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Kaz Terada was formerly Managing Director and Board Member of ITOCHU Technology Ventures, Inc. (ITV), a venture capital firm with $270 million under management. At ITV, Kaz led investments primarily in the fields of ICT (software, hardware, and services), green technology, and wireless healthcare. His portfolio included successful companies such as Ooyala (acquired by Telstra), Thuuz, SiTime (acquired by MegaChips), Sakti3 (acquired by Dyson), GoNet, eSionic (formerly Zettacore), Runa (acquired by Staples), 41st Parameter (acquired by Experian), Link-A-Media (acquired by SK Hynix), Teknovus (acquired by Broadcom), TonchiDot, Vasily (acquired by Start Today), Silver Egg Technologies (IPO in 2017), Premium Agency (acquired by Hearts United Group), Peatix, and CMerTV (acquired by Voyage Group).
Kaz brought over 20 years of international business experience to ITV, gained through various leadership roles within ITOCHU Corporation’s Aerospace, Information Technology & Multimedia Group across Japan, the U.S., Taiwan, and Europe.
Before joining ITV in May 2006, Kaz served as Senior Vice President of ITOCHU Technology, Inc. (ITI) in the U.S., where he was responsible for business development and strategic investments for ITOCHU’s ICT & Media Group. Prior to that, he led ITOCHU’s Business Transformation Outsourcing initiative, which leveraged the group’s capabilities in business consulting, HR management, corporate education, and CRM to drive horizontal integration. This initiative built upon ITOCHU’s strengths in Information Technology (IT), Finance Technology (FT), and Logistics Technology (LT).
Earlier in his career, Kaz held senior management positions overseeing strategic IT projects in communications, networking, security, wireless, enterprise software, semiconductors, and manufacturing equipment. Between 1997 and 1999, he spearheaded ITOCHU’s early-stage venture investments in Silicon Valley and played a key role in establishing Horizon Ventures, ITOCHU’s first U.S.-based technology venture capital fund.
Kaz has served as President of TiE Japan, and held board positions at Macnica Fuji Electronics Holdings, Inc. (TSE: 3132), Cuoca Planning Co., Ltd. (acquired by Tomiz), Vasily, Inc. (acquired by Start Today), Runa, Inc. (acquired by Staples), DMP, Inc. (TSE Mothers: 3652), CTCSP Corporation, CTC Create Corporation, and was the founder of ITC Technology Taiwan Corporation.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Waseda University, Japan.
Kaz is currently the President & CEO of A2O, Inc., Founding Board Member and Charter Member of TiE Japan, Venture Advisor at Monta Vista Capital, Advisor to the Innovation Leaders Summit, Mentor at 500 Startups, Mentor at Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH), Charter Member of AAMA, and Councilor at the Kamiyama Foundation.
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