Yuko Nakahata

Yuko Nakahata is a Japan-based start-up founder, ESG strategist, and board-level sustainability leader. As the founder and CEO of SustainaSeed, the organisation developing VerityBase, a sustainable solutions database helping businesses explore and compare climate-centred and sustainable innovations, Yuko is expanding her reach into the environmentally conscious landscape by improving access to sustainable ideas and creating a global hub for sustainability. 

Beginning her career in sales, Yuko has developed a broad range of skills in business management and strategy, resulting in various positions in leadership. She became CEO of Smart Inc. before founding her first venture, Partir Inc, an independent recruitment consultancy, at which she also served as CEO. Following this, she relocated to Hong Kong, Yuko spent time championing multi-country business development and APAC regional operations, supporting factory launches and management across borders in Southeast Asia. Yuko also served as an independent board director for both Jelly Beans Group and Hourakuen Holdings Corp. She founded her sustainability company SustainaSeed in 2021 and currently holds senior board positions at NAC CO. Ltd, Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, and Tameny, TSE Growth Market. Through this, she advises on governance, sustainability, strategy, business development, and international partnerships. 

Alongside her professional career, Yuko holds an MBA from the University of Cumbria, a Corporate HR Management certificate from the Hong Kong Management Association, as well as two Harvard Business School Online qualifications in Sustainable Business Strategy and Sustainable Investing. Yuko is a Corporate HR Management Industrial counsellor, a 'Glass Ceiling Breakers' Leader, a Mentor at Venture Cafe Tokyo, and a Visiting Professor at iU, the Professional University of Information and Management for Innovation. Yuko is also a supporting member of TiE Japan, as well as a member of the Japan Association of Corporate Directors. Her work has been published in numerous articles, such as the HR Business Journal, Fabric News, and  B-Ing. She has also spoken on multiple podcasts and radio shows, like Podcast Venture crews, J-Smile, and News Zero.

A diverse and insightful speaker, Yuko offers a unique perspective on sustainability through her startup and corporate governance experience. Having been selected for and spoken at the JETRO Startup x AlchemistX Global Startup Acceleration Program and TiE Japan, alongside hosting SIN Tokyo, Yuko is a confident and deft speaker thriving at the intersection of sustainability and business. Yuko is on a mission to share her unique blend of start-up leadership, global execution experience, and board-level governance and spread her passion for the climate through practical, implementation-focused perspectives on sustainable business transformation.