All About startups

TAKAYUKI OMORI

Founder & CEO

He is Founder and CEO of RouteX Inc. that is think tank specialized in startup ecosystem. He currently based in London and researching latest startup trends especially in FinTech fields.

While a student of Kyoto University MBA, he was involved in startup community management at Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support and Coral Capital. Founded RouteX Inc. in Japan as a student startup in 2018 based on a business plan that won an intramural excellence award while enrolled in Kyoto University’s MBA. He has extensive experience in establishing and negotiating with startups abroad, having worked on the establishment of RouteX Inc.subsidiary in Russia (which withdrew due to the war) and France. He currently resides in Canary Wharf, London’s financial district, where he conducts local research activities focusing on FinTech trends.

Traveled abroad to 111 countries
Former President of Alumni Association of Kyoto University Graduate School of Business Administration
Former Facebook Developer Circles Tokyo and Osaka Lead
Former AngelHack Tokyo ambassador

MASAHIRO TSUKAO

COO / President of RouteX Europe SAS

Joined RouteX in 2019 as COO and led the business development during the startup phase. Specialized in insights related to innovation creation through startup ecosystems and cutting-edge technologies primarily in Europe, with strengths in business development and business model construction. Extensive experience in media coverage at overseas conferences, external speaking engagements, and mentoring. Appointed as the representative of the first overseas office, the France branch, in December 2022.

Previously engaged in electric vehicle battery development and project management at Nissan Motor Corporation. Graduated from Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering (Chemistry).
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TETSUYA SASAOKA

Co-Founder & Lead Engineer

During my time at Kyoto University, I founded and operated an engineering community as its representative. The region-specific flea market product developed garnered widespread recognition among universities in the Kansai region. I was involved in product development at a rapidly growing startup, gaining broad experience in app and web service development. In July 2018, I co-founded RouteX Inc. and currently serve as Lead Engineer, leading data analysis and product development. I also served as the representative for the Osaka branch of Facebook Developer Circles, the world’s largest engineering and startup community originating from Silicon Valley.

Graduated from Kyoto University Graduate School of Informatics.

RAY WATABE

Associate

After graduating from Sophia University’s Faculty of Comparative Culture with a major in International Business and Economics, I leveraged my multicultural background from Hong Kong and New Zealand to establish an Incubator Circle and an Investment Circle. During my student years, my interest in startups deepened. Drawing on my experience of learning French since high school, I relocated to France after graduating from university.

I joined RouteX, a company whose mission aligns with my goal of serving as a bridge between Japanese and French businesses on the ground, capitalizing on my language skills and international experience.

HIROKO NAKAJIMA

Associate

After graduating from Osaka University’s Faculty of Economics, I joined a government-affiliated financial institution as a new graduate, focusing on startup support. I evaluated financing for over 3000 ventures and launched entrepreneurship competitions. Intrigued by organizational decision-making, I pursued an MBA at Kyoto University. Joining RouteX in 2022 aligned with their mission. I won the Best Research Award for entrepreneurship education during my doctoral studies.

Osaka University, Economics
Kyoto University MBA, 2021
Best Research Award, entrepreneurship education, 2021

AOI KONDO

Intern

During high school, I led a student organization and gained admission to Kyoto University’s Faculty of Economics through a special entrance exam. I joined an entrepreneurship program at Kyoto University’s Industry-Academia Collaboration Headquarters upon enrollment, initially interested in student startups but later shifted focus to entrepreneurship support and global startup ecosystems. In January 2022, I began an internship at RouteX Inc. based on a recommendation, transitioning to a full-time role in August. I am set to become an exchange student at Koch University’s Faculty of Administrative and Economic Sciences in Turkey starting September 2023 under an inter-university agreement.

Currently studying at Kyoto University’s Faculty of Economics (expected graduation: March 2025).

SANGMOON KIM

Associate

After gaining experience at RSM Seiwa and Deloitte Tohmatsu Financial Advisory LLC, I joined RouteX. I have consistently focused on consulting from a financial perspective, while also excelling in business planning and financial modeling. At RouteX, I am responsible for a wide range of tasks, including trend research and supporting the creation of new businesses. Certified Public Accountant (Washington State, USA). Based in Berlin.
MSc in Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation at ESCP Business School (currently pursuing)

MATHIEU DARNAJOU

Adviser

Matthieu Darnajou is a physicist and an expert in measurement instruments. He began his research in particle physics at the University of Montreal in Canada and chose to live in Japan, where he self-taught Japanese. As part of Kyushu University’s Particle Experiment Physics Research Group, he worked on research related to the Higgs boson at the LHC. In 2017, he received high praise for his work in industrial process technology development at the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

He won competitions such as the i-PhD Contest and the i-Lab National Innovation Contest, embarking on the path of entrepreneurship. Since June 2023, Matthieu has been supporting RouteX in promoting innovation domestically and internationally.

MITSURU OMORI

External consultant

As an external consultant at The Japan Research Institute, Limited, I engage in consulting services related to strategy formulation, including business strategy and marketing strategy. In recent years, my focus has been on incorporating socially responsible activities such as ESG, SDGs, and CSV into business operations, developing corporate visions and mid-term management plans, and creating frameworks for new business creation and development, primarily for medium-sized and small companies. I also support overseas projects, particularly in the ASEAN region, by conducting investment environment surveys and assisting with overseas expansion.

My recent publication is “Understanding ESG/SDGs in One Book” (Chuo Koron Shinsha).