Isao Sato

Manager

Isao Sato comes from a strong background of sales, product development, marketing, and brand management within the business divisions of a major food company. He also has a background in corporate functions, where he contributed to redefining business domains and developing a comprehensive plan for organizational restructuring. In 2020, he joined Honda Research & Development Co., Ltd. (HG), serving in the Development Strategy Office as a PMO for new business initiatives in the eVTOL and marine sectors. Following that, in the Corporate Planning division at Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HM), he played a key role in establishing Honda’s corporate venturing function. This was part of broader efforts to enhance open innovation, which included launching the CVC initiative. Currently, he is seconded to Honda Innovations Inc., where he acts as a liaison with Honda’s main operations. His responsibilities include overseeing investment proposals, conducting due diligence, executing contracts, monitoring post-investment outcomes, and driving value creation.