Ren is an entrepreneur, investor and former diplomat.

 

Ren took the lead on the global expansion of Mercari, Japan's first unicorn start-up running the fastest-growing marketplace app.  Ren served as CEO of Mercari Europe, as well as successfully orchestrated its IPO valuing the company at $6bn.  Ren founded Solaris Fund Management and has invested in a number of leading unicorn start-ups in fintech and AI space, including AI unicorns like Afiniti and Stability AI. 

 

Prior to venturing into the entrepreneurial challenges, Ren spent 15 years in diplomacy.  He held key positions in the Japanese Foreign Service where he worked on the security alliance with the US, negotiated a free trade agreement with the EU, and represented Japan at the World Bank board. 

 

Ren continues to be involved in public policy debates on technological innovation and international politics as Senior Fellow at New York University (NYU) School of Law.  Ren is the youngest member of the Trilateral Commission.