James Higa is a venture capital investor at Offline Ventures who reported directly to Steve Jobs as Senior Director in the Office of the CEO at Apple, was a member of the original Macintosh team, and personally negotiated and launched iTunes before becoming an investor. Born in the U.S. but raised in Okinawa with education at Stanford, he has built his career spanning Okinawa, Japan, and Silicon Valley, helping launch Apple Japan and NeXT Japan while now serving on the Silicon Valley Japan Platform committee and U.S.-Japan Council.

• Focus on the intersection of culture, art, and technology, particularly how digital tools can empower creativity. He actively supports initiatives that teach young people to use coding as an artistic medium, such as workshops where students create generative art.
• Deep commitment to Japanese heritage and strengthening connections between the US and Japan. He frequently engages with the US-Japan Council and maintains strong ties to Okinawa, including delivering commencement speeches for scientific institutes in the region.
• Passion for music and the evolution of audio technology. His interests range from new hardware startups creating novel musical instruments like ROLI to deep dives into the creative process of bands like Weezer.
• Dedication to social impact and philanthropy, with a specific emphasis on maternal health and education. He highlights the work of non-profits like Every Mother Counts and celebrates ventures that combine business goals with values that aim to improve the world.
• Interest in Web3 and blockchain applications that facilitate communication and community. He has expressed excitement about protocols that enable direct messaging between crypto wallets and the use of decentralized tech for social good.
• Support for female leadership and breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. He regularly celebrates the achievements of self-made businesswomen and female athletes, such as race car drivers, using his platform to champion their success.