Noriatsu Furukawa (Representative Director)

2001-2005: BSc in Earth and Planetary Physics, University of Tokyo.
– Conducted research in cosmic fluid dynamics simulations
2006-2007: MSc in Creative Informatics, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Information Science and Technology​
– Researched high-speed robot hands and high-speed vision; project gained media attention for a robot that always wins at rock-paper-scissors.​
– Awards: Best Manipulation Paper Award (2006 IEEE Int. Conf. on Robotics and Automation), 2006 IEEE Robotics & Automation Society Japan Chapter Young Award, ROBOMEC Award (Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers).
– International Research: Conducted research at MIT CSAIL.
2007-2010: Consultant, McKinsey & Company (Japan)
– Advised major clients in semiconductors, pharma, retail, finance, and private equity on corporate strategy, global expansion, productivity improvement, SCM, and M&A due diligence.
2010-2022: Advantage Partners / Advantage Advisors
– Appointed Director of Advantage Advisors and Head of Listed Company Growth Support Private Investment Fund in 2017. Became Partner in 2020 and a member of the AP Executive Committee in 2022.
– Led management of approximately USD 530 million in funds (InfleXion II Fund, AA Growth Support Fund).
– Executed approximately 40 investments totaling approximately USD 670 million in both listed and buyout deals. Key listed company investments include: Food Service (Fujio Food System, ArcLand Service, Monogatari Corporation, Hiramatsu), IT (Visasq, E-Store, Metaps, Wellnet), Manufacturing (Ferrotec, Itoki, Meiko), and others (Taisei Oncho, StarFlyer, Canvas). Handled buyouts such as Net Protections, Oisix, and MP Kitchen.
– Provided hands-on support for growth strategy, M&A, DX, cost reduction, and overseas expansion.
2022–Present: Founded Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in Sep 2022. Fund operations began in Oct 2023
– Managing PIPEs and buyout investments (approximately USD 45 million).
– Current portfolio companies include: Takakyu (8166/Men’s Apparel Retail), Lancers (4484/Freelance PF), b-plats (4381/Subscription PF), No.1 (3562/IT Equipment Sales), Nippon Asia Investment (8518/VC), Kuramoto Seisakusho (5216/Robots), Din Tai Fung (Xiaolongbao restaurant), Merveille (Optical Fiber Sales).
– Certified Institutional Investor, recognized as one of the “Top 10 Founders in Japan – 2024” by CEO Insights Asia.
（Outside Director Positions）
– Current: Takakyu (8166), Lancers (4484), Din Tai Fung, Merveille, Prored Partners (7034), Bullpass Capital.
– Former: ArcLand Service HD (formerly 3085), Hiramatsu (2764), E-Store (4304), GRCS (9250), Pixela (6731), Nippon Power Fastening (5950), MP Kitchen, J-FOODS HONG KONG LIMITED.

Reina Adachi (Senior Associate)

Graduated from Keio University with a degree in Commerce.
Spent 6 years in investment banking and capital markets at BofA Securities Inc. (formerly Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd.), advising listed companies on M&A and fundraising strategies and executing deals.
From 2021, concurrently led the launch of the Sustainability team, providing comprehensive advisory services on ESG finance (bonds, equities), sustainability-related disclosures, ratings, and regulatory compliance for Japanese companies.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in October 2023. Currently responsible for Takakyu and Lancers.

Yumi Kawate (Associate)

Graduated from the University of Tokyo with a degree in Law.
Spent approximately 4.5 years in investment banking at Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., primarily assisting companies with IPO preparation, including internal control system establishment, business plan formulation, and performance management.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in February 2024. Serves as an outside director for Takakyu (8166) and Merveille. Currently responsible for b-plats, TORICO, and Din Tai Fung.

Yuichi Kariya (Associate)

Graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in Economics and Business Administration.
Spent approximately 2.5 years in commercial banking at MUFG Bank, Ltd., providing lending and business succession support to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Seconded to Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd. for approximately 3 years, engaged in bond underwriting, including ESG bonds, from origination to execution.
Worked as a Strategy Consultant at Accenture Inc. for over a year, supporting management efficiency improvements through KPI design and business process re-engineering.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in May 2025. Currently responsible for Lancers and TORICO.

Taisei Takahashi (Analyst)

Completed his Master’s degree in Electronic Information Systems Engineering at the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology.
Spent approximately 2 years at McKinsey & Company, Inc. Japan, engaged in business due diligence for M&A targets, strategy formulation, operational improvement, and cost reduction for companies.
Spent approximately 2 years at a generative AI-related SaaS company, engaged in a wide range of tasks including corporate planning, business development, and sales.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in July 2025. Currently responsible for b-plats and Merveille.

Mr. Y (Analyst)

Scheduled to join Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in August 2025.

Nozomi Sakuma (Research Analyst)

Graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in Literature.
Joined Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, where she engaged in a wide range of tasks including branch operations, sales staff support, and insurance claim assessment.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in May 2025. Currently responsible for b-plats.

Kanon Oda (Assistant)

Graduated from Rikkyo Jogakuin Junior College with a degree in Contemporary Communication.
Experienced in customer service and corporate sales at Wacoal, human resource development at AWAKE GATE Human Resource Development Department, customer service and sales for foreign apparel brands at Blue Bell Japan, assistant duties at SHANANI ASSOCIATES, and corporate sales at KDDI Partner Business Division.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in September 2022.

Mayu Kataoka (Assistant)

Graduated from Rikkyo University with a degree in Literature.
Engaged in assistant duties at Japan Custody Bank, Ltd.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in April 2025.

Kodai Chomaru (Intern)

Currently enrolled in the Faculty of Economics at Keio University.
Conducted management consulting for approximately six months at IGPI Singapore, focusing on overseas expansion and M&A support.
Engaged in bottom-up research and fundamental analysis of Japanese stocks at Globe Advisors Inc. for approximately one year.
Joined Growth Partners Co., Ltd. in October 2024.