# Danny Taing

> Danny Taing is the founder of Bokksu, a Japanese snack and commerce business established in 2015. Born in New York to Cambodian-Chinese refugees, he studied at Stanford, worked at Google and Rakuten, and developed the Japanese-language skills and interest in regional food that shaped Bokksu. He built the business from living-room packing into subscriptions, online retail, and distribution, working with family-run Japanese makers. His current LinkedIn profile lists Tokyo.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at Bokksu
- **Organizations:** Bokksu, Google, Rakuten, Columbia Startup Lab, US-Japan Leadership Program
- **From:** New York, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication, Stanford University, Master of Arts in Sociology, Stanford University, Bekka Japanese language studies, Waseda University, CLD intensive Chinese language program, National Taiwan University, Postbaccalaureate studies in Computer Science, Columbia University
- **Known for:** Built Bokksu from a living-room packing operation into a business with subscriptions, e-commerce, and retail distribution., Led Bokksu through a $22 million Series A announced in January 2022 at a $100 million valuation., Led Bokksu during the acquisition of Japan Crate announced in September 2023.

## Career timeline

- **2008** — Joined Google in digital marketing after Stanford.
- **2009** — Left Google and moved to Japan to study Japanese at Waseda.
- **2010-2012** — Worked in business development at Rakuten in Tokyo.
- **2013** — Returned to New York after living in Japan.
- **2014** — Completed Columbia postbaccalaureate computer science studies.
- **2015** — Joined Columbia Startup Lab and founded Bokksu after pursuing other startup ideas.
- **2016** — Launched the Bokksu snack subscription; recalled 40 subscribers at the May launch.
- **2018** — Bokksu Boutique launched; a Facebook campaign tripled subscribers from roughly 1,000 to over 3,000 in a month.
- **2019** — Columbia reported a worldwide team of 15 and a first $1 million fundraising round.
- **2021** — Bokksu Market launched for Asian grocery essentials.
- **2022** — Bokksu announced a $22 million Series A at a $100 million valuation in January.
- **2023** — Co-organized the inaugural Asian Founders Summit; Bokksu announced acquisition of Japan Crate in September.
- **2023-2024** — Participated in the US-Japan Leadership Program as a delegate.
- **2025** — Signed Bokksu Form C as CEO and director on January 27; the filing states over two million boxes shipped.

## Achievements

- Built Bokksu from a living-room packing operation into a business with subscriptions, e-commerce, and retail distribution.
- Led Bokksu through a $22 million Series A announced in January 2022 at a $100 million valuation.
- Led Bokksu during the acquisition of Japan Crate announced in September 2023.
- Bokksu reported over two million boxes shipped worldwide in its January 2025 filing.
- Co-organized the inaugural Asian Founders Summit in 2023.
- US-Japan Leadership Program delegate, 2023 and 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Bokksu's blog lists Danny Taing as the byline on October 14 coverage of Halloween in Japan and October 8 coverage of momiji tempura.
- **2026-09** — A September 11 Bokksu Boutique launch article for the Luminous Japan 2026 advent calendar carries his byline.
- **2025-01** — Signed Bokksu Form C on January 27 as CEO and director; the filing includes a founder video transcript stating over two million boxes shipped.

## Links

- Website: https://www.bokksu.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannytaing/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dannytaing
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannytaing/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/danny-taing
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22