Arata Kokaji

Arata Kokaji is a Principal at WiL (World Innovation Lab), a venture capital firm based in Tokyo, Japan.1 He has extensive experience in the investment and startup ecosystem, with a career spanning various roles in venture capital and corporate environments.

Career Progression

Arata's professional journey includes:

1. Current Role: Principal at WiL (World Innovation Lab) since January 2024.1
2. Previous Positions at WiL:
   • Investor from August 2021 to December 20231
3. Plug and Play Tech Center:
   • Ventures Associate (January 2021 - July 2021)
   • Ventures Analyst (August 2019 - December 2020)1
4. Mitsui & Co., Ltd.:
   • Associate (April 2016 - July 2019)1

Education

Arata holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Keio University, which he obtained between 2012 and 2016.1

Professional Focus

At WiL, Arata is involved in:

• Investing in Japanese startups, particularly in B2C and B2B spaces
• Supporting corporate open innovation
• Mentoring startups and assisting with their fundraising activities1

His experience at Mitsui & Co. involved working on finance and operations for large-scale liquefied natural gas infrastructure investment projects, where he developed skills in financial modeling, project economics, and operational/financial KPI management.12

Arata Kokaji's diverse background in venture capital, corporate finance, and energy infrastructure positions him well in his current role at WiL, where he contributes to identifying and supporting innovative startups and fostering corporate innovation.