Atsushi Saitoh
Atsushi was one of the first venture capitalists in Japan. As Jafco’s founding director, Atsushi developed the first “American-Style,” limited partnership structure in accordance with Japanese law as for part of the first-ever, venture capital fund in Japan, Jafco 1.
He later founded Japan Asia Investment Co., Ltd., which supported Japanese ventures expanding in Asian countries forming joint ventures and assisting them in accessing local capital markets. In addition, he founded CSK Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and grew CSK into a leading, tech-focused VC firm.
In 1996, Atushi established SIP Inc. with the goal of building the first world-class VC firm in Japan. He currently serves as chairman of SIP Inc.
Atsushi has published two books “15 years history in JAFCO” and “Venture Capital as an Industry.”
Prior to his work in venture capital, Atsushi was Director of the investment trust department at Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
Atsushi has a law degree from Hokkaido University.