MoMoers had a super time during the last two mixer events, and it was truly great to see so many attendees and meet with such a wide range of mobile-savvy folks. Now it’s time to get back down to business! While we certainly plan to hold those ‘open-to-all’ evenings several more times throughout 2007, our next event is reserved for people working in the mobile community only in an effort to focus on our core audience.
We have arranged for two Tokyo-based VCs to present an overview of their operations and discuss what they are looking for when they are approached by start-ups for funding. This “get the money to meet the talent”-theme evening should certainly result in some interesting conversations and new connections for everyone concerned. So mark your calendar for 19 March at KDDI’s fabulous Designing Studio, Harajuku, and please RSVP so we can prepare enough food for the post-presentation networking session in the 5th floor Wired Cafe.
Michael Korver – Co-founding Partner – Global Venture Capital
Global Venture CapitalMichael was born and raised in Tokyo and first developed his insider’s perspective on Asian business from his experience as an analyst at the Nomura Research Institute in Tokyo from 1983 until 1986 – where he first met Hirokazu-san, GVC’s other managing partner – and as an international transactions lawyer with Richards & O’Neil in New York and Tokyo from 1987 until 1993. Since 1993, Michael has worked as an international business consultant, corporate lawyer, venture capitalist and entrepreneur in Tokyo. GVC’s partners have been active in entrepreneurship, venture capital and private equity globally for over 20 years.
Masaaki Suga – Vice President – CYBIRD Investment Partners
CYBIRD Investment PartnersMasaaki Suga joined CIP in January 2007. Earlier, he resided in Vancouver, Canada, and managed a number of projects in which he helped companies and products in North America to enter into the Japan and Asia market. Previously he worked for Macromedia (Adobe Systems) to run product and marketing division of server side products in Japan. Masaaki received an MBA from McGill University, Montreal Canada. CYBIRD Investment Partners Inc. (CIP) is a capital investment management company and 100% owned by CYBIRD Holdings Co., Ltd. CIP manages CYBIRD Plus Mobile Fund, the first mobile focused fund in Japan.
Robert Leonard Consulting and Jonckers Translation & Engineering
Date: Monday, 19 March 2007
Venue: KDDI Designing Studio GMAP
18:30 – Doors Open
19:00 – Welcome/introduction
19:15 – First presentation
19:30 – Second presentation
19:45 – Q & A
20:00 – Networking
22:00 – Last Call