#Japan #Securities #Startup #Chiyoda #Smart Round

Smart Round Securities Enhances Management Structure for Launch

Smart Round, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda, Tokyo, CEO: Daisuke Sunakawa), is taking significant steps towards establishing its subsidiary, Smart Round Securities. The company's mission is to create a world where startups can fully realize their potential. This newly formed subsidiary will serve as a secondary platform for unlisted equities. As part of this endeavor, Smart Round has recently announced important changes to enhance its management structure.

New Management Structure Overview

As stated in the company's March 2025 press release, preparations are underway for the registration of the first category of financial instruments businesses, focusing on special intermediation of unlisted securities. To ensure a robust governance framework as the company moves closer to its launch, Smart Round will transition to a board of directors structure and introduce a new executive team.

New Executive Team

• - President & CEO: Takuya Kano
• - COO (Chief Operating Officer): Kensei Tsuji
• - CCO (Chief Compliance Officer): Takuma Goto

Profiles of the New Executives

Takuya Kano (President & CEO)

Takuya Kano graduated from Hitotsubashi University with a degree in law. He joined Symprex in 2009 as an engineer, implementing systems for major financial institutions. In 2014, he moved to Recruit to lead projects related to ID and point-based businesses. His experience includes developing robo-advisor programs at FOLIO and new business development at Japan Digital Design within the MUFG group. In 2022, he joined Smart Round, taking responsibility for product management and as the secretary-general of the Startup Association, and is now leading the launch of Smart Round Securities.

Kensei Tsuji (COO)

Kensei Tsuji earned his degree in economics from Kyoto University. He began his career at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2008, focusing on surveillance of the equity derivatives market and business development. After gaining international experience through assignments abroad and completing an MBA overseas, Tsuji worked at Japan Securities Clearing Corporation, overseeing the development of clearance and settlement for over-the-counter transactions. Tsuji joined Smart Round in 2024 with a mission to bridge listed and unlisted markets, developing operational frameworks and fostering collaborations with partners.

Takuma Goto (CCO)

Takuma Goto graduated from Nanzan University, majoring in humanities. He joined Nomura Securities in 2014, where he handled compliance and middle-back office operations, contributing to internal management frameworks and workflow development. He later transitioned to LINE Securities, where he oversaw compliance operations and was involved in regulatory negotiations for new service launches. In 2023, he moved to fundnote, serving as a director and compliance officer, before joining Smart Round in 2025 to manage compliance for the secondary business division.

Future Prospects

Smart Round Securities aims to expedite its launch by completing the registration process for the upcoming amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, which will introduce a new category for special intermediation of unlisted securities, expected to take effect on May 1, 2025. The company is enhancing its collaborations with partners, including Nomura Holdings, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, and Mizuho Financial Group, as part of an effort to realize an operational secondary platform for unlisted equities.

About smartround

Smartround is a platform designed to streamline interactions between startups and investors by facilitating data creation and sharing. For startups, it offers services for shareholder meetings, capital policies, and stock option management, while for investors, it enhances fund-related operations such as sourcing, investment management, performance analysis, and reporting. Over 6,500 startups currently utilize the platform, with more than 70 organizations using premium services for investors and advisors.

Visit the Smartround Service Site
Read User Feedback

About Smart Round, Inc.

Company Name: Smart Round, Inc.
Location: Marunouchi Kitaguchi Building 9F, 1-6-5 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Established: May 30, 2018
Representative: Daisuke Sunakawa
Corporate Site
Career Opportunities

Media Inquiries

For inquiries regarding this announcement or Smart Round, please contact:
Smart Round PR Team
pr@smartround.com