YUTO KONO

Profile

In 2017, Yuto Kono joined Genesia Ventures. After working as an expatriate in the Indonesia office and as a representative of the Vietnam office, he is currently based in the Tokyo office. He is responsible for investments in Japan, Southeast Asia, and Africa in the areas of Web3, Fintech, Edtech, HRtech, and Entertainment.

Prior to joining Genesia Ventures, he interned at CyberAgent Capital in Bangalore, India, YourStory, an Indian technology media company, and Quipper, an Edtech startup in Japan.
He is a graduate of Waseda University, School of Social Sciences.

Q&A

Place of birth/residence

Chiba/Tokyo

Hobbies, Favorite Things, Holidays

Anime, Manga, Movie, Game, Travel, Football, Saltwater Aquarium, Sauna

Episodes from your school days (club activities, majors, etc.)

In elementary, middle and high school, I played soccer. In college, I played in a futsal circle, studied Latin American Studies, and interned at an Indian startup.

Favorite country/episode

I have lived in India (3 years), Indonesia (1.5 years), and Vietnam (2 years). The countries that left a strong impression on me are Spain (my first overseas trip and watching a El Clásico match) and Brazil (watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup).

Why did you become a VC?

Because it allows me to work with the entrepreneurs I respect the most.

Favorite motto

My enemy is usually me (from Space Brothers)

The worldview you want to achieve, the problems you want to solve, and the areas you want to make better

A world where everyone can find what they love and are good at (education, media/entertainment), challenge themselves (finance, human resources, creator economy), have fair incentive designs (web3, government), and enjoy life to the fullest.