WAY Equity Partners

The WAY Team

Head of People & Culture
“Life is short. I aim to spend it building something I care about and supporting those who are doing the same. I am driven to live fully, so I never have to look back and regret what I didn’t accomplish.”
Aki brings more than 10 years of experience scaling the Japan operations of global tech companies, while nurturing cultures that resonate with both international stakeholders and local teams.
As a founding member of Miro and WeWork's Japan offices, Aki played a crucial role in setting up their local operations and building teams from the ground up.
Prior to this he led APAC recruitment for Autodesk and founded his own companies in the LATAM region.

Founding Partner | CTO | DynaMeet
“As a techie at heart, I'm passionate about building innovative solutions that address real-world challenges.”
Ayan brings more than 15 years of experience in software management, AI, and data engineering, leading impactful programs at companies including Indeed, Cogent Labs, and Yahoo!.
Ayan's educational background that includes an MSc in Software Engineering from Oxford University and an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.
Ayan's achievements encompass interactive installations, top-grossing games, deep learning projects at Flickr, and AI SaaS and consulting for some of Japan's largest companies, all driven by his unwavering passion for tech innovation, problem-solving, and delivering value to customers and stakeholders.

Product & Design Advisor
“Unlock the full creative potential in myself and others.”
Boris brings a decade of experience as Executive Director at Goodpatch, a Japanese design firm. Boris played a crucial role in scaling the company to $20m+ in revenue and 250+ employees, leading to a successful IPO in 2020.
Leveraging his educational background, with a Master's in Design from Keio and in International Management from the University of St. Gallen, Boris applies a design-driven approach to innovation and value creation.

Founder & CEO
“I am on a journey to partner with the next generation of leaders, enabling them to build industry-defining companies and chart their path to significant, lasting and positive impact.”
Chris has dedicated the past 11 years to founding and scaling Schmatz, a beer and restaurant company, alongside his lifelong friend and business partner Marc Lütten.
Schmatz has grown to 40+ locations and 800+ team members in Japan, with nationwide distribution and a thriving subscription business.
Drawing from his early company building experience at Rocket Internet, Chris brings a hands-on approach to his role as investor and CEO at WAY.

Entrepreneur in Residence
“I want to build something people not only want, but genuinely need. The philosophy that drives me is best explained by the quote, ‘If your life's work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you're not thinking big enough.’”
Daisuke brings 10 years of experience in operational roles at global companies ranging from large enterprises exceeding $60 billion in revenue to pre-seed startups.
Daisuke has worked as Chief of Staff and Country Manager for Japan at Peeba (YC W23), and played key roles building Wolt and Uber in Japan, leading expansion efforts in both organisations and establishing operations in over 10 new markets nationwide.

Operator in Residence
"The world progresses through those who create something new, navigating uncertainty and complexity to build what didn’t previously exist. Thus, entrepreneurship is the most noble and rewarding pursuit one can undertake.”
Dan's diverse career has spanned both new venture development and the realisation of large-scale operational programs.
This has included leadership roles at APL Group and Aegis Ventures, where he spearheaded new business creation.
Earlier he built a strong foundation leading AI projects for BCG, with a degree in Statistics and Finance from the Wharton School.

Chief of Staff
“A company is an augmentation of the individual, and the world is in need of exceptionally brave, empathetic, and ambitious individuals to shape the future for good. My goal is to help find them and equip them to succeed.”
Maya has had a diverse career spanning East Africa, the United States, and Japan – driven by a commitment to value creation through design-led product and service development.
Maya's work includes redesigning educational opportunities for pan-African scholars at Ashinaga, and enabling innovation strategy for clients at Fabric, with a focus on unlocking human needs and organizational agility.

Founding Partner | CEO | monoya
“Japan is at a turning point and has so much potential to offer to the world. I believe it is my job, and opportunity, to create the bridge to realise that.”
Yu's career is defined by a commitment to connecting Japan with the world, with 15 years of growth strategy expertise in the retail and CPG sectors, including leading roles at McKinsey, Dentsu, P&G, and adidas.
Born in Tokyo, raised in New York, with a Columbia MBA – Yu's cross-cultural background uniquely positions him to unlock value for both Japanese and global enterprises, reflecting his passion for building international business opportunities.