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Our team envisions a future where the digital economy has expanded, and fans move between the physical and digital worlds with entertainment connected ever closer to their normal daily lives.

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Portfolio

Code Charm
Flickplay
GGWP Inc.
Anzu Virtual Reality Ltd.
SuperGaming Pte. Ltd.
DeepMotion Inc.
Mirrativ, Inc.
Gangbusters Ltd

Team

Japan Member
Jun Ikeda
Japan Member
Masakazu Aisaka
Japan Member
Kazuki Ikeda
Japan Member
Marin Matsubara
Japan Member
Yoyo Yang
US Member
Karim Farghaly
US Member
Pablo Rodriguez Fernandez
Europe Member
Jérôme Dureau
Japan Member
Satoshi Iwasaki
Japan Member
Masashi Umeda
Japan Member
Yuta Kazama
Japan Member
Natsuhiro Maruyama
Japan Member
Keisuke Kitamura
Japan Member
Airy Matsuda
Contact

Click on the “Contact” button for more information on the Bandai Namco Entertainment 021 Fund

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Japan Member
Jun Ikeda
Joined Bandai Namco Studio, in 2015 after working for a human resources company; Bandai Namco Entertainment since 2022.
At a human resources company, he worked in new business, corporate planning and PMI for acquired companies; at Bandai Namco Studio, he was responsible for the establishment of an overseas studio before taking on the role of head of corporate headquarters, overseeing the administration department. Involved in the group's accelerator program, and has been in Bandai Namco Entertainment's Corporate Planning Unit since 2022.
Japan Member
Masakazu Aisaka
He joined Namco(Now Bandai Namco Entertainment) in 2005 and has experience in legal and intellectual property, corporate planning and business planning, including supporting the establishment and start-up of domestic and foreign companies. Currently in charge of the team in charge of formulating and implementing management strategies in the Corporate Planning Department, he is involved in investment operations and 021 Fund activities as a follow-up to M&A and alliance activities.
Japan Member
Kazuki Ikeda
Kazuki joined Bandai Namco Entertainment in 2020 after working on M&A projects at a trading company. Past projects include cross-border M&A, small-scale minority investments, venture investments, and general business development. At BNE, he was in charge of launching the company’s M&A team and CVC fund, and now oversees various initiatives including development and promotion of the company’s alliance program (investment into development companies) and business development of CVC fund’s portfolio companies.
Japan Member
Marin Matsubara
Marin joined Bandai Namco Entertainment in 2021 after working on business development at a notable system integration company. He oversaw everything from planning and marketing of a large-scale business system for hospitals, general business planning, business engagement and negotiations, to system deliveries. He is currently in charge of business development and relations with the portfolio companies, while overseeing investment activities in general.
Japan Member
Yoyo Yang
Yoyo has a Ph.D in International Relations and has experience in both startup and corporate VC industries for many years. In BNE 021 Fund, she mainly oversees global investment and business collaboration. She is a trilingual speaker in Mandarin, English and Japanese.
US Member
Karim Farghaly
Karim Farghaly joined Bandai Namco Entertainment America (BNEA) in 2015 and currently serves as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development.In his current role, Karim oversees a team of 25 located at BNEA’s Southern California HQ who handle Content Partnerships and Acquisition, Brand Development for PAC-MAN and GUNDAM, esports and live entertainment, IP Licensing and M&A.Prior to joining BNEA, Karim held multiple positions in the game industry with Interplay, Aspyr, Empire Interactive and others over a 20 year career in the US and Europe.
US Member
Pablo Rodriguez Fernandez
Pablo started as a Business Analyst for Bandai Namco Entertainment Iberica in Madrid back in June 2012. Over 10 years later, he is currently the Senior Business Development Manager for Bandai Namco Entertainment America.
Pablo specializes in Publishing and Distribution partnerships to bring new content to our portfolio including games like The Dark Pictures.
Europe Member
Jérôme Dureau
Jerome joined Bandai Namco Europe in 2013 and is specializing in transformation programs.
During his career, Jerome successfully launched multiple high profile videogame titles across EMEA, led innovative product developments based on new technologies, worked on various M&A transactions involving outside development studios and strengthened Bandai Namco’s footprint through Corporate development projects and Sustainability.
Jerome’s main responsibility for the Bandai Namco 021 Fund is to identify and evaluate partners which will enable Bandai Namco’s future product offerings.
Japan Member
Satoshi Iwasaki
After joining Namco in 2004, Satoshi mainly worked on developing games for the global audience. At Bandai Namco Entertainment, he oversaw the launch of a new game method consulting service and has invested in multiple startups. In 2019, he conducted an M&A of Shimane Susanoo Magic and became the head of business development to expand the company’s ticketing, fan club, and merchandise business. Satoshi joined the 021 Fund after returning to BNE in 2022.
Japan Member
Masashi Umeda
Masashi joined BANDAI in 1986. After successfully handling Gunpla marketing, he was assigned to handle new businesses outside of the toy market such as planning and development of events and participation in the mobile gaming business. At Bandai Namco Entertainment, he applied his experience as a game creator to his role within the game method consulting business and spread the business into markets outside of game development. He holds a vast network within the Group and is seeking to connect the company’s current business with different startups.
Japan Member
Yuta Kazama
After joining Bandai Namco Entertainment in 2019, Yuta worked on company analytics and budgeting services, and is now in charge of preparing mid-term business plans for company units. He also oversees executive planned projects, while aiding with investments in development companies and business entities from areas relative to the current line of BNE’s business.
Japan Member
Natsuhiro Maruyama
Natsuhiro “Hiro” Maruyama joined the fund in the end of 2022, initially to oversee international communications and now expanding his responsibilities to handle international deals in general. Upon completing his studies in the US, Hiro previously worked in the music industry, supporting musicians visiting Japan and coordinating live events.
Japan Member
Keisuke Kitamura
Keisuke joined BNE in 2023 and subsequently joined the 021 Fund. Keisuke is mainly in charge of researching (including sourcing domestic deals) and monitoring the Fund's portfolio companies.
Japan Member
Airy Matsuda
Airy (pronounced eye-ree) joined BNE in 2023. Prior to that, she worked in a bridal company, holding positions in IR and PR teams before participating in an in-group entrepreneurship program. Through the program, Airy founded and became the CEO of a subsidiary that handled the EC business. Leveraging her experience in marketing and business development, Airy is in charge of the general investment pipeline along with PR activities for the 021 Fund.