UPWARD is a team that continuously strives to create a world where field workers around the globe are not constrained by location or time, and can engage in truly creative work.
Born in Tokyo in 1973. An expert in GIS (Geographic Information System), he founded UPWARD in 2016, a sales engagement service that seamlessly integrates cloud CRM and GIS. Currently, the service has been implemented in over 400 companies, primarily large enterprises, and boasts the top domestic share as a SaaS solution for field sales (outside sales). He has received the Salesforce Gold ISV Partner, the Salesforce Innovation Award, and the Microsoft Japan Partner of the Year award for "Microsoft for Startups". In 2021, he was selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's startup support program, J-Startup. In 2022, he was selected for Forbes JAPAN's JAPAN’S CLOUD TOP20.
Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tokyo. Joined Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. in 2006, and after engaging in branch sales and marketing operations for bonds and derivatives, he was in charge of financial accounting operations. Joined Mitsui Bussan Co., Ltd. in 2014. After being in charge of financial planning and treasury in Tokyo, he was involved in general financial operations as Deputy General Manager in Singapore. Holds US Certified Public Accountant and Securities Analyst qualifications. Joined UPWARD in December 2019. Currently resides in Singapore.
Graduated from Hitotsubashi University with a degree in Economics, joined Mitsubishi UFJ Bank in 2005, working as a foreign exchange trader in Tokyo and Singapore. Then worked in Bangkok, responsible for the acquisition and integration of Ayutthaya Bank. Joined UPWARD in April 2022.
After graduating from UCLA in 2009, joined Trend Micro. After being involved in marketing and sales for new businesses, started his own business. In 2015, joined Salesforce.com Co., Ltd. (now Salesforce Japan). After working as an Inside Sales Representative, Account Executive, and Sales Manager, he served as a Branch Manager. After that, he was in charge of the enterprise area, focusing on the automobile and high-tech industries at Slack Japan Co., Ltd. Joined UPWARD in March 2021.
After graduating from Chuo University in 2011, joined Nomura Research Institute, Ltd., where was responsible for enhancing back-office systems for securities companies and overseeing large-scale system renovation projects. Joined UPWARD in December 2019.
Holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tokyo University of Science and a Master of Science degree from the University of Tokyo. During student years, conducted research in Earth and planetary sciences at JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. Joined NTT Laboratories in 2007, engaging in research and development of mathematical optimization for telecommunication networks. After working at Accenture and Amazon Web Services Japan, joined UPWARD in April 2023. Holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from Nagoya University.
After being in charge of venture capital operations in Japan and the United States at Fujitsu Limited and Mitsubishi Corporation, he served as the Japan representative for Globespan Capital Partners and Salesforce Ventures. He joined DNX Ventures in March 2015 and currently serves as Managing Partner and Representative Director of Japan. Ph.D. from Doshisha University, MBA from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.
Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Agriculture, and joined Kirin Brewery Company in 1983. After working in beer production and quality control, experienced new business development and start-up, including in Brazil, and M&A. Served as President of an Indonesian joint venture in 2009, General Manager of Kirin Intellectual Property Department in 2013, Managing Executive Officer of Mercian in 2014, General Manager of Production and SCM Division, and full-time Auditor of the company in 2017. Appointed as full-time Auditor of UPWARD.
Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Kyoto University. As a lawyer, he is mainly engaged in corporate legal affairs at major foreign-affiliated law firms (Morrison & Foerster Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise (Ito Kenpo Law Office)), the Kanto Local Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, which supervises and inspects financial institutions, before becoming independent. In April 2015, he established Unite Law & Accounting Office and assumed the position of Representative Partner. He provides legal services to various start-ups and financial institutions.
In 1982, joined Hewlett-Packard Japan. Served as Director, Managing Director, Senior Managing Director, and Representative Director, Vice President and Executive Officer. In April 2015, assumed the position of Vice President of Salesforce.com Co., Ltd. (now Salesforce Japan). As a leader in the Enterprise Business Division, oversaw business for major corporations, the public sector, and regions outside of the Kanto area. Subsequently, assumed the position of Representative Director and Vice President. Since June 2025, he has been an Executive Advisor at UPWARD.
Since its founding, UPWARD has specialized in location information acquisition technology and has been involved in the construction of many business systems as a leading company in Japan. Based on this knowledge and technological capabilities, we continue to evolve into a globally applicable SaaS by refining products for field workers, focusing on mobility.
