Taizo Son

Business leader

Taizo Son is an experienced serial entrepreneur, investor and incubator in IT industry. Taizo has successfully created numerous venture businesses in areas of contents, media, social networks, and other mobile broadband related technologies and services. He also has a strong track record in cross-border businesses, whereby forming key strategic partnerships to help US/EU venture businesses to enter Asian market. With the vision to create a comprehensive next generation ecosystem to nurture and incubate global venture businesses, entrepreneurs and investors, Taizo continues to work passionately to expand his network of strategic alliances and partnerships around the world.

I'm passionate about building Silicon Valley-like venture ecosystem in East Asia region to enable necessary support to nurture innovation.

To provide aid for reconstruction work after the recent Japan earthquake and tsunami, I am currently developing and operating a system named "ORIZURU" where things needed and need to be done in disaster areas are gathered via mobile application. Those information will be clearly visualized to easily share with general people. By this system, I am acting to enhance micro-donations system as spontaneous voluntarism by public.

Over past 15 years I was involved in founding of 30 plus IT ventures. As founder, CEO or a board member, I have experienced 2 IPOs both in Japan and US as well as several other exits by trade-sales and M&As. At the same time, I had many failures that allowed me to gain more experiences. It was when I was planning a system where experienced entrepreneurs, including myself, can provide know-how with younger people and early stage companies that I was invited to TED and was greatly inspired. I'm excited to create new movement in collaboration with TED.

People don't know that I'm good at cooking. I can teach cooking Japanese foods not only just a method but a philosophy behind a dish.