ABOUT AZCA
About AZCA
AZCA, Inc., founded in 1985 by Masazumi ISHII, is a management consulting and investment banking firm that assists companies as they expand and diversify their businesses in Japan and other Asia-Pacific markets.
As a result of the increasingly interdependent global economy, many corporations are reassessing their direction and developing international strategies as key components of their long-term success. This may involve new venture launches, corporate or institutional investment, technology exchanges, corporate partnerships, and other synergistic business relationships.
AZCA serves as a catalyst – advising clients in the development of effective international strategies. More importantly, we play an active role through every step of the business development process to ensure and expedite their successful implementation.
Industry Experience
To date, AZCA has assisted both American and Asian companies in well over 300 engagements. Many of our clients are emerging, high growth companies in the areas of high-technology including electronics, information technology, environmental technology, and life sciences, among others.
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IT & Electronics
Digital Transformation (DX), Internet (IoT), Internet of Things (IIoT), Cyber Security, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Physical System (CPS), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Fact check, edge computing, high speed communication, quantum computer, etc.
Clean Technology
Renewable energy, seawater desalination, sewage treatment, smart homes, smart community, mobility, environmental protection related systems, pollution treatment systems, agritech, biodegradable materials, etc.
Life Science
Digital health, regenerative medicine, medical device, drug discovery (small and medium molecules), drug delivery system (DDS), agribio, plant genetics, foods, etc.
Fintech
Cryptocurrencies, smart payments, smart asset management, financial DX, etc.
Partners
AZCA works with selected professional firms as a partner to serve certain specific functions and industries.
TEAM
AZCA’S Professional Staff
AZCA’s professional staff possesses extensive international backgrounds and direct experience working in the Asia Pacific countries. We are familiar with local business practices and customs in these countries, and maintain valuable professional relationships within the business infrastructure. Each consultant has a unique blend of corporate and venture business experience, coupled with a strong background in management and high technology. This experience added to their advanced degrees from leading universities in both the U.S. and Japan make their knowledge invaluable.
Management Team Members
Management Team
Members
Masa ISHII 
Managing Partner
Masa has over 30 years of experience as a professional in international business and high technology. While managing AZCA, Inc., he has been active as a venture capitalist over the past 20 years. Currently, he is particularly focusing on supporting the establishment and operation of CVCs (corporate venture capital) for Japanese companies.
Prior to establishing AZCA in 1985, Masa worked with McKinsey & Company, Inc. and with IBM Japan. Also, he is currently an Academic Advisor to Toyo University and a Visiting Professor at Chubu University in Japan. B. Engineering from Tokyo University, MS in Computer Science from Stanford University.
Masazumi (“Masa”) ISHII is a Managing Partner of AZCA, Inc., a professional firm based in Menlo Park, California, which provides consulting and investment banking services to technology-based companies to achieve their corporate development objectives in the Asia-Pacific markets. Based on his thirty years of experience as a professional in international business and high technology, Masa has supported numerous companies in North America, as well as Japan and other parts of Asia, in formulating and implementing their strategies on international businesses and new venture development.
While presiding over AZCA, Masa has been involved in the venture capital industry since 1987, and most recently, he was a Managing Director of Noventi, a VC firm based in Menlo Park, until 2015.
Prior to establishing AZCA in 1985, Masa was a senior management consultant at McKinsey & Company, Inc., where he planned and managed projects for numerous corporations in Japan, Europe and the United States, focusing on international diversification strategies. He was an active member of the firm’s Technology Practice and Electronics Practice. He was also instrumental in developing the firm’s Pacific Rim Practice in providing East-West links for companies entering new markets and establishing businesses on both sides of the Pacific.
Before joining McKinsey, Masa was an influential contributor in the computer industry for more than a decade, including eight years with IBM in Japan. While at IBM, Masa was involved in a broad range of technical and management activities, and co-authored two books on IBM’s database and data communications architecture.
Masa serves or has served on the board and the advisory board of several multinational companies, including Logitech, Inc., Alien Technology, iFire Technology, PARC, among others. In particular, he was a Senior Executive Advisor to PARC (Palo Alto Research Center), a Xerox company, from 2006 to 2012. He also serves or has served on the board of various associations, including the Japan Society of Northern California and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Northern California (President in 2007). He was a member of the US-Japan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council between 2011 and 2013 where he worked very closely with the governments of both US and Japan. Also, Masa was invited to the Business Briefing meetings at the White House several times between 2012 and 2015 to discuss various business, environmental, and economic issues facing the US.
Masa is a frequent speaker and writer on issues involving innovation and entrepreneurship as well as international corporate development and is a well-recognized member of the US – North America business infrastructure. He was a visiting professor at Waseda University Business School and at Graduate School of Engineering, Shizuoka University, both until 2019. Currently he is an Academic Advisor at Toyo University and a Visiting Professor at Chubu University. He also works closely with the Government of Japan, in particular as a member of several committees of MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).
Masa holds a Bachelor of Engineering in mathematical engineering and instrumentation physics from the University of Tokyo and a Master of Science in computer science from Stanford University.
Masa ISHII
Managing Partner
Wayne DOIGUCHI
Partner
Leader of AZCA’s Finance Practice. Wayne has more than 25 years of experience in finance, having worked at Bank of Tokyo and Union Bank of California. He managed many cross-border transactions at Park Plaza Investment Company and Strata Ventures, LLC. He also served as Chairman of Pan Pacific Bank, a regional bank in the Bay Area. Currently he serves as a board member of California Bank of Commerce. BA from UCLA, MBA from Santa Clara University.
Wayne DOIGUCHI
Partner
Haru KATO
Partner
Haru has over 10 years of venture capital experience at Dali Hook Partners and KeyNote Ventures. Previously he worked with NEC both in Japan and US in various managerial positions in strategic planning and corporate venture capital. MS in Engineering from Tokyo University, attended MIT’s Sloan School.
Haru KATO
Partner
Manabu TSUYAMA
Partner
Manabu has more than 20 years of experience as Corporate Executive Staff in strategic R&D planning and new business development, and more than 15 years of experience in open innovation, global partnership and strategic alliances mainly with US companies, as General Manager, both at Sony Corporation. B. Engineering from Tokyo University.
Manabu TSUYAMA
Partner
Serdar UCKUN, Ph.D.
Partner
Serdar leads AZCA’s Boston Office. He has over 20 years of experience as corporate executive, R&D leader, and consultant for world-class organizations including NASA, Xerox PARC, and Rockwell. In addition, he has started two high-tech companies. His interest areas include Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and life sciences / biotech. He has substantial experience in US-Japan R&D partnerships, strategic alliances, intellectual property management and M&A. Education in Medicine (M.D., Ege University) Biomedical Engineering (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University), and Computer Science (Postdoc, Stanford University).
Serdar UCKUN, Ph.D.
Partner
Robert Peter GALE, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. (Hon.), F.A.C.P.
Partner
Bob heads AZCA’s Healthcare Practice. He is recognized internationally for his expertise and track record in medicine, especially hematology and oncology, clinical research, transplantation, molecular biology and immunology. Often called on by nations to deal with nuclear and radiation accidents. His medical and research contributions include over 850 scientific articles and over 20 books. Bob’s experience in the biotechnology industry includes Astra-Zeneca, Trition Biosciences, Antigenics Inc, ZIOPHARM, POSCO BioVentures, and most recently Celgene Corporation where he is Executive Director, Clinical Research. Hobart College (AB with high honors, Biology and Chemistry), State University of New York at Buffalo (MD), UCLA (Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology), Albany Medical College (D.Sc.), Hobart College (L.H.D.), MacMurray College (D.P.S.).
More at www.robertpetergalemd.com.
Robert Peter GALE, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. (Hon.), F.A.C.P.
Partner
Fumi OKUMURA
Partner
Head of AZCA’s Tokyo Office. Fumi has over 20 years of experience in technology oriented strategic planning, including ICT strategy development at NTT Communications, and strategy consulting in MOT, digital information and communications, video and content services, tourism strategies, etc. at Corporate Direction (CDI). He is an honorary Member of the Taiwan Institute of Information and Communication Society and an advisor to WildAid (U.S. NGO). BA in French Literature from Waseda University and MBA from Keio University.
Fumi OKUMURA
Partner
Shota ISHII
Partner
A member of AZCA’s DX Practice. Shota has specialized in the intersection of data science & AI, product design / architecture, and innovation consulting across various financial institutions and start-ups across Europe, US, and Asia. He has a broad experience ranging from the establishment of State Street’s GX Labs at in San Francisco to leading fintech and other technology start-ups in Japan and France, as well as consulting for major financial institutions, leading manufacturers, and government entities. B.S. in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Shota ISHII
Partner
Sunil MAULIK, Ph. D.
Partner
Sunil has over thirty years of experience in Silicon Valley in life science, informatics and AI, including workshops for technology and healthcare industries in these fields and mentoring over 150 startups via the NIH and DoE SBIR/CAP programs. Prior to joining AZCA, Sunil was CEO of three companies (ImpactGoGo, Encircl and GeneEd), and held senior management positions at Tripos (NASDAQ:TRPS), Hoffmann-La Roche (NYSE: ROCHE), Oxford Molecular (LSE: OXMOL), and IntelliGenetics. Education in Biophysics (Ph.D., Brandeis University), X-Ray Crystallography (M.Sc., Birkbeck College, University of London), and Physics and Biology (B.Sc., King’s College, University of London).
Sunil MAULIK, Ph. D.
Partner
Masa ISHII
Managing Partner
Masa has over 30 years of experience as a professional in international business and high technology. While managing AZCA, Inc., he has been active as a venture capitalist over the past 20 years. Currently, he is particularly focusing on supporting the establishment and operation of CVCs (corporate venture capital) for Japanese companies.
Prior to establishing AZCA in 1985, Masa worked with McKinsey & Company, Inc. and with IBM Japan. Also, he is currently an Academic Advisor to Toyo University and a Visiting Professor at Chubu University in Japan. B. Engineering from Tokyo University, MS in Computer Science from Stanford University.
Masazumi (“Masa”) ISHII is a Managing Partner of AZCA, Inc., a professional firm based in Menlo Park, California, which provides consulting and investment banking services to technology-based companies to achieve their corporate development objectives in the Asia-Pacific markets. Based on his thirty years of experience as a professional in international business and high technology, Masa has supported numerous companies in North America, as well as Japan and other parts of Asia, in formulating and implementing their strategies on international businesses and new venture development.
While presiding over AZCA, Masa has been involved in the venture capital industry since 1987, and most recently, he was a Managing Director of Noventi, a VC firm based in Menlo Park, until 2015.
Prior to establishing AZCA in 1985, Masa was a senior management consultant at McKinsey & Company, Inc., where he planned and managed projects for numerous corporations in Japan, Europe and the United States, focusing on international diversification strategies. He was an active member of the firm’s Technology Practice and Electronics Practice. He was also instrumental in developing the firm’s Pacific Rim Practice in providing East-West links for companies entering new markets and establishing businesses on both sides of the Pacific.
Before joining McKinsey, Masa was an influential contributor in the computer industry for more than a decade, including eight years with IBM in Japan. While at IBM, Masa was involved in a broad range of technical and management activities, and co-authored two books on IBM’s database and data communications architecture.
Masa serves or has served on the board and the advisory board of several multinational companies, including Logitech, Inc., Alien Technology, iFire Technology, PARC, among others. In particular, he was a Senior Executive Advisor to PARC (Palo Alto Research Center), a Xerox company, from 2006 to 2012. He also serves or has served on the board of various associations, including the Japan Society of Northern California and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Northern California (President in 2007). He was a member of the US-Japan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council between 2011 and 2013 where he worked very closely with the governments of both US and Japan. Also, Masa was invited to the Business Briefing meetings at the White House several times between 2012 and 2015 to discuss various business, environmental, and economic issues facing the US.
Masa is a frequent speaker and writer on issues involving innovation and entrepreneurship as well as international corporate development and is a well-recognized member of the US – North America business infrastructure. He was a visiting professor at Waseda University Business School and at Graduate School of Engineering, Shizuoka University, both until 2019. Currently he is an Academic Advisor at Toyo University and a Visiting Professor at Chubu University. He also works closely with the Government of Japan, in particular as a member of several committees of MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).
Masa holds a Bachelor of Engineering in mathematical engineering and instrumentation physics from the University of Tokyo and a Master of Science in computer science from Stanford University.
Masa ISHII
Managing Partner
Wayne DOIGUCHI
Partner
Leader of AZCA’s Finance Practice. Wayne has more than 25 years of experience in finance, having worked at Bank of Tokyo and Union Bank of California. He managed many cross-border transactions at Park Plaza Investment Company and Strata Ventures, LLC. He also served as Chairman of Pan Pacific Bank, a regional bank in the Bay Area. Currently he serves as a board member of California Bank of Commerce. BA from UCLA, MBA from Santa Clara University.
Wayne DOIGUCHI
Partner
Haru KATO
Partner
Haru has over 10 years of venture capital experience at Dali Hook Partners and KeyNote Ventures. Previously he worked with NEC both in Japan and US in various managerial positions in strategic planning and corporate venture capital. MS in Engineering from Tokyo University, attended MIT’s Sloan School.
Haru KATO
Partner
Manabu TSUYAMA
Partner
Manabu has more than 20 years of experience as Corporate Executive Staff in strategic R&D planning and new business development, and more than 15 years of experience in open innovation, global partnership and strategic alliances mainly with US companies, as General Manager, both at Sony Corporation. B. Engineering from Tokyo University.
Manabu TSUYAMA
Partner
Serdar UCKUN, Ph.D.
Partner
Serdar leads AZCA’s Boston Office. He has over 20 years of experience as corporate executive, R&D leader, and consultant for world-class organizations including NASA, Xerox PARC, and Rockwell. In addition, he has started two high-tech companies. His interest areas include Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and life sciences / biotech. He has substantial experience in US-Japan R&D partnerships, strategic alliances, intellectual property management and M&A. Education in Medicine (M.D., Ege University) Biomedical Engineering (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University), and Computer Science (Postdoc, Stanford University).
Serdar UCKUN, Ph.D.
Partner
Robert Peter GALE, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. (Hon.), F.A.C.P.
Partner
Bob heads AZCA’s Healthcare Practice. He is recognized internationally for his expertise and track record in medicine, especially hematology and oncology, clinical research, transplantation, molecular biology and immunology. Often called on by nations to deal with nuclear and radiation accidents. His medical and research contributions include over 850 scientific articles and over 20 books. Bob’s experience in the biotechnology industry includes Astra-Zeneca, Trition Biosciences, Antigenics Inc, ZIOPHARM, POSCO BioVentures, and most recently Celgene Corporation where he is Executive Director, Clinical Research. Hobart College (AB with high honors, Biology and Chemistry), State University of New York at Buffalo (MD), UCLA (Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology), Albany Medical College (D.Sc.), Hobart College (L.H.D.), MacMurray College (D.P.S.).
More at www.robertpetergalemd.com.
Robert Peter Gale, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. (Hon.), F.A.C.P.
Partner
Fumi OKUMURA
Partner
Head of AZCA’s Tokyo Office. Fumi has over 20 years of experience in technology oriented strategic planning, including ICT strategy development at NTT Communications, and strategy consulting in MOT, digital information and communications, video and content services, tourism strategies, etc. at Corporate Direction (CDI). He is an honorary Member of the Taiwan Institute of Information and Communication Society and an advisor to WildAid (U.S. NGO). BA in French Literature from Waseda University and MBA from Keio University.
Fumi OKUMURA
Partner
Shota ISHII
Partner
A member of AZCA’s DX Practice. Shota has specialized in the intersection of data science & AI, product design / architecture, and innovation consulting across various financial institutions and start-ups across Europe, US, and Asia. He has a broad experience ranging from the establishment of State Street’s GX Labs at in San Francisco to leading fintech and other technology start-ups in Japan and France, as well as consulting for major financial institutions, leading manufacturers, and government entities. B.S. in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Shota ISHII
Partner
Sunil MAULIK, Ph. D.
Partner
Sunil has over thirty years of experience in Silicon Valley in life science, informatics and AI, including workshops for technology and healthcare industries in these fields and mentoring over 150 startups via the NIH and DoE SBIR/CAP programs. Prior to joining AZCA, Sunil was CEO of three companies (ImpactGoGo, Encircl and GeneEd), and held senior management positions at Tripos (NASDAQ:TRPS), Hoffmann-La Roche (NYSE: ROCHE), Oxford Molecular (LSE: OXMOL), and IntelliGenetics. Education in Biophysics (Ph.D., Brandeis University), X-Ray Crystallography (M.Sc., Birkbeck College, University of London), and Physics and Biology (B.Sc., King’s College, University of London).
Sunil MAULIK, Ph. D.
Partner
SERVICE
Corporate Development
Specializing in the Asia Pacific region, AZCA provides management consulting and investment banking services to clients worldwide. We enable our clients to keep pace with global dynamics through our expertise in conducting business and achieving results in the international marketplace. Our analytical techniques, together with our experience in the workings of each country’s business infrastructure, are instrumental to our clients’ success.
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Formulating international strategies for Japan and other Asia-Pacific markets
- Market/product opportunity and feasibility studies
- Technology searches and evaluations
- Competitive company analyses
- Restoration of existing operations in local markets
- Comprehensive strategies for entering local markets
Implementing business models and partnership arrangements to meet specific objectives
- Technology licensing
- Jointly-sponsored R&D programs
- Product development or localization arrangements
- Manufacturing and distribution agreements
- Joint-venture companies
- Wholly-owned subsidiaries in local markets
Defining and implementing financing strategies
- Securing funding from corporate investors
- Assessing strategic investment opportunities in local markets
- Arranging mergers and acquisitions
- Arranging leveraged buyouts
Digital transformation (DX) is the process of using digital technologies to create new business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements.
DX is the comprehensive set of initiatives that enterprises must take in order to benefit from the efficiencies and benefits of Industry 4.0. It is expected that DX will generate over US$10 Trillion of added value over the next ten years.
The Japanese industry is lagging behind many other industrialized countries in DX and Industry 4.0 adoption. METI is concerned about a “2025 Digital Cliff” after which Japan may suffer an economic loss of up to 12 trillion yen per year due to failure to achieve DX. AZCA offers a comprehensive AZCA Digital Transformation (DX) Program for Japanese companies. The practice includes:
- DX Readiness Assessment: Three-week study conducted on site and remotely, including a thorough assessment of company DX readiness status, prioritized recommendations, a full report including assessment of company DX readiness with respect to peers in the same industry, and a briefing of findings to senior management.
- DX Strategy and Implementation: Customized 3-6 month long study to prepare a comprehensive DX plan and to implement initial steps for DX in the areas of Operations, Human Resources, Customer Relations, Supply Chain Relations, and Production.
IIoT refers to sensors, actuators, and other smart devices networked together with industrial control systems. Common IIoT applications include discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, energy management, and smart cities. The connectivity aspect of IIoT allows for large-scale data collection, data mining, and predictive analytics, resulting in productivity and efficiency improvements as well as other economic benefits.
IIoT is helping transform manufacturing and energy industries which have difficulties due to aging workforces and talent shortage. IIoT can transform traditional, linear manufacturing supply chains into dynamic, interconnected systems. IIoT improves the way products are manufactured and delivered to customers, increasing customer satisfaction, improving product quality, and reducing manufacturing costs.
AZCA’s IIoT Practice helps Japanese industrial partners navigate the complex and confusing world of IIoT. The practice includes:
- IIoT Readiness Assessment: a two-week on-site study of company IT and OT systems and production processes designed to highlight areas of rapid improvement and to develop a long-term plan for IIoT integration into current practice
- IIoT Consulting: Custom 3-6 month engagements to develop IIoT implementation roadmaps, to identify and foster IIoT technology and deployment partnerships, and to help companies deploy IIoT technologies across the enterprise
After flourishing as a largely academic endeavor for over forty years, AI has emerged as a household term during the last decade.
Advances in AI impact all aspects of business including supply chain management, customer relationships, product development, production, market research, and sales. Companies that use AI technologies effectively are more likely to complete their Digital Transformation and achieve productivity improvements, better customer satisfaction, and higher profits.
With its staff specializing in AI and related technology areas, AZCA is well suited to support corporate clients with their AI projects aimed at business transformation.
There are tremendous advances in life sciences including novel therapeutics, tissue engineering, implantable devices, smart prosthetics, and technologies to help the aging population live healthy and productive lives. With its strong Life Science practice, AZCA helps emerging life science companies outside Japan to establish lucrative markets in Japan, and helps Japanese life science companies source new technologies abroad that could lead to significant competitive advantage.
Recent AZCA engagements in life sciences include:
- Business development for a novel therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders in the US
- Industry analysis and competitive strategy for ion channel drug discovery
- Technology search in medical devices
- Entry strategy in Digital Health
Environmental problems centered on climate variability are becoming more and more serious. AZCA supports business development utilizing elemental technologies including hardware and software for the realization of a recycling-oriented economy, innovative low-carbon technologies for materials, and the realization of smart communities.
- Strategy in waste water management and water purification
- Strategy for REDOX Flow battery system
- Strategic partnership in fuel cell
- Strategic partnership in transparent solar panel
The use of big data analytics and digital technologies such as blockchain is causing disruptive innovation in traditional financial products and services. AZCA supports clients in areas such as cryptocurrencies, investment / asset management / robo-advisors, and asset management optimization.
Emerging Technologies promise better products and higher revenues, but it might be difficult to differentiate truly revolutionary technologies from hype or science fiction. Examples include highly publicized technologies such as blockchain and quantum computing. With a staff well-versed in various emerging technologies, AZCA could be your partner in identifying companies and partners with effective, practical solutions and avoiding those whose products are not mature or simply deficient. Recent AZCA projects focusing on emerging technology areas include:
- Blockchain
- Cyber security
- Quantum computing (hardware and software)
- Autonomous car
- Conversational voice AI
- Innovative peptide synthesis
- Intracellular drug discovery
- Neuroscience
CLIENTS
Experience in North America
BLOG
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Automating Drug Discovery
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CONTACT
Headquarters
AZCA, Inc. Headquarters
525 Middlefield Road, Suite 120
Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
Main: +1 (650) 324-9100
Teruyo WILSON (Office Manager)
Masa ISHII (Representative Managing Partner)
Boston Office
AZCA, Inc. Boston Office
45 Prospect Street
Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Main: +1 (650) 743-7192
Serdar UCKUN (Representative Partner)
Tokyo Office
AZCA, Inc. Tokyo Office
(AZCA, LLC.)
Ark Hills Executive Tower S601
1-14-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
Tel: +81 (0)50-3567-9100
Mariko TAKAYOSHI (Administration)
Fumi OKUMURA (Representative Partner)
Tel: +81 (80) 9031-7406 Direct
Affiliates: Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei