Yoshi Okubo

Vice President/Founding Team at East Ventures Growth Fund
Summary
Yoshi Okubo is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a diverse background in venture capital, startup founding, and strategic business development.
Yoshi began his entrepreneurial journey in school, eventually founding and successfully selling a company during his college years.
He then transitioned to the world of venture capital, joining Z Venture Capital under the SoftBank Group in Tokyo before moving to Singapore to spearhead the East Ventures Growth Fund, which raised an impressive US$250 million as its debut growth fund.
Prior to his venture capital roles, Yoshi honed his skills as an investment analyst at Sumitomo Corporation, managing group-level investments exceeding US$100 million and engaging in M&A activities across various industries.
Yoshi's expertise extends to the tech and fintech sectors, as he ventured into launching a multi-million dollar fintech company in Singapore that expanded its presence to Thailand and Malaysia.
Adept at driving growth and innovation, Yoshi relocated to Malaysia to oversee a fintech portfolio company's IPO preparations and new business initiatives related to mobile wallets, credit cards, and payment gateways.
Yoshi was instrumental in the establishment of ADA, a joint venture with Axiata Group in the AdTech space, which secured substantial funding from Sumitomo Corporation and SoftBank Corp in subsequent years.
Education-wise, Yoshi is a Star Scholar recipient with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, from Carleton College in the United States, where he distinguished himself academically.
Yoshi's global upbringing and professional experience have taken him across various regions, including the Middle East, the US, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, enriching his perspective and adaptability.
Currently serving as Vice President and Founding Team member at East Ventures Growth Fund, Yoshi's extensive portfolio includes past roles such as Investor, Board Observer, and Portfolio Manager at notable companies like Gojek, Tokopedia, Xendit, and Traveloka.
Yoshi's entrepreneurial spirit is evident from his early roles as Founder & CEO of a Career Prep Online School Platform and his involvement in multiple startups and venture capital firms worldwide, demonstrating his commitment to driving innovation and success in the business landscape.