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Kotaro Chiba
General Partner, Founder of Chiba Dojo Fund and Drone Fund
After graduating from Keio University with a degree in Environmental Information, he joined Recruit Co., Ltd. and subsequently worked at Cybird Co., Ltd. and K-Laboratory Co., Ltd. In 2009, he joined Colopl, Inc., becoming Executive Vice President in December. He oversaw recruitment and talent development, leading to the company's IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers in 2012 and its listing on the First Section in 2014, before resigning in July 2016.
As an angel investor, he has invested in over 60 startups and more than 65 venture capital funds globally. In June 2017, he founded the "Drone Fund" and serves as its managing partner. He became a visiting professor at Keio University's Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) in April 2019. In July 2019, he established Japan's first entrepreneur community venture capital, the "Chiba Dojo Fund." In April 2021, he became an outside director of PONO CAPITAL, leading to its IPO on NASDAQ in August. He is also the owner of Japan's first HondaJet and a licensed pilot.
Session
Community Lab Now Gen - NowGens as Samuraïs of the modern area: right brain leadership development
Community Lab
"Xichu no Sankio" was a cultural strategy embraced by Japan's three great unifiers— Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu. This concept involved leaders and wealthy merchants confining themselves in small, aesthetic spaces to cultivate a sense of tension and right-brain leadership. They sipped matcha, appreciated art, and negotiated important deals in a serene setting. Today, Nagamitsu Yamada and investor Kotaro Chiba are modernizing this tradition. Deep dive into Kotaro’s journey and achievements so far as a leader, and efforts to share right-brain leadership under Yamada's family methodologies.
FOR WHOM IS THIS?
You are aged between 35-55 years old. You have full responsibility toward the business and the family, you are fully accountable but might not be fully empowered yet and have not full control. The previous generation is still around and you might be busy raising your own NxGs or planning your own succession. Key questions: how to drive the business forward, how to move away from my NxG Legacy and grow into a board member, how to nurture healthy family dynamic…