Mr. Kato works closely with the other Principals of KeyNote Ventures in finding, evaluating, and investing in promising start-ups. He has also been helping the firm maintain good relationships in Asia, including China and Japan and is responsible for the firm’s strategic relationship with NEC..
Mr. Kato is a founder and principal of KeyNote Ventures. He led the firm’s investments in Precoad, F-Origin and Link A Media, where he is a member of the board of directors. He also serves on the board of Astute Networks and is an observer on the board of Inphi. Mr. Kato joined Dali, Hook Partners, the predecessor firm to KeyNote Ventures, in late 2001, as a venture partner.
Prior to joining Dali, Hook Partners, he was general manager of Corporate Business Development (CBD) of NEC Corporation. Under Mr. Kato’s leadership, the newly established CBD organization was responsible for strategic finance activities, such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and for investing in venture companies and in venture capital funds. Venture capital investments alone accounted for more than $100 million during his tenure.
Prior to this position, he was general manager of Corporate Strategy and Business development (CSBD) of NEC USA, Inc, (NEC USA), a 100% owned subsidiary of NEC. Mr. Kato was instrumental in creating this CSBD function in the company, and he was directly involved in setting up a venture program in which NEC Corporation and NEC USA invested in several venture capital firms as a strategic investor, and facilitated the formation of strategic alliances between NEC Corporation, NEC USA and promising young companies. In this capacity, he was also deeply involved in investing in venture companies through such programs as the Intel-64 fund, where he led NEC’s investment decision process for the investment opportunities generated by the fund (NEC had the right to opt-in or opt-out of each investment decision of the fund).
His previous assignments include senior manager and manager of Corporate Planning Division of NEC. While holding these positions, he contributed to the formulation of company strategies. Mr. Kato started his career as a systems engineer, developing computer-based information systems. During that period, he studied at the Sloan School of Management, MIT, to further deepen his understanding of management and business administration. He holds BS in engineering and Master of Engineering degrees from the University of Tokyo.