent figures from the energy sector. In 2000, Shuichiro moved to IBJ Securities (now known as Mizuho Securities), where he ran corporate finance operations for companies in the energy sector.

In 2003, Shuichiro joined forces with the American consulting firm Strategic Decisions Group, a spin-off of the Stanford Research Institute, to found Industrial Decisions Inc. (IDI), Japan’s first consulting firm dedicated to the energy industry. There, he served as CEO for three years focusing on growing the company’s management consulting business. His experience at IDI led him to become keenly aware of the need for more risk capital as well as management support for startups in the environment and energy sectors, leading him to found EEI.

Shuichiro holds a degree in law from the University of Tokyo and an MPA from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.

Kenyu began investing in the environment and energy sectors from 2009. He supervises investments in the IT with Energy sectors, and the overall internal corporate structure.

Kenyu joined the Industrial Bank of Japan and was involved in trading U.S. bonds and various derivatives, as well as system maintenance and operations. Afterwards, in 1997, he transitioned to Digital Garage and focused on establishing pre-IPO management systems. In 2004, Kenyu joined Cybozu inc., where he held positions such as Director of the Management Administration Department, and in 2006, he contributed to Cybozu’s listing on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange as the CFO. In 2007, he moved to Nikkatsu and took the lead in business strategy planning and capital policy.

Naoki joined EEI in 2016. While managing investment in start-ups in energy and “smartification” sectors, he leads fund formation activities and business planning operations by leveraging his previous experience working at a major financial institution.

Prior to EEI, Naoki worked in finance-related business operations at Mizuho Securities Co., including the underwriting of bonds issued by utilities and government agencies, and advisory services for electric power companies on their investor relations activities overseas, before engaging in external public relations activities in the business planning division at the head office. At graduate school, Department of Urban Engineering, the University of Tokyo, he majored in environmental studies.

Kengo joined EEI in 2010, he is in charge of investment activities and business development.

Kengo served a front-office role for start-up investment at a major venture capital firm. Thereafter, he engaged in corporate planning, business development and overall sales operations at several hardware, entertainment, and internet-related start-ups and business corporations.

Tohru joined EEI in late 2008. He is mainly in charge of investment in technology and IoT/data-related sectors as well as global business operations.

After a career in corporate analysis and M&A at the Industrial Bank of Japan, Tohru co-founded a cutting-edge image processing LSI start-up in Silicon Valley in 1997, where he architected the business plan, led corporate and business development activities as vice president. He also raised significant funding from multiple VCs and built an experienced cross border management team as CFO. After returning to Japan in 2003, Tohru served as representative, manager and advisor roles at multiple Japanese and U.S. technology start-ups.
He holds an MBA from Stanford GSB, Stanford University.

Takahiro joined EEI in 2008. He is mainly in charge of investment in sectors related to “smartification” and effective utilization of resources.

After working as a system engineer, Takahiro helped launch an IT start-up in 2001. During his career at a corporate revitalization-related private equity group company from 2003, he oversaw practical operations for the revival of a middle-ranking ad agency and helped the company to return to profitability. At an M&A advisory firm from 2006, he worked in a broad range of areas from due diligence to closing in relation to M&A of small businesses.

Makoto joined EEI in 2006. He is mainly in charge of investment in the energy sector and business planning operations.

After serving in the Corporate Finance Department at Nippon Life Insurance Co., Makoto was assigned to the private equity section of the Stock Investment Department in 1997 and engaged in investment in start-ups, LP investment in PE and management of related VC, contributing to the development of the company’s start-up investment operations. Makoto joined Dream Incubator Inc. in 2003 and became representive of a start-up investment strategy subsidiary. He helped the company to get listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section by establishing investment funds and improving the performance of the investment division.

Ryusuke joined EEI in 2020 as the Head of Mobility Business Innovation to explore the opportunities in mobility area.

Ryusuke had been in automotive and airline industries before he joined Nissan in 2004 where he led EV new business incubation including V2H, V2G, EV carsharing, EV battery business in addition to new EV product planning. While in Nissan he was also in charge of synergy creation in EV business within Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance. As being one of the global leading EV business experts, Ryusuke has been invited to a number of governmental meetings and conferences both in Japan and overseas to give advices to electrify the society around the world.

Akifumi joined EEI in 2018. He is mainly in charge of business development and investment in the energy sector.

After his long career as a consultant, starting with PricewaterhouseCoopers Consultants Co. (the predecessor of IBM Japan, Ltd.), Akifumi joined ENERES Co., an energy start-up in 2012, serving as head of the new business development and power marketing business divisions and taking up IPO projects. He joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (the predecessor of PwC Consulting LLC) in 2014, and supported companies’ entry into the electric power business.

Taiki joined EEI in 2024. He mainly looks at investment activities.

He started his career as a venture capitalist at SBI Investment Co., Ltd. in 2011. In 2015, he joined a star-up in its foundational phase as a CFO. In this role, he led the development and execution of the company’s strategy, fundraising, and overall corporate operations. In 2018, he returned to the venture investment industry and served as a partner of an IT venture capital firm.
He holds an MBA from Graduate School of Accountancy, Waseda University.

Tomohiro joined EEI in 2015, and he is responsible for portfolio management operations, such as evaluation of companies that EEI has invested in, and performance management and accounting of funds, while engaging in investment activities.

Before joining EEI, Tomohiro worked at Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co. in charge actuarial operations, such as calculation of premiums for corporate pension plans, calculation of financial balance forecasts for reserves and assessment of reserves for personal insurance as well as for life insurer fund-raising, risk management and corporate planning operations such as the handling of credit ratings.
He holds a Master of Engineering in Bioengineering, The Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Tatsuhiro joined EEI in 2019. He mainly looks at investment activities and supports global business operations.

After joining Tokyo Electric Power Co. as a new graduate, Tatsuhiro has a total of eight years of experience in public relations, new business development, and overseas investments.
In 2018, Tatsuhiro worked in business development, a German electric retail start-up, which uses blockchain technology. Also, he gained experience in portfolio management and supported fund formation at one of the largest utility company’s CVC teams in Europe.

Jun joined EEI in 2022. He is responsible for fund management, including the introduction of fair value evaluation.

Before joining EEI, Jun worked at a major auditing firm, mainly engaged in accounting audits of investment banks, renewable energy, and other infrastructure funds. He has experience in supporting IPOs of venture companies and consulting related to environmental ratings and is well-versed in the theme of accounting and the environment. He is a certified public accountant.

Chihiro joined EEI in 2024. She mainly looks at investment activities.

Chihiro started her career at a foreign investment bank, contributing to research and institutional sales of Japanese and European equities. Later, she transitioned to a consulting firm, where she played a key role in projects related to value-up, restructuring, and management strategies mainly for PE fund investees. Chihiro also has an experience in the tech VC sector, focusing on Fund Of Funds investments and startup investments in the early and pre-IPO stages.

Kumiko joined EEI in 2021. She looks at both domestic and global investments and guides the development and management of impact strategies.

After joining euglena Co.,Ltd., a cleantech/biotech startup, in 2011, Kumiko served as a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In euglena, she was assigned to the Management Strategy Division and had taken charge of launching new businesses both in Ishigaki island, Okinawa prefecture, and Bangladesh, which contributed to the company’s IPO. After euglena, she joined the Resource Security Division, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she engaged in policy planning as well as international negotiations related to the stable supply of energy and mineral resources, and food security.
Keio Business School, MBA /Completion of international program at Wharton MBA

Tomomi joined EEI in 2023. She looks at both domestic and global investments and guides the development and management of impact strategies.

Tomomi started her career at Dentsu Inc., contributing to diverse projects, including a global brand transformation. She then joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), managing programs emphasizing SDGs, business innovations, and African startup ecosystems. After she moved to the UK, she worked as a strategy consultant at EY Parthenon in London, mainly on climate tech related projects.
She holds an MBA from Cambridge University and CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing.

Chie joined EEI in 2015. She is in charge of fund management operations and internal management operations as leader of the management division. Also Chie leads the launching and operational management of the portfolio management system.

At Japan Asia Investment Co., Chie was responsible for management of more than 50 funds, including foreign-registered funds and funds of funds. Thereafter, she engaged in start-up investment and fund investment at the investment division. Chie joined CyberAgent Ventures Inc. (currently CyberAgent Capital Inc.), in 2013, and led the establishment of the fund management system in cooperation with eight overseas business entities.

Itaru joined EEI in 2017. He is in charge of overseas investment and global business development from his operating base in Europe.

After a career at Morgan Stanley, Itaru worked in carbon credit trading at Fortis/ABN Amro Bank (Amsterdam) from 2006 and then at Masdar (Abu Dhabi), a renewable energy concern, from 2009. He moved to Marubeni Corp. (Tokyo/Paris) in 2011, and engaged in setting up an ESCO business joint venture with European chemical companies.

Masaki joined EEI in 2023. He is in charge of overseas investment from his operating base in Europe, as well as supporting investee companies’ IPO.

After serving as the Managing Director and head of Equity Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley in Japan, Masaki moved to Singapore to join Reapra. As CFO and the member of the Investment Committee, he was engaged in various investment and hands-on support activities for early-stage start-ups in Southeast Asia and Japan, across different sectors. Masaki moved to the Netherlands in June 2023 to focus his activity in the area of sustainability.

Steve has led three businesses from early stage to mass-market and exit. He was Managing Director of AlertMe (‘Hive’) sold to British Gas in 2015; Managing Director of Tiscali Broadband, sold to TalkTalk in 2009 and a senior executive at early internet service provider LineOne, sold in 2001. Alongside his role at EEI, Steve is on the UK Board of HomeServe PLC, Board Advisor to IoT Insurance innovator Leakbot, Investor & Advisor to Moixa – the UK’s leading home energy storage business – and lead Investor in Imont.io – edge computing IoT software that operates at a fraction of the cost of the cloud.