Hi, I'm Kenji Tanaka.

Angel Investor & Strategic Advisor

Backing visionary founders building next-gen blockchain infrastructure and decentralized applications across DeFi, Zero-Knowledge, Modular Blockchains & AI.

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📖 About Me

Kenji Tanaka
6+ years of experience

I'm Kenji Tanaka — an angel investor, strategic advisor, and blockchain enthusiast supporting talented teams building the future of decentralized technologies. Over the past six years, I've collaborated with more than 30 early-stage blockchain startups across Asia and globally, guiding them from inception through successful market entry and growth.

30+ Startups
$50M+ Investments
3 Countries

My Approach

I believe great products are built on a solid foundation of technical rigor, strategic clarity, and robust ecosystems. My hands-on approach includes:

  • Technical Guidance

    In-depth guidance on blockchain architecture, ZK-rollups, DeFi protocols, and AI integration.

  • Strategic Support

    Building sustainable tokenomics, go-to-market strategies, and ecosystem partnerships.

  • Network Access

    Extensive network access connecting founders with key investors, technical talent, and growth opportunities across Asia and beyond.

Blockchain Meeting
Blockchain Conference in Tokyo, 2023

🏙 Professional Experience

2009–2013

BSc, Computer Science

University of Tokyo

University of Tokyo
2013–2016

Software Engineer

Rakuten (Tokyo)

Worked on key financial technologies powering one of Japan's largest e-commerce ecosystems.

2018–2021

Investment Lead

SkyBridge Ventures (Hong Kong)

Led investment decisions and provided strategic guidance for early-stage blockchain startups in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam.

2021–2024

Investment Lead

LongHash Ventures (Singapore)

Singapore Office
2021–2024

Technical Advisor

HashPort (Tokyo)

Providing blockchain architecture and strategic advisory services for Japanese blockchain startups, focusing on interoperability, modular infrastructure, and ecosystem partnerships.

🌏 Global Reach & Local Expertise

Fluent in Japanese and English, I've been fortunate to be deeply rooted in Tokyo's innovation ecosystem while actively participating in Singapore's thriving Web3 community. My strong relationships with leading blockchain hubs (including Seoul, Hong Kong, and Ho Chi Minh City) enable me to effectively bridge markets, cultures, and technology domains.

Asia Map

💡 Beyond Work

Outside of my professional sphere, I enjoy mentoring young blockchain enthusiasts, contributing to open-source blockchain initiatives, and exploring new technologies in artificial intelligence. In my free time, you can find me exploring Tokyo's specialty coffee shops or enjoying Singapore's street food markets.

Tokyo Coffee Shop
Singapore Street Food

📌 Investment Thesis

I'm actively investing in and advising ambitious teams building next-generation blockchain infrastructure and decentralized applications across these core areas:

📈

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

  • Perpetual DEX platforms & derivatives markets
  • Structured finance products & yield optimization
  • Innovative liquidity protocols & capital efficiency
  • On-chain data analytics & DeFi intelligence tools
🔐

Zero-Knowledge (ZK) & Privacy Infrastructure

  • High-performance ZK-rollups & scalability solutions
  • Confidential & secure data storage mechanisms
  • Privacy-preserving identity & compliance solutions
  • Confidential computing & fully encrypted computation
🤖

Blockchain-AI Convergence

  • Autonomous AI agents powered by smart contracts
  • Decentralized machine learning & federated AI training
  • AI-native blockchain infrastructure & data layers
  • Token-based incentive models for AI ecosystem growth
🧩

Modular & Interoperable Blockchains

  • Modular blockchain architectures & Layer-0 protocols
  • Application-specific blockchains (app-chains) & rollup solutions
  • Robust cross-chain bridging & messaging protocols
  • Interoperability solutions enhancing blockchain composability
🎮

Crypto-Native Gaming & Web3 Social

  • Web3 gaming platforms & crypto-native game economies
  • Innovative distribution & onboarding tools for gamers
  • Community-driven gaming infrastructure & decentralized governance
  • Token-gated social platforms & creator economy solutions

💼 My Portfolio

Here are a few selected projects I've actively supported, primarily as an angel investor and occasionally as an advisor:

Project Description My Role
Litentry Cross-chain decentralized identity aggregator Angel Investor
Octopus Network Appchain ecosystem built on NEAR Angel Investor
Marlin Protocol Layer-0 high-speed scaling network Angel Investor
Biconomy Relayer infra for gasless transactions Angel Investor
UniLend Permissionless DeFi lending & borrowing Angel Investor
Skor Agents Autonomous AI-driven DeFi trading agents Advisor
Koii Network Decentralized data & web content monetization Angel Investor
Razor Network Decentralized oracle for DeFi applications Angel Investor
Router Protocol Cross-chain liquidity aggregator Advisor
Epik Protocol Decentralized storage & AI data marketplace Angel Investor
Deri Protocol Decentralized derivatives exchange Advisor
Amasa Micro-income streaming & asset management Angel Investor

+ several stealth investments across Japan and Singapore

30+ Investments
$50M+ Deployed
6+ Years Experience

🤝 Strategic Advisory & How I Help Teams

I actively provide strategic guidance, technical expertise, and ecosystem support to accelerate growth and help founders succeed. Here's how I typically assist:

⚙️

Tokenomics & Distribution Strategy

  • Designing clear and sustainable token economic models
  • Advising on optimal token distribution and emission schedules
  • Structuring launches, liquidity bootstrapping, and incentive mechanisms
🌐

Ecosystem & Investor Relations

  • Facilitating connections with leading VCs, angels, and strategic partners
  • Guiding fundraising strategy and investor pitch preparation
  • Supporting launchpad partnerships and exchange listings
💻

Technical Architecture & Product Roadmap

  • Assisting in blockchain technology selection and system architecture
  • Advising on integration strategies for L1/L2 and interoperability layers
  • Helping source, vet, and onboard key technical talent
📈

Growth & Go-to-Market Strategy

  • Defining scalable user acquisition and retention strategies
  • Structuring marketing campaigns, community engagement, and brand positioning
  • Establishing strategic partnerships and ecosystem alliances to amplify reach

🌟 Testimonials

"Kenji's strategic advice on our tokenomics and launch strategy was instrumental to our successful mainnet rollout. His deep understanding of decentralized identity markets helped refine our vision significantly."

CEO, Litentry

"Kenji played a crucial role in connecting us with strategic partners and investors across Asia. His insights significantly accelerated our entry into the Japanese and Korean ecosystems."

Founder, Octopus Network

"Kenji's advisory greatly improved our cross-chain liquidity model and product-market fit. His hands-on approach and detailed understanding of DeFi significantly impacted our early traction."

CEO, Router Protocol

"Having Kenji as an early angel investor opened numerous doors for us. He not only provided early-stage capital but also consistently advised on strategic decisions and growth strategies."

Co-founder, Marlin Protocol

"Working closely with Kenji, we shaped a sustainable and scalable economic model for our decentralized derivatives protocol. His expertise in DeFi tokenomics was extremely valuable."

Founder, Deri Protocol

📝 Recent Insights & Articles

Articles coming soon. Please check back later.

📞 Contact & Collaboration

Interested in collaborating? I'd love to connect.

[email protected]
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