Hiro Nishiguchi

Serial Entrepreneur, Innovation and SDGs Specialist, Startup Ecosystem Builder, Certified Innovation Management System (IMS) Professional

Professional Overview

Hiro Nishiguchi is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and the development of robust startup ecosystems. As a Certified IMS Professional by RISE (Sweden), he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to drive transformative change. Hiro currently serves as the Co-founder and leader at Startup Genome, leveraging his deep industry knowledge to foster innovation and support the growth of promising startups.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

• Co-founder and Leader, Startup Genome (2023-Present)

• Spearheading the development of a comprehensive startup ecosystem and innovation management system to propel businesses towards sustainable growth.

• Driving the implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative solutions and cross-sector collaborations.

• President & Representative Director, JBP | Japan Bosai Platform (2014-Present)

• Providing strategic leadership in building a national platform for disaster prevention and resilience, fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia.

• Overseeing the development and deployment of innovative technologies and disaster management strategies to enhance Japan's disaster preparedness.

• VP and Chief Innovation Officer, Advent Group, Inc. (2022-Present)

• Responsible for driving the company's innovation agenda, identifying new growth opportunities, and ensuring the integration of sustainable practices.

• Leading the development and implementation of cutting-edge innovation management systems to support Advent Group's clients in achieving their strategic objectives.

Career Progression

• CEO, Japan Innovation Network (2019-2022)

• Led the transformation of Japan Innovation Network into a prominent hub for driving innovation and fostering collaboration between startups, corporations, and government agencies.

• Spearheaded the development of industry-leading programs and initiatives to accelerate the commercialization of innovative solutions.

• Co-founder and Executive Managing Director, Japan Innovation Network (2013-2019)

• Co-founded Japan Innovation Network and played a pivotal role in establishing it as a leading platform for innovation and entrepreneurship in Japan.

• Drove the creation of strategic partnerships, ecosystem-building initiatives, and capacity-building programs to support the growth of the startup community.

• Worldwide Partner, Mercer (2001-2009)

• Advised global clients on human capital management, organizational transformation, and talent development strategies.

• Leveraged his expertise in human resources and organizational design to help clients unlock their full potential.

Academic Background

Hiro Nishiguchi holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Tokyo, where he specialized in innovation management and entrepreneurship. His academic achievements include research publications and industry recognition for his contributions to the field of innovation and sustainability.

Areas of Expertise

• Innovation management and system design

• Startup ecosystem development and acceleration

• Sustainable development and impact-driven entrepreneurship

• Cross-sector collaboration and public-private partnerships

• Organizational transformation and talent management

Professional Impact

• Spearheaded the creation of the Japan Innovation Network, a prominent platform that has fostered numerous successful startups and driven innovation across various industries.

• Played a key role in the development of Japan's national disaster prevention and resilience platform, JBP, driving the integration of innovative technologies and strategies to enhance the country's disaster preparedness.

• Served as a thought leader and industry expert, contributing to conferences, publications, and advisory roles focused on innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

With a proven track record as a serial entrepreneur and innovation specialist, Hiro Nishiguchi is poised to drive transformative change and sustainable growth in the startup ecosystem. His deep expertise in innovation management, ecosystem building, and SDG-aligned entrepreneurship positions him as a valuable asset in guiding organizations and communities towards a more innovative and sustainable future.