Speaker Bios
Jeff Acton, Partner and Co-Head of Tokyo, BDA Partners
Jeff Acton is a Partner at BDA Partners based in Tokyo. Mr. Acton has a solid track record in originating and executing acquisitions and divestments for corporate clients and financial sponsors in Japan, China, Korea, and Singapore, focusing on the advanced manufacturing, automotive, consumer, and specialty chemicals sectors.
He has advised clients on transactions in Asia, including Clariant, Cookson Group, Henkel, J-Will Partners, and Kennametal. He started his career as an aerospace engineer with Pratt & Whitney in Canada. Mr. Acton has an MBA from INSEAD in France and an MSc/BSc from Queen’s University in Canada (with a year at Kyoto University). He is fluent in spoken and written Japanese and conversant in French.
Eri Akamatsu, Head of Issuer Services Japan, Citigroup
Eri serves as Head of Issuer Services for Citigroup Global Markets Japan (Depositary Bank) and Citibank N.A. Tokyo branch (Agency & Trust)
Since joining Citi in 2021 she has been the Japan representative for Issuer Services, serving as DR Bank sales lead and account manager for leading Japanese corporates.
Prior to joining Citi she was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs Japan Operations, covering middle office functions across multiple products including Derivatives, Global Equities and Fixed Income.
Eri brings almost 20 years’ experience in financial services with in-depth understanding of global securities market, settlement and transaction flows, and a wide range of client coverage experience from start-ups to major Japanese corporates, institutional investors, investment banks, VCs, lawyers and auditing firms.
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair, Marcum Asia CPAs LLC
Drew Bernstein is the Co-Chairman of MarcumAsia, initially co-founder of Bernstein & Pinchuk, a PCAOB registered accounting firm that has been providing SEC audit and advisory services to Asian companies since 1983. The firm is a member of the Marcum Group and an affiliate of Marcum LLP, a leading U.S. accounting and advisory firm. The combined firm is one of the largest middle market accounting firms servicing Asia-based, US publicly traded companies.
Tina Cheng, Partner, Quality Control, MarcumAsia CPAs LLC
Tina Cheng has over 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and supervision. Before joining MarcumAsia, Ms. Cheng worked at three major U.S. accounting firms, including KPMG. She also worked in the audit department of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). She provided training for the SEC as a technical director at Plante Moran LLP on issues including internal process design and supervision. Ms. Cheng attaches great importance to high-quality service delivery. She establishes, implements, and maintains the firm’s audit service policies and procedures and ensures the firm’s compliance with the relevant regulations of regulatory agencies. She guides the firm’s professionals on accounting and auditing techniques. Ms. Cheng serves as the firm’s quality control representative to review the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-related audit services.
Inez Chew, Director, ActiveDisclosure with Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
Inez Chew is the Director of ActiveDisclosure with Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN) in the Asia-Pacific region. With over a decade of experience in technology adoption, she has successfully guided a diverse range of companies—from early-stage startups to multinational private and public enterprises—in establishing robust policies, automating workflows, and developing tech-enabled strategies to navigate evolving corporate governance and disclosure requirements.
Inez specializes in collaborating with Foreign Private Issuers (FPIs) in preparing for U.S. initial public offerings (IPOs) and public listings to establish technology-driven processes in conjunction with their advisors, while enhancing financial reporting and SEC compliance readiness.
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors Inc
Crocker is an award-winning investor relations and corporate communications advisor with two decades of experience helping public and private companies access the capital markets and complete major acquisitions and business transformations. He has worked with senior leaders of over 100 companies across various industries ranging from startups to Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 scale enterprises. His firm, AUM Advisors, provides capital markets, investor relations, financial reporting, and corporate communications advisory services, with a strong focus on companies from Asia going public in the U.S. via IPO or SPAC merger.
David E. Danovitch, Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
David is the managing partner of Sullivan's New York office, where he is also director of the Corporate Department and co-heads the Firm’s Asia practice. He has extensive cross-border transaction experience representing issuers, broker-dealers and investment funds in financings, capital markets transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. David's clients span a variety of industries and his practice includes such matters as general corporate governance, securities regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and financings, and has defended numerous government enforcement actions. He also maintains several securities industry licenses, including the Series 24 (Registered Principal), Series 7 (General Securities), Series 79 (Investment Banking), and Series 99 (Operations), which gives him a unique insight into the challenges facing regulated firms.
Douglas S. Ellenoff, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole
Douglas S. Ellenoff, a member of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole since its founding in 1992, is a corporate and securities attorney who focuses on business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate financings. He has represented public companies in connection with their initial public offerings, SPACS, secondary public offerings, regulatory compliance, strategic initiatives, and general corporate governance matters. During his career, he has represented numerous broker-dealers, venture capital investor groups, and corporations involved in the capital formation process.
Jordan Fisher, Co-Founder & Chairman, Zehitomo Inc.
Jordan Fisher is Co-Founder and Chairman of Zehitomo, Japan’s marketplace for local services. From home renovations to karaoke coaches, Zehitomo provides a platform to match with 600+ types of service professionals. Jordan is also Venture Partner at Antler Japan, supporting and investing in ambitious founders from Day Zero. Previously, Jordan was Vice President at J.P.Morgan in Tokyo, working in Fixed Income Technology and Equities Sales Trading.
Born and raised in New York, Jordan holds a B.S. Computer Science from the University of Southern California. He is also a loving husband, and a father to two young daughters.
Lisa Forcht, Partner, Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li
Ms. Forcht is a Partner at Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li's New York office, specializing in securities law and corporate governance. Her practice emphasizes representing both public and private companies in IPOs, public financings, and strategic acquisitions. With extensive experience in capital markets transactions, she has also served as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and underwriter’s counsel for numerous public authorities, including state and local governments.
Edric Yi Guo, Chief Executive Officer & Head of Investment Banking, Univest Securities, LLC
Edric Yi Guo is a visionary leader in global investment banking. As one of the most prolific and influential investment bankers spanning the Asia-Pacific and North American markets, Mr. Guo has spearheaded transactions exceeding $1 billion across a diverse range of financial vehicles, including private placements, IPOs, follow-on offerings, SPACs, and M&A.
Under his leadership, Univest Securities has transformed into a full-service global financial powerhouse, integrating investment banking, equity and debt capital markets, as well as institutional and high-net-worth sales & trading. His strategic vision and execution have positioned the firm as a premier platform for cross-border capital flow and high-impact financial solutions.
With over a decade of expertise in investment banking and capital markets, Mr. Guo is renowned for his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, structure innovative deals, and drive significant value for issuers, investors, and institutions. His deep understanding of both Western and Asian financial ecosystems makes him a sought-after advisor and dealmaker at the intersection of international finance.
Mr. Guo holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Real Estate from the University of British Columbia and maintains FINRA Series 3, 7, 24, 66, 79 and 99 registrations, underscoring his extensive regulatory and financial acumen.
Seitaro Ishii, Director, Kura Sushi
Mr. Ishii has served as a member of our board of directors of Kura Sushi (NASDAQ: KRUS) since October 2018. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of IIOSS K.K., a Japanese professional consulting services firm specializing in organizational development and financial management (“IIOSS”), where he has served in such capacity since 2008. From 1980 to 2005, he served in various management capacities with Applied Materials, Inc., a semiconductor equipment company, including Regional Chief Financial Officer in Japan as well as positions within global human resources and global operations. Prior to his service with Applied Materials, Inc., Mr. Ishii served as an internal audit manager for Gulf & Western, Inc. and prior to that as a staff accountant with Peat Marwick & Mitchell, predecessor to KPMG LLP. Mr. Ishii holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pace University.
Sho Ito, Deputy Director for Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
As a government official at the Cabinet Office, I am working for boosting startup ecosystem in Japan. My responsibility covers multiple agendas including the Global Startup Campus Initiative, a national project to establish research and startup incubation hub in Tokyo; and the University Endowment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund with ¥10T in assets, to promote universities’ research and innovation activities.
Alex Jin, Managing Director, Maxim Group
Mr. Jin has over 10 years of investment banking experience focusing on emerging growth companies in Greater China. Mr. Jin has participated in over $2 billion worth of transactions, including IPO, SPAC, Follow-on, RD/CMPO, Private Placement and M&A. Mr. Jin currently spearheads Maxim’s China practice and has been instrumental in propelling firm’s practice to a industry leading position. Prior to joining Maxim Group, Mr. Jin was with Global Hunter Securities, where he focused on executing China-based transactions. Prior to Global Hunter Securities, Mr. Jin began his investment banking career at Sterne Agee & Leach. Mr. Jin holds an MBA and B.A. from the University of California, Riverside. He is bilingual in English and Mandarin. Mr. Jin holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 79 Registrations.
Sachiko Katori, Director Japan, AUM Advisors Inc
Sachiko Katori has over 18 years of experience in cross-border equity transactions, capital markets advisory and financial communication with special focus on US- Japan and Asia ex. Japan. With a background spanning Equity Capital Markets (ECM), M&A, and private company equity fundraising, Sachiko has a proven track record of leading international equity capital transaction and investor communications to deliver impactful solutions for private and public corporations. Sachiko held leadership positions at Nomura Securities International and Daiwa Capital Markets America as well as a hydrogen energy start-up where she spearheaded fundraising initiatives and developed comprehensive financial strategies for the U.S. market. Sachiko holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, and degrees in Law from Waseda University, Tokyo. She is fluent in both Japanese and English and holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 79 licenses.
Joshua Kaufman, Co-Chair, Capital Markets & Public Company Advisory Group, DLA Piper
Josh Kaufman of DLA Piper is a commercially oriented corporate counselor who advises high-growth businesses on financing pathways, strategic development, and transformational transactions. He specializes in cross-border matters, advising leading innovative companies in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Mr. Kaufman represents US and foreign private issuers and underwriters in various public offerings and private placements, primarily in the life sciences and technology. He has advised on more than 200 financing transactions with an aggregate value in excess of $100 billion. Mr. Kaufman represents clients before the Securities and Exchange Commission and advises on corporate governance and general corporate and commercial matters.
Craig Linder, Partner, Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC
Craig D. Linder, Esq. is a partner at Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC and has over 28 years of experience as a securities lawyer to issuers and underwriters, specializing in public registration of securities (with particular emphasis as issuer’s counsel in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of domestic and foreign private issuers, registered direct offerings (RDOs), and confidentially marketed public offerings (CMPOs), private investment in public equity transactions (PIPEs), and listing of securities on the NASDAQ and NYSE. Craig has worked with a number of Japanese issuers on their listings on U.S. exchanges. He is a graduate of NYU Law School.
Rong Liu, Senior Partner - Head of SPAC and Japanese Practices
Rong Liu, Senior Partner, Asia SPAC Practice at MarcumAsia, has more than 25 years of experience working with publicly and privately held companies overseeing complex audits, M&A transactions, financial due diligence, forensic accounting, internal controls, and international tax matters.
Mr. Liu plays a central role in MarcumAsia’s SEC practice in China by assisting many clients with initial public offerings (IPOs), SPAC IPOs, SPAC mergers, and various complex accounting and financial reporting issues. He has worked with clients across various industries, including telecommunications, technology, broadcasting, manufacturing, consumer, education, fintech, energy, wholesale and retailers, and banks. Before joining MarcumAsia, he was a partner at Friedman LLP’s New York office and a Senior Manager at Deloitte’s Dallas office, among other positions.
Mr. Liu has demonstrated proficiency in helping clients solve challenges in diverse areas. His knowledge and experience span areas including PCAOB-compliant audits of publicly traded and privately held companies, internal controls and SOX compliance, and SEC reporting related to IPOs and ongoing compliance. He advises clients on complex revenue recognition arrangements, debt, and equity transactions, business combinations, resolving SEC comment letters, stock-based compensation, and financial and M&A due diligence.
Yoichi（Chi）Morimoto, Executive Officer, Head of Business development, HiJoJo Partners
Chi is an Executive Officer at HiJoJo Partners, where he leads new business development, including the launch of investment banking services, IPO consulting for startups, and supporting the sustainable growth of portfolio companies. Previously, Chi managed institutional investor sales, block origination business, and corporate access teams at Goldman Sachs Japan, overseeing strategies to enhance corporate value and directing IPO/Follow On offerings for the firm.
HiJoJo Partners manages SPVs targeting middle/later-stage private companies, including US unicorns, while providing capital strategy and business growth support. In 2024, Chi played a key role in forming a strategic alliance with Nasdaq Private Market, the world’s largest secondary market platform, and in 2021, contributed to regulatory reforms as a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association Deregulation Committee member, advocating for the relaxation of Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.
Chieko Murata, Japan Representative, NASDAQ
Chieko Murata joined Nasdaq in 2008 as an initial member of Nasdaq Tokyo office.
Since then, working for Nasdaq Technology clients for trading, clearing and look after listing business.
As a Nasdaq Tokyo listing rep, provides comprehensive support from initial stage of the listing to pre-IPO, post IPO phases.
Support connecting all key parties including VCs, investment banks, audit firms, law firms, IR agents. Always happy to work with companies!
Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Co-Chair, Loeb & Loeb LLP
Mitch Nussbaum focuses on representing emerging growth companies and investment banks in initial public offerings of operating companies and SPACs, follow-on public offerings, shelf takedowns, registered direct placements, PIPEs and other private placements (144A, Reg D, Reg A, Reg S, etc.). Mitch also regularly represents public companies regarding their SEC and NYSE or Nasdaq listing compliance and has acted as outside general counsel, including corporate, securities, M&A litigation and business counseling, to hundreds of private and public companies as well as their officers and directors. He also negotiates and documents acquisitions, mergers, going-private transactions, reverse mergers, proxy contests, tender offers, control contests, fund formations and secured lending financings and has represented issuers and underwriters in hundreds of SPAC public offerings and business combinations for over 20 years. Mitch was responsible for developing the groundbreaking IPAC, which features many of the benefits of the SPAC, but offers increased flexibility on pricing and deal structure, along with a more rapid transaction cycle.
According to the IPO Vital Signs league tables, in most of the past 10 years, Mitch has been ranked as one of the top five attorneys in the country based on the number of public offerings he has completed on behalf of issuers or underwriters. Mitch has also been named among the top attorneys in the areas of corporate and M&A law in the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
Yuya Orime, Chief Business Development Officer, GSR III Acquisition Corp (GSRT)
Yuya Orime serves as Chief Business Development Officer at GSR III Acquisition Corp (GSRT). He currently also serves as Senior Vice President of SPAC Advisory Partners, a boutique financial advisory firm focused on the SPAC market. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President at GSR II Meteora Acquisition Corp. (GSRM), which successfully closed a SPAC transaction with Bitcoin Depot (NASDAQ: BTM) in June 2023. Prior to GSRM, he worked at Bank of America Securities from 2012 to 2022 where he was most recently a Director in the Technology Investment Banking group and covered clients across AutoTech and Enterprise Software sectors. During his career, Mr. Orime has advised on several SPAC mergers and IPOs. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from University of Southern California.
Junsei Ryu, Chairman and CEO, TOYO Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ: TOYO)
Mr. Junsei Ryu has served as the representative of TOYO Solar since November 2022 and brings a wealth of experience to his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors at TOYO Co., Ltd. With nearly two decades of expertise in the solar solutions industry, Mr. Ryu has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Abalance Corporation, a Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed company specializing in global solar energy investment, development, construction, and operation. He has served as a director or representative for various affiliates, including WWB Corporation, VSUN, Fuji Solar, VALORS Corporation, Birdy Fuel Cells LLC, and Japan Photocatalyst Center Corporation. Mr. Ryu holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Nagoya City University and a Master's degree in International Management from Waseda University, further augmenting his qualifications in the field.
John A. Stapleton, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP
John Stapleton represents clients in domestic and international corporate and securities transactions. He regularly advises issuers and underwriters in a variety of public and private securities transactions, including initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, debt offerings and special purpose acquisition company transactions. His clients operate businesses in a variety of industries, primarily including healthcare, real estate, medical technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and blockchain and crypto assets, among others.
John lived for six years in Japan and is a leading capital markets and M&A attorney in cross-border Japanese legal matters. He has extensive experience representing Japanese and U.S. companies in a variety of cross-border corporate and capital markets transactions. John serves as an independent director on the board of directors of LogProstyle Inc., a Japanese company which operates a real estate renovation and resale business, a real estate development business, a hotel management business and a restaurant management business.
Bob Stephenson, Managing Director, Investment Banking, ROTH Capital Partners, LLC
Robert Stephenson is a Managing Director, Co-Head Sustainability Investment Banking at ROTH. He has been with the company since 1998. Starting in 2005, he played a pivotal role in developing Roth Capital Partners' China Investment Banking practice and currently leads the Industrials and Cleantech sectors. Throughout his career, he has successfully completed nearly 170 transactions with a total value exceeding $6.5 billion. Notably, he has been involved in over 80 transactions, totaling over $3.5 billion, specifically for U.S.-listed Chinese companies. Prior to joining Roth in 1998, he gained experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (formerly known as Coopers and Lybrand, L.L.P.).
Mr. Stephenson holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California.
Noriko Takase, General Manager of Corporate Planning, Coincheck, Inc. a subsidiary of Coincheck N.V. (NASDAQ: CNCK)
With extensive experience in investment banking, legal compliance, and capital markets, she has worked across diverse industries, including financial services, media, and technology.
At Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., she worked in the Investment Banking Division, specializing in capital markets. After working as a journalist at a global news agency, covering equity capital markets, she transitioned to an AI venture, where she played a key role in its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market.
In July 2022, she joined Coincheck, Inc., where she contributed to the successful listing of Coincheck N.V. on Nasdaq.
Keigo Takegahara, Senior Executive Director & CFO, Coincheck, Inc. a subsidiary of Coincheck N.V. (NASDAQ: CNCK)
After passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, he joined Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, where he worked with clients across a range of industries, providing audit services, assisting them in preparing for initial public offerings (IPOs), and conducting financial due diligence. Following these experiences, he joined Coincheck in November 2018.
As Head of Accounting and Finance at Coincheck, Inc., he developed the financial reporting and internal control framework for the crypto asset exchange business as the sector evolved beyond its early stages. In addition, he serves as Deputy Chair of the Subcommittee on Tax System Considerations at the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association, actively contributing to regulatory frameworks for crypto asset businesses.
He was appointed Executive Director in September 2020, Senior Executive Director in June 2022, and Senior Executive Director & CFO, Director of the Corporate Division in September 2023.
CFO: Chief Financial Officer
Jason Tang, Partner, MarcumAsia
Jason Tang is a partner of MarcumAsia with over 25 years of diversified accounting and management advisory experience. He currently manages Marcum Asia’s Singapore office and participates in the business development and promotion of Marcum Asia’s brand image in the Asia Pacific region. Before joining Marcum Asia, Jason was a senior partner at Friedman LLP’s New York office and one of the core leaders of Friedman’s China practice.
Jason earned his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of International Business & Economics in Beijing, China, and his Master’s in business administration from Seton Hall University in the United States. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of New Jersey and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Tony Tian, Senior Managing Director, Kingswood Capital Partners LLC
Tony Tian currently serves as Senior Managing Director at Kingswood Capital Partners and has over 15 years of experience in capital markets, investment banking, research, and investor relations. Along with leading Kingswood’s investment banking efforts in Asia, Mr. Tian also serves as Co-CEO of a NASDAQ-listed gaming company and CFO and Director of AIMfinity Investment Corp. Previously, he was Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets at US Tiger Securities. Before that, he was a sell-side analyst for several investment banks, including Oppenheimer, Ladenburg Thalmann, Ticonderoga Securities, and Pacific Crest Securities.
Ed Tsuker, Senior Managing Director, Kingswood Capital Partners LLC
Ed Tsuker currently serves as Senior Managing Director at Kingswood Capital Partners and has over 30 years of experience in capital markets, investment banking, and corporate finance, servicing emerging growth, small-cap, and middle market companies, specializing in life sciences, healthcare, technology, energy, metals, and mining. Previously, Mr. Tsuker was a co-founder of EF Hutton as well as held senior management positions with Aegis Capital, Knight Capital Markets, Maxim Group, as well as Rodman & Renshaw, and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. He has been responsible for structuring, closing, and participating in over 500 equity and equity-linked offerings as well as responsible for raising more than ~$15 billion for emerging growth companies.
Yingjie Weng, Managing Director, Chardan
Yingjie Weng is a Managing Director of Investment Banking at Chardan. She joined Chardan in 2011 and has originated and executed over $10 billion in transactions throughout her career, including IPOs, M&As and both public and private capital raises across multiple industries. Ms. Weng brings extensive experience in cross-border SPAC IPOs and mergers, and provides in-depth deal structuring, valuation, negotiation, and financing solutions for both private and public emerging growth companies in Asia.
Ms. Weng holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Mathematics and Economics from University of Michigan Ann Arbor. She is bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese.