Mikihiro Yasuda brings an unusual combination of deep technical programming background and C-level operating experience from roles including CTO/COO at Kakaku.com, plus early internet experience as Practice Manager for Japan at Netscape, before becoming a venture investor at Hike Ventures. He founded a San Francisco consulting company called Neo, led corporate venture investments for DeNA San Francisco, and later ran Open Network Lab as CEO, giving him founder, corporate VC, and incubator experience across Japan-U.S. markets before launching his own fund.

• Deep interest in Generative AI and its application to complex verticals. Frequently highlights how AI intersects with specific industries, such as the revolutionizing potential of biomedical data platforms like Sapiens or the evolution of chat interfaces, while keeping a pulse on global AI developments in regions like Quebec and China.
• A focus on robotics, automation, and how hardware interacts with the physical world. actively tracks milestones in autonomous technology, ranging from spotting driverless vehicles on the streets of San Francisco to celebrating product launches for home automation robots like Matic and Kozmo.
• Strong connection to the Japanese tech ecosystem and cross-border innovation. Often bridges the gap between North American and Asian markets, sharing updates on Tokyo-based teams, Japanese retail innovations like the Zozotown measurement bodysuit, and general travel advice for the region.
• Curiosity toward decentralized infrastructure and Web3 utility. Engages with the practical mechanics of blockchain projects, such as analyzing the tokenomics and sell pressure of the Helium mobile network or appreciating metaphors that compare crypto development to the historical rise of open-source operating systems.
• Advocacy for founder-friendly resources and operational insights. Regularly shares practical advice for early-stage companies, covering essential topics like intellectual property strategy, shifting hiring trends, and structural market changes like the introduction of the Long-Term Stock Exchange.