Ex-Rakuten director to speak at SBR's Hottest Startups Panel Briefing 2017

Rio Inaba will tackle how business card data can help your startup.

Rio Inaba was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Sansan Global in January 2016. Inaba has almost 20 years of experience in creating successful business and marketing strategies for internet and technology companies across Asia Pacific and United States.

Prior to joining Sansan, Inaba has held the leadership position at Rakuten Asia as the president & director for New Market Development based in Singapore and Indonesia. Rio has also held several leadership positions in the US, Japan, and Asian countries with MNCs such as AT&T Internet, Black & Decker and Adidas corporation. He holds an MA in International Management from the University of Texas at Dallas.

We spoke with Inaba to find out more about his thoughts on speaking at the upcoming Singapore Business Review's 20 Hottest Startups Panel Briefing 2017, happening on July 11, 2017, 8:30-11:30AM at the Meeting Room 3345, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

What are your previous experiences and positions held that contributed to who you are as an entrepreneur today?

Rio "PopEye" Inaba has around 20 years of experience in creating successful business and marketing strategies for internet and technology companies across Asia Pacific and United States. He specialises in new market developments, cross border post acquisition management, sales & marketing management within Asia and US.

What are your key business philosophies?

"Uncover the hidden opportunity and create synergy"

Can you give us a glimpse of what you will talk about at the 20 Hottest Startups Panel Briefing 2017?

I will talk about what business cards tell us. Business cards have two crucial details: clients' data, and information on who in your company met who and when. Sansan's strength is accurate data entry of business cards (99.9%), and the visibility of company wide human connection.

We can also share how our accurate data shows how people or company are connected to each other, and what it means to our users in the short future.

The SBR 20 Hottest Startups Panel Briefing will be on July 11 at the Meeting Room 3345, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

If you are interested to attend, you may contact Nikki Quiniquini at nikkiq@charltonmediamail.com or at +65 3158 1386 ext 238.