SBVA has appointed former SoftBank Vision Fund investment professionals Kaz Yoshimaru and Chris Lee as Venture Partners, strengthening the firm’s investment network across the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia.
The appointments are intended to expand SBVA’s global investment capabilities while providing additional support to portfolio companies entering international markets.
Yoshimaru previously served as an Investment Director at SoftBank Vision Fund, where he worked as part of its U.S. investment team.
His investment experience includes technology companies such as Databricks, Wiz, Perplexity, and Sierra. He also worked with portfolio companies on expansion into Japan, providing a connection between Silicon Valley companies and Asian markets.
At SBVA, Yoshimaru will use his network across the U.S. technology and venture-capital ecosystem to support the firm’s investment activities.
He will also lead strategic advisory and structuring efforts for a new fund focused on investing in U.S. startups.
Chris Lee brings private-equity and growth-equity experience to the role.
Before SoftBank Vision Fund, Lee worked at CVC Capital Partners and GIC. He later became a Partner at SoftBank Vision Fund, where he led investments in high-growth Asian companies including Yanolja, Carro, Advance Intelligence Group, bKash, IYUNO, and Funding Societies.
At SBVA, Lee will focus on identifying co-investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, assisting with new fund formation, and helping portfolio companies enter and expand within local markets.
The additions give SBVA senior investors with direct experience across major technology ecosystems in North America and Asia while advancing the firm’s effort to serve as a bridge between global technology companies and Asian markets.
“Kaz and Chris bring extensive investment experience and networks built through identifying and supporting innovative companies across global markets. We expect their addition to further strengthen SBVA’s role as a bridge between the global technology ecosystem and Asian markets.”
