Shimizu replaces Kazuhiko Chuman at KDDI’s Open Innovation Fund.
Kaz Shimizu has been promoted to group leader of the KDDI Open Innovation Fund, a corporate VC fund managed by Japanese telecoms firm KDDI in partnership with VC firm Global Brain. Shimizu replaces Kazuhiko Chuman, who has moved to Mizuho Financial.
As group leader at KDDI’s Open Innovation Fund, Shimizu is responsible for overseeing Japan’s market entry for international investment projects while supporting Japanese startups in their expansion into global markets.
In 2018, Shimizu took on the role of leader for KDDI’s accelerator programme KDDI Mugen Labo, a business co-creation platform under the Open Innovation Programme, which combines startup technologies and ideas with a range of real assets from enterprises. The programme is associated with 101 Japanese enterprises.
Shimizu joined KDDI in 2007 where he worked on developing search engine business partnerships and launching new service initiatives. He moved to KDDI America in 2011 where he managed the company’s investments in US startups and aided their expansion into the Japanese market.
KDDI’s Open Innovation Fund was established in 2012 and has invested approximately $275m in 151 startups. The fund invests in artificial intelligence, internet of things, data marketing, fintech, enterprise software and deep tech.
Shimizu was a GCV Rising Star in 2016.
