Joined Sakana AI after working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Clifford Chance, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, and Sumitomo Corporation Global Research. Currently manages defense and intelligence projects and conducts research and analysis on AI and national security. Holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tokyo, a Master’s degree from Stanford University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).

Mark Edwards is the Chief Investment Officer at Alumni Ventures, a leading venture capital firm that has raised over $1.8 billion of investor capital. Included in this capital base is the recently announced Japan + U.S. Bridge Fund, in partnership with KDDI and The University of Tokyo IPC. In his capacity as CIO, Mr. Edwards directs all investment, portfolio management and capital allocation activity and oversees a team of approximately 40 investment professionals.

Prior to joining Alumni Ventures in 2021, Mr. Edwards worked for more than two decades in the private equity industry for firms including DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and JLL Partners. Previously, he was investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Over the course of his career, Mr. Edwards has served on the boards of numerous private companies and is currently a Director at Alumni Ventures and Verantum Inc. Mr. Edwards holds a B.A. with Honors from Stanford University and an MBA with Distinction from Dartmouth College, where he graduated as an Edward Tuck Scholar.