# Gen Isayama

> Gen Isayama is the co-founder, general partner and CEO of World Innovation Lab (WiL), based in Palo Alto and active across Japan and the United States. A former Industrial Bank of Japan banker and DCM Ventures partner, he combines venture investing with corporate business creation and entrepreneurship education.

- **Role:** Co-Founder, General Partner & CEO at World Innovation Lab (WiL)
- **Organizations:** World Innovation Lab (WiL), DCM Ventures, Industrial Bank of Japan, Arch Pacific, Intertrust Technologies, Blue Lab, SORACOM, Mizuho Innovation Frontier, UPSIDER, Japan Society of Northern California, Japan Venture Capital Association, Japan Association of New Economy
- **From:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Nationality:** Japanese
- **Education:** BA, Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo, MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business
- **Known for:** Co-founded WiL and developed its combination of venture investment, corporate business creation and entrepreneurship education., Led WiL when it announced more than $1 billion raised across multiple funds in June 2022., Contributed technology columns to Nikkei Digital, Nikkei Industrial Newspaper and Toyo Keizai Online.

## Career timeline

- **1995** — Co-founded web design and consulting business Arch Pacific with Stanford students while at Tokyo University.
- **1997** — Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law and joined the Industrial Bank of Japan.
- **2001** — Moved to Silicon Valley to study at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- **2003** — Joined DCM Ventures; investment work focused on internet media, mobile and consumer services.
- **2013** — Co-founded World Innovation Lab (WiL).
- **2016** — Became an outside director of Intertrust Technologies.
- **2017** — Became an outside director of Blue Lab.
- **2021** — Became an external director and audit and supervisory committee member of SORACOM.
- **2023** — Became an outside director of Mizuho Innovation Frontier and UPSIDER.

## Achievements

- Co-founded WiL and developed its combination of venture investment, corporate business creation and entrepreneurship education.
- Led WiL when it announced more than $1 billion raised across multiple funds in June 2022.
- Contributed technology columns to Nikkei Digital, Nikkei Industrial Newspaper and Toyo Keizai Online.
- Served as a member of Japanese government committees addressing entrepreneurship and startup development.

## Latest updates

- **2025-03** — Appeared on Coral Capital’s podcast to discuss WiL’s business creation, education and investment activities.
- **2025-04** — Discussed corporate partnerships, Japanese startup market entry and his hopes for 2033 in The Worldfolio.
- **2025-06** — SORACOM’s shareholder meeting materials listed him as a candidate for reappointment as an external director and audit and supervisory committee member.

## Links

- Website: https://wilab.com/team/gen-isayama
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gen-isayama-3a5139

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/gen-isayama
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09