In 2023, Shun Sagara packed up his life in Tokyo, convinced his wife, and moved with his young family to Bengaluru — all to chase a bold dream: helping shape the future of Indian startups through venture capital.
As a partner at Genesia Ventures, a Japan-based VC firm, Sagara is now the sole representative of his company in India. Tasked with identifying and investing in India’s next big tech innovators, he’s placed himself in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting startup ecosystems — and hasn’t looked back since.
From Software Sales to Global Startup Ambitions
Sagara’s journey began in Japan, where he worked for five years in sales roles at an enterprise software firm. In 2019, he made the leap into venture capital by joining Genesia Ventures. It didn’t take long before expansion became part of his mission.
“By my second year, we were already looking outside Japan. We had some presence in Southeast Asia, but India kept coming up in conversations,” Sagara explains. “It aligned with my ambition to be in a high-growth, globally relevant market. India just made sense.”
His interest in India wasn’t based on cultural fascination — not curry or Bollywood — but rather on the scale of opportunity.
“I once spoke to a Japanese founder who said I was the only VC among 20 or 30 who understood enterprise businesses,” he recalls. “That was flattering, but it also hit me — maybe I was playing in the wrong league. India’s startup scene wasn’t just vibrant, it was building the infrastructure of a rising economic power.”
Convincing the Family
Relocating to another country — especially one as dynamic and different as India — is never a light decision, especially with a family in tow.
“My wife was a flight attendant and had flown to Delhi before. She didn’t have great memories of it — the air quality, spicy food, safety concerns,” Sagara says. “But I told her Bengaluru isn’t Delhi. It’s greener, safer, and more cosmopolitan.”
After plenty of conversations, she agreed. The family landed in Bengaluru in mid-2023, ready to begin a new chapter.
And now? “We love it,” he says with a smile. “We love raising our children here. The hospitality, the warmth — it’s been incredible.”
Building India’s Next Giants
As Genesia Ventures’ only employee in India, Sagara operates with a focused mission: invest early in startups that can become global leaders.
“Our first checks are usually around $500,000, with follow-ons up to $1.5 million,” he says. “We’re not just looking for growth — we’re looking for global potential. Can this founder build something that not only works in India, but leads the world?”
He’s particularly excited about sectors like enterprise SaaS, infrastructure tech, and climate-focused innovation — areas where Indian startups are increasingly making a mark.
The India-Japan Startup Bridge
Sagara also sees himself as a bridge between two countries that often stay out of the spotlight.
“India and Japan have so much to offer each other. But we’re not front and center like the U.S. or China. I want to change that — by connecting capital, ideas, and people.”
He sees potential for Japanese investors to back Indian founders, and for Indian startups to tap into Japan’s advanced technology and business ethics.
“Sometimes, Japanese investors don’t understand the chaos and speed of Indian markets. And Indian founders might not know how to navigate Japanese formality. That’s where I come in.”
A New Home, A New Purpose
Two years into this journey, Sagara says the move has been transformative — both personally and professionally.
“India teaches you humility. Things don’t always go as planned. But the people, the energy — they inspire you every day.”
He doesn’t see himself leaving any time soon.
“India feels like home now. And I feel like I’m in the right place — at the right time — helping build the future.”
Source:https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-tokyo-bengaluru-japan-india-vc-family-2025-8
