How Daiki Yamashita Is Driving Sekisui's Global Expansion from Silicon Valley

From chemical engineering to Silicon Valley's startup scene, one leader is reshaping Sekisui's future. His secret? Human connections over algorithms. Yamashita's unconventional path reveals why corporate venture capital thrives on bold risks.

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2026 March 24 . 1:01 AM

1 min read

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How Daiki Yamashita Is Driving Sekisui's Global Expansion from Silicon Valley

Daiki Yamashita, General Manager of Corporate Venture Capital at Sekisui America Corporation, is leading the company's push into global markets. His career spans chemical engineering, startup investments, and now a key role in expanding Sekisui's presence in North America.

Yamashita began as a chemical engineer at Ricoh before shifting to corporate venture capital in 2014. He later joined KDDI, where he invested in startups and guided their business growth. While the exact number of startups he supported remains unspecified, his work at KDDI confirmed his focus on early-stage innovation.

In 2024, he relocated to Silicon Valley to deepen Sekisui's ties with U.S. startups. His background in materials science and chemistry helps bridge AI with real-world applications. As Sekisui's sole early-stage investment representative in North America, he seeks partnerships to strengthen the firm's innovation pipeline. For Yamashita, direct engagement with startup leaders is crucial. Though he uses generative AI tools, he stresses that human communication drives successful investments. His approach earned him recognition in the *Emerging Leaders* programme, which highlights mid-career professionals making significant contributions to corporate venture capital.

Yamashita's move to Silicon Valley reflects Sekisui's strategy to expand beyond Japan's limited domestic market. His expertise in both technology and venture capital positions him to identify high-potential startups. The company now relies on his leadership to build stronger global innovation networks.