Business Expansion from Japan into Silicon Valley, Opportunities and Challenges ~The Case of DeNA~

The Stanford Silicon Valley-New Japan Project
Public Forum Series with Networking

 

Abstract:

As Silicon Valley continues to be a global center of innovation, companies from all over the world expanding into Silicon Valley face a variety of opportunities and challenges, with a wide range of lessons learned for Japanese firms as they make use of the Silicon Valley ecosystem. DeNA provides an interesting case. Founded in 1999, achieved explosive growth through a series of different business models, with particular success in mobile games and especially with the “mobage” mobile social gaming platform. DeNA entered Silicon Valley in 2008 and expanded its operation through the acquisition of San Francisco-based  smartphone gaming company, ngmoco, for $300M in 2010. Mr. Dai Watanabe has been navigating DeNA's period of transition to build a strong business base in the West. Dai will talk about DeNA's effort in Silicon Valley and his experience.

 

Speaker:

Mr. Dai Watanabe is VP of Strategy and Corporate Development since the acquisition of ngmoco. He has also served as President of DeNA Global, Inc. since its establishment in 2008 as the U.S. subsidiary of DeNA Co., Ltd.. Dai has been in charge of DeNA’s global expansion strategy and execution since 2005. Prior to his US assignment, he served as President of DeNA Beijing. Dai began his career in Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation right after graduation from Kyoto University with a bachelor degree in Archaeology.

 

 

 

Tuesday, February 17, 2015
5:00 – 5:30 pm Networking
5:30pm - 7:00pm Lecture
Cypress Semiconductor Auditorium (CISX Auditorium)

Public Welcome • Light Refreshments

The Silicon Valley - New Japan Project