Company
About Us
We are sports nerds and fanatics...
Sports have had a tremendous impact on our lives and shaping our personalities.
Have brought us joy, frustrations and the realization that dreams can come true.
Developed friendships and comradery.
Now it's time for us to give back to sports...
The human being that shape the sports world have taught us that there are no limits.
In Japan there are two general ways to enjoy sports = Playing and Supporting
We believe that the fun opportunities are larger and virtually endless.
I
In the US sports are focused on increasing the entertainment and engagement aspects.
We believe that we can change and expand the definition of "playing" sports in Japan.
The value of sports participation will increase.
"Play Sports"
People who are not normally interested in sports should be intrigued by its collaborative powers.
What will sports teach us when more and more people become engaged?
We greatly look forward to the future of sports and hope you can all join our journey
Company Name:
Sporta Japan Corporation
Headquarters:
368 9th Ave, NY, NY, USA
Foundation Date:
August 2018
Founder:
Yusuke "Yu" Katoku
Sporta strives to create fun and new surprises in the sports world
We are general producers of sports entertainment with an emphasis on Technology
Company
Key Team Members
Founder / CEO
Yusuke Katoku
Keio University (LLB: Bachelor of Law)
Columbia University (Masters of Science)
2005-10: Keio University Athletic Lacrosse Club
Exchange Student at UNC (lacrosse manager)
2010-17: Mitsubishi Corporation
- International Business Development
- Oil and Gas; AI/IoT implementation
2018: Founded Sporta Japan Corporation
- desire to make sports more interesting through technology and data
- development of internal sports product
CRO + AI/ML Engineer
Shuhei Shimmyo
Keio University (Ph.D Engineering)
2005-09: Keio University's Kendo (4th Dan)
2011-17: Toshiba Corporation
- R&D for high-speed trains, power supplies
2014-17：Doctoral Program
- R&D of power electronics, haptics, robotics
2017-22: Founded Re-al Corporation
- Remote fishing robotics with haptic tech
Appointed as Assistant Professor at Keio U.
2022: Joined Sporta Japan Corporation
- Technical Research, Product Development
- AI/ML head engineer
Head of International Business
Nick Marotta
Macalester College (B.A. Economics)
Columbia University (M.S. Sports Mgmt)
2009-13: NCAA Varsity baseball athlete
2013-15: Investment Banking Senior Analyst
- M&A in Tech + Alternative Energy
2016-17: Marketing + Sponsorship Associate
- NFL Sports Agency
2017-18: Senior Business Analyst @ ESPN
- Ad Sales Strategy + Revenue Management
2019-22: Head of Strategy + Marketing
- Social Media + Influencer Marketing
2022: Joined Sporta Japan
Sales & Operations Manager (Japan)
Ador Bitaraf
University of Hawaii (B.A. in Business)
2013-18：Overseas Sales Representative
- specialized trading company
- emerging markets
2019：Sporta Japan Corporation
- development and implementation of top
sports technologies in Japan
- fan engagement and event management
UI／UX Advisor
Jonas Grimfelt
KTH Royal Institute of Technology (M.S.C)
2010-14: Co-Founder & CTO @ Merchii
206-20: CTO @ Markable
Full-stack engineer with experience at different tech companies, supporting AI-based e-commerce businesses and transportation companies.
Market Research/Analysis
Jiwon Choi
Keio University (B.A.)
2020: Joined Sporta Japan with a passion for sports and technology, he participates in various business projects for clients of Sporta Japan.
He has experience in holding events with multinational companies at an international NPO, and also supports various online events for sports science and sports business organized by Sporta Japan.
Strategy Planner /
Basketball analytics and consulting
Jared Cramer
Harvard Lecturer
2005-09: Northwestern University,
Department of Economics and Mathematics (B.A/B.A.)
2009-11: Princeton University Faculty of Economics (M.A/Master's Degree)
2011-12: Princeton University, Faculty of Economics (Ph.D./Ph.D.)
Engineering Manager
Jackie Turof
The City University of New York
(M.S. Computer Science)
2020: Call for Code at IBM
2021: Co-founder and CTO of Rebrandid, a high-end fashion resale platform
Head of Business Development in Japan
Kosuke Shimizu
Keio University (B.A. Economics)
2016-21: Joined Technology focused -department of Sumitomo Corporation,
engaged in agency sales operations and
venture investment operations for overseas vendors
2021-23: Joined dotD Corporation,
engaged in consultancy services to support
new business creation in the domestic automotive industry.
2024-: Joined Sporta Japan
Engineer
Adegoke Joshua Oluwafemi
B.Tech Computer Science
MS Cybersecurity (in view)
2018-20: Joined Genesys Tech Hub as Engineer & Facilitator
Built solutions and facilitated internships as frontend team lead for learning
2020-22: Joined Siteat as Frontend Engineer
Built MVP for food ordering applications for sport venues
2021: Joined Zonado as Frontend Engineer
Built/managed one of the largest property management solutions in Canada
2022-23: Joined Common Identity as Engineer
Built/managed the sole Identity Management Solutions for Nigeria @(NIMC)
2022-23: Joined Evolve Credit as Frontend Engineer
Creating Fintech Solutions for the lending ecosystem
2023-: Joined Sporta Japan Corporation
Assistant
Reiko Kato
University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo (B.A.)
2015-18: Engaged in retail sales at a specialized trading company handling overseas apparel brands
2018-22: Joined Mercari, Inc.
After working as a general affairs in planning and executing internal communication initiatives, engaged in mid-career recruiting as a human resources. Involved in hiring for a wide range of positions on the corporate and business side.
2023-: Joined Sporta Japan