Kanako has a strong passion for technology and is excited to be in a part of the world where technology can bring significant benefits to people and the society. At DCM, Kanako focuses on transactional based businesses, digital media and B2B businesses that especially enhance traditional markets. From years of venture capital investment experience, she realizes that there are many sectors that can be much more productive by utilizing technology and is committed to support ambitious entrepreneurs make life much better and happier.

Starting her career at Yahoo Japan, Kanako directed multiple biz-dev projects aiming to increase the transaction volume for its e-commerce marketplaces, helping her earn execution power and an analytical skillset. Later, Kanako joined YJ Capital, a corporate venture capital arm of Yahoo Japan, where she executed 7 global investment deals. Investing in early/middle stage startups in countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and the U.S. helped her build a strong, diverse network among the startup scene and acquire an understanding of each market.

Growing up in Canada, Kanako is a figure skater, a snowboarder and a good snowman maker. The snowy country taught her both that there is nothing like being the first one to make footprints in fresh snow and that the snow she loves is not there forever. Kanako also loves taking many types of lessons including belly dance, voice training, hot yoga, cooking and makeup.