ALGORITHM ＋ HUMAN > ALGORITHM OR HUMAN
Hike Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in startups leveraging applied AI to solve well-defined challenges in ways that traditional software has not been able to accomplish. We focus on startups utilizing AI to address specific problems.
With advancements in AI algorithms, the increase in data volume, and the acceleration of GPU performance, it has become possible to realize AI-driven services that solve problems more cost-effectively and quickly than traditional methods. As a result, numerous innovative services are emerging.
Through our international offices in San Francisco and Tokyo, we actively invest across the U.S., Canada, and Japan. Hike Ventures seeks to transform conventional work styles and norms by investing in startups that create businesses to enrich people’s lives, supporting them as an integral part of their team.
Portfolio
Team
MIKIHIRO YASUDA
GENERAL PARTNER (SAN FRANCISCO)
Miki is a trained executive and entrepreneur who started his career as a programmer and built expertise in company growth and VC investment.
He led executive roles in notorious tech companies such as Netscape and was a member of the Board of Director (BOD) for several companies.
Miki was a board member and CTO/COO at Kakaku.com wherein he built the tech team and led new business developments. He joined Digital Garage and became a board member while developing its international operations.
He became CEO of Open Network Lab, an incubator for global-minded entrepreneurs in Japan, and CEO of Neo, a San Francisco based lean startup consulting company. Later on, he joined DeNA San Francisco where he led its early-stage investment.
Board member at UCSF Health Hub and McGill Japan Advisory Board.
BS from Rochester Institute of Technologies and MBA from McGill University.
TAKA SHOJI
GENERAL PARTNER (TOKYO)
Taka is an experienced leader and investor with expertise in startup incubation, international investment, and market entry in Japan. Prior to co-founding Hike Ventures, he was the managing director of Digital Garage’s investment vehicle, DG Incubation, wherein he led the hands-on team, helping portfolio companies grow through data analysis support and Japan market entry. In addition, he was in charge of DG's seed to mid-stage investments in the US, India, and Southeast Asia. Before joining Digital Garage, he was PM of Baidu Japan, wherein he helped improve freshness contents coverage and localized search engine to the Japanese market.
Taka was also a venture partner at Zeroth.Ai, an accelerator for AI and machine learning companies.
BBA from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.