After graduating from Columbia University with a degree in Engineering Management Systems, Mr. Menzas joined Salomon Brothers Asia Securities (now Citigroup Securities) in 1995, starting his career as a programmer. He quickly advanced to become Vice President in the Equity Division as a trader, where he distinguished himself as a desk head. Following his time there, Mr. Menzas successfully introduced algorithmic trading as a consultant at Mizuho Securities in 2007, leading to a formal position with the company. The following year, he was appointed Co-Head of the Equity Division and Deputy Global Head of Pan Asian Equities. Later, after transitioning to the Investment Department, he shifted his focus to the fintech sector, where he worked extensively on due diligence, value enhancement, and fund arrangements, collaborating with over 100 venture companies and more than 80 institutional investors worldwide. In November 2017, Mr. Menzas founded HiJoJo Partners and took on the role of CEO. In November 2024, he was named Co-CEO

Chi is an Executive Officer at HiJoJo Partners, where he leads the development of new business initiatives, including the launch of investment banking services, IPO consulting for startups, and supporting the sustainable growth of portfolio companies. Previously, he managed institutional investor sales, block origination, and corporate access teams at Goldman Sachs Japan, where he devised strategies to enhance corporate value and led IPO and Follow-On offerings. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Chi held roles in San Francisco, Singapore, and Tokyo with Nomura Securities. In 2024, Chi played a key role in forming a strategic alliance with Nasdaq Private Market, the world’s largest secondary market platform. In 2021, he contributed to regulatory reforms as a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association Deregulation Committee, advocating for the relaxation of Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.

Koji Yamamoto is a Partner at the DLA Piper Tokyo office. He has advised clients in the investment funds and investment management area for over 20 years at international law firms in Tokyo.

Koji is currently ranked as a Tier 1 Attorney at Chambers Asia Pacific and prior to joining DLA Piper, Koji was a Partner in an international law firm that was also recognized as a top investment management practice in Japan by Chambers.

Koji has significant experience in advising offshore fund managers and financial institutions with respect to a wide range of Japan regulatory matters.

Scope of such regulatory advice included various forms of capital raising, submission of filings and registrations applicable to Japan offerings with the Financial Services Agency of Japan as well as fund managers regarding the rules and regulations of Japan with respect to Japan exchange trades, including Block Shareholding Reports; Short Selling (including Japan Regulation M), Insider Trading, etc.

Yoshiyuki Omori is a Partner at the DLA Piper Tokyo office. He advises both domestic and foreign financial institutions and investment funds on Japanese financial regulations for over 20 years at international law firms in Tokyo.

Yoshiyuki is currently ranked as a Tier 2 Attorney with Chambers Asia Pacific and prior to joining DLA Piper, Yoshiyuki was Partner in an international law firm and is a part of a group that is recognized as a top investment management practice in Japan by Chambers Asia Pacific.

Yoshiyuki has advised numerous financial clients in obtaining regulatory registrations and association memberships in Japan (Type 1, Type 2, Investment Management, Investment Advisory and Agency, Remote Membership and various Financial Instruments Dealers Associations) and establishing proper compliance regime. In addition, Yoshiyuki has advised as Japan lead counsel of a wide range of Japan domiciled funds including parallel funds. Yoshiyuki frequently shares insights on Japan’s financial regulatory regime with the Financial Services Agency of Japan and other government authorities.