Kaito is a program manager at Antler Japan, where he works with early-stage founders from inception through investment, supporting fundraising, go-to-market strategy, and international growth. He began his career in the pharmaceutical industry as a medical representative before transitioning into the startup ecosystem with Plug and Play Japan, where he designed and managed accelerator programs while working closely with startups, corporate partners, investors, and government organizations. His experience spans venture development, cross-border market expansion, and ecosystem building, supporting both international startups entering Japan and Japanese startups expanding overseas. He brings a founder-first, investment-oriented perspective to Antler, helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building scalable, venture-backed businesses.