Keiji Ito, CEO and Founder, MentorMe
Entrepreneurs despise the word ‘impossible’ with a passion. For them, it’s not a roadblock; it’s an invitation to prove that the unimaginable can be achieved. Keiji Ito embodies this entrepreneurial spirit. Born in the U.S. and raised in both the United States and Japan, his journey has been defined by a fervent aversion to the term ‘impossible.’ It all began with a childhood attempt to fly, resulting in a broken arm, an experience that ignited his lifelong determination to shatter boundaries. Keiji’s aversion to the word ‘impossible’ was not just a fleeting childhood sentiment; it became the driving force behind a remarkable entrepreneurial odyssey. His unique upbringing in two culturally diverse countries, the United States and Japan fostered a perspective that would later shape his innovative ventures.
Growing up in two different countries allowed Keiji to see that there are multiple perspectives on every issue, an insight that would later inform his entrepreneurial journey.
Conquering Entrepreneurial Everest
Keiji says, “One big challenge is how to learn new things quickly. Startups face new issues every day, and you have to deal with them quickly. Otherwise, you just fail.” As an entrepreneur who co-founded and managed multiple companies, including Selan Co., Ltd. and angle Inc., Keiji Ito has faced numerous challenges. One significant challenge is the need to rapidly acquire new knowledge and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of startups. Keiji tackled this obstacle through a combination of reading, research, seeking advice from mentors, and team collaboration. This experience was instrumental in the creation of his venture, MentorMe.
Further, he adds, “Another challenge is people. I believe people are one of the most important assets for a company. Thus, we have to think about how to meet excellent people, how to attract them, how to offer the best environments where they can enjoy the journey.”
angle Inc.: Navigating the Path to Social Change
In 2019, Keiji Ito established angle Inc. with a mission to address social issues through business. His inspiration came from a lifelong interest in environmental and poverty-related issues and a realization that people often wanted to solve these problems but lacked the means to do so. His dream was to create a business that could generate profits by tackling these social challenges and making a significant impact on the world.
Keiji’s commitment to understanding these issues led him to travel the world for nine months, where he discovered that many problems already had solutions; they just needed to be connected. This insight became the driving force behind angle Inc.
Leadership by Keiji’s Code
As the CEO of angle Inc., Keiji Ito follows a leadership philosophy built on three key principles:
The Joy of the Journey: He believes in cherishing the journey alongside his team, clients, and stakeholders. To him, loving and delighting in the journey is essential for success.
Simplicity in Action: Keiji emphasizes the importance of simplicity and treating others the way you want to be treated, making obvious actions a natural part of the business.
Mastering the Mind: He practices meditation and mindfulness to keep his emotions in check, enabling him to stay true to his principles.
Impact Amplification: MentorMe and angle planet
Keiji Ito, the visionary entrepreneur, recognized the pressing need to accelerate game-changers. With a mission to “Accelerate game-changes, and the world,” Keiji understood that many aspiring changemakers faced daunting challenges. Startups in Japan, for instance, had an uphill battle, with a significant percentage failing within the first five years. Access to mentors was often limited, particularly for social entrepreneurs and intrepreneurs, while traditional mentorship programs required face-to-face interaction, making them inaccessible to those in remote areas. Keiji’s brainchild, MentorMe, provides a transformative solution by granting access to over 1700 experienced mentors online, irrespective of location or time constraints, having delivered over 6,000 hours of invaluable support in just 2.5 years.
Furthermore, Keiji Ito’s commitment extends to environmental preservation. Recognizing that people often harm the environment due to economic necessity, Keiji launched angle planet. This innovative venture demonstrates that it’s not only possible to generate income while protecting nature but also essential for our planet’s future. Keiji’s vision combines various elements, including carbon credits, eco-tourism, safari adventures, and entertainment services, providing a sustainable solution for biodiversity preservation.
Crafting a Legacy for the Future
Looking ahead, Keiji is resolute in his vision for angle Inc. With MentorMe, the plan is two-fold. First, expansion on a global scale is on the horizon. Keiji has already initiated support for Japanese startups going abroad and foreign startups coming to Japan. Through these endeavours, his team has accumulated unique and valuable experience, allowing them to offer invaluable support. Second, Keiji is eager to harness the wealth of data accumulated from mentor-entrepreneur matches and their journey experiences. His dream is to create a comprehensive database of human challenges, a resource that can illuminate the path for future generations of entrepreneurs.
With angle planet, Keiji aims to demonstrate that earning profits while protecting nature is not just a possibility but a necessity. Ongoing testing in Indonesia and South Africa is just the beginning. Keiji envisions expanding these efforts to more places, envisioning a world where private reserves teeming with endangered wildlife are protected, not only for our enjoyment but also for the preservation of Earth’s irreplaceable biodiversity.
Keiji’s Message to Aspiring Visionaries
As a parting message to aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, Keiji Ito offers these words of wisdom: “Our time on this Earth is finite, and we are not certain how many days we have left. Take action towards your dreams, no matter how challenging it may seem. Others may discourage you, but remember, it’s your life, and you alone are responsible for your future. Embrace the journey, learn from your failures, and with the right guidance, success becomes more attainable. You have the potential to excel, especially with resources like MentorMe at your disposal.”