My first encounter with an entrepreneur was during my university years. I was attending an awards ceremony for an entrepreneur ranking event hosted by Forbes JAPAN. That year’s grand prize went to Shintaro Yamada of Mercari. His acceptance speech was filled with his ambition for creating a new global marketplace, and his presentation was dynamic. It left a lasting impression on me.

Looking back, I realize that I have always enjoyed being around passionate, driven individuals. I often felt joy in supporting their endeavors, even in small ways.

During my high school years, I prepared family dinners in place of my busy parents. Balancing this with my studies and extracurricular activities was challenging, but I felt proud to support my parents as they pursued their goals.

In university, during an internship at Forbes JAPAN, I dedicated myself to discovering outstanding individuals in various industries and sharing their stories with the world. After graduating, I joined McKinsey & Company, where I found fulfillment in building trust with clients and contributing to project success through rigorous discussion and collaboration.

Then, as I entered my third year in the workforce, I reassessed my career path. My long-standing interest in entrepreneurs could no longer be ignored. There seemed to be a strong connection between my experiences and the path of a venture capitalist. I believed in the futures envisioned by entrepreneurs, and I wanted to commit myself to supporting them in the next decade of innovation.

Meeting new people and contemplating diverse futures is incredibly stimulating. It adds vibrant color to my everyday life. However, this journey also brings a constant sense of responsibility and self-reflection. I often question if I am worthy of partnering with the entrepreneurs I respect. But believing that their challenges create new value and positive change for society, I remain dedicated to supporting them.