Masatoshi Ueno has left his senior manager position at AGC Ventures, the US-based corporate venturing unit of Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed glass manufacturer Asahi Glass, a subsidiary of Japan-headquartered diversified conglomerate Mitsubishi.
Ueno joined AGC Ventures in 2011 and oversaw deals covering the advanced materials manufacturing sphere, including a $12.5m series B round for 3D printing technology developer Arevo and a $12m series C round for biomanufacturing technology provider AbSci.
Ueno featured in Global Corporate Venturing’s Powerlist in 2017, in the wake of AGC Ventures leading the $65m series C round for smart glass developer Kinestral Technologies.
Ueno did not disclose who will take on his duties at the unit, but confirmed he will join construction, mining and industrial equipment producer Komatsu as a US-based managing director to run corporate venturing and innovation activities on behalf of the chief technology officer.
He said: “After eight years of working for AGC, the time has come to move forward and continue my career at a different place.
“I am very grateful to you for giving me opportunities to do something interesting and good for society.”
Photo courtesy of Masatoshi Ueno courtesy of LinkedIn.
