Kensei Sumita is founder and CEO of Academic Industry Research Inc. (AIR). AIR, based in the Kyoto and Kansai metropolitan area, contributes as a private organization to the development of regional innovation ecosystem through start-ups creation. Prior to founding AIR, Mr. Sumita joined Osaka University’s Office for University-Industry Collaboration in 2004-2013. He worked in Business Development, responsible for the commercialization of technologies from the fields of physical sciences and life sciences. In 2008-2009, he experienced the commercialization of all technologies as Industry-University-Government collaboration coordinator at The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology in Japan and The University of Tokyo. He assisted in the formation of 20 startups companies during 15 years. He received a MS in Marine Science from Kobe University and a BS in Earth & Life Science from Osaka Prefecture University.
