KKR Appoints Akira Kurabayashi as Industry Advisor Back to Press Releases

KKR Appoints Akira Kurabayashi as Industry Advisor

June 1, 2021

TOKYO – June 1, 2021 – Leading global investment firm KKR today announced the appointment of Akira Kurabayashi as an Industry Advisor, effective immediately. In his role, Mr. Kurabayashi will advise KKR on its technology growth investment strategy in Japan.

Mr. Kurabayashi brings to KKR more than 20 years of venture investment experience both in Japan and the U.S., and to date, he has backed over 50 enterprise software startups. Mr. Kurabayashi is currently Managing Partner and Head of Japan at DNX Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on B2B startups. Prior to DNX Ventures, Mr. Kurabayashi was Japan Head at Salesforce Ventures and Globespan Capital Partners. He was previously at Mitsui & Co., leading the company’s venture capital activities in the U.S. and Japan, and held various roles across corporate development, corporate strategy and sales at Fujitsu Limited.

Mr. Kurabayashi serves on various Boards including Money Forward, From Scratch, Andpad, XICA, toBe Marketing, UPWARD, Kakehashi, Mazrica, Trend Express, Adacotech, and Creadits.

Eiji Yatagawa, Partner at KKR, said, “We are excited to welcome Akira as an Industry Advisor to KKR. His appointment reflects our strong commitment to our technology growth investment strategy in Japan, where we have already invested in pioneering tech companies such as From Scratch and Netstars, and as we now look toward expanding our portfolio. We are confident that Akira’s extensive venture capital experience, broad industry network and unique point of view will enhance KKR’s ability to identify compelling investment opportunities at this exciting time for technology investing, and provide even greater support for Japanese companies undergoing digital transformation.”

Akira Kurabayashi added, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join KKR in this advisory role. The firm is a true leader in the global investment and technology space, as well as in Japan, where it has been a partner to some of the most notable homegrown brands across industries. In addition to my current role as Managing Partner and Head of Japan of DNX ventures, I look forward to helping KKR build out its technology growth investment strategy and contribute to the digitalization of Japan.” 

KKR’s Industry Advisors support the Firm’s integrated model of value creation. They include current and former senior executives who bring unique leadership skills to complement the work of KKR’s investment professionals and the operational executives at KKR Capstone.

Japan remains a key investment destination for KKR globally, and the appointment of Mr. Kurabayashi demonstrates KKR’s diverse experience and commitment to identifying platforms where KKR can invest to build leading global enterprises. KKR’s technology strategy seeks to invest in emerging, high-growth companies across a variety of sub-segments including enterprise software, security, fintech, internet services, and digital media.  

KKR established an office in Japan in 2006, and since then has invested into high-caliber companies and supported their bolt-on acquisitions with an aggregate enterprise value of approximately JPY2.4 trillion (US$22 billion). KKR’s current private equity portfolio in Japan includes Seiyu, PHC, Marelli, Koki Holdings, and Kokusai Electric.

 

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management and capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of The Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

 

Media:

KKR Asia Pacific                              Finsbury Glover Hering (For KKR Japan)
Anita Davis                                     Deborah Hayden, +81 70 2492 0463
+852 3602 7335                             Hannah Perry, +81 70 3769 9633
Anita.Davis@kkr.com                     FinsburyKKRJapan@finsbury.com


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