New Face|Osamu Funatsu
Reason for Joining DNX
I have known Akira, the representative of DNX Ventures Japan, since our MBA days, and we have kept in touch regularly since graduation. In our recent discussions, we came to agree that my experience at global companies, track record of supporting portfolio companies at a private equity fund, and management experience as a CFO align well with DNX’s investment areas and the capabilities the firm aims to strengthen.
Moreover, I was attracted by DNX’s openness to diverse ideas and willingness to incorporate new concepts. Meeting with the executives of DNX’s portfolio companies, I was impressed by their maturity and professionalism, regardless of age, which was a significant factor in my decision.
Professional Background
During my university years, I majored in psychology, specifically visual psychology. I found it fascinating to conduct experiments using Mac to scientifically analyze the human brain, a rather ambiguous subject, through statistics. Initially, I aimed to become a researcher, but my experience spending a short period in California during university made me want to pursue a career that allowed me to travel the world, leading me to join Mitsubishi Corporation.
At Mitsubishi Corporation, I gained experience in overseas business, supply chain improvement projects, and business planning within the automotive division. However, the emergence of Netscape had a profound impact on me, leading me to work at a startup and later join GE’s finance Leadership Program•In GE’s Finance Leadership Program, I gained extensive experience in team building with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, building trust with local employees in countries I visited for the first time, such as China, Hungary, Norway, and Singapore, and utilizing technology for remote training and project management. In China, I was involved in the advanced offshoring setup, and in Hungary, I worked on a tough project at a factory with a multinational team under a German manager for four months, which was highly challenging. Subsequently, I worked in FP&A at GE Capital in Japan and the UK, pursued an MBA, and joined Bain Capital’s portfolio group. At Bain Capital, I supported projects for operational improvement in luxury goods and BPO companies and customer acquisition for multinational companies, working alongside domestic and international executives in challenging environments.
Later, as a senior executive and CFO of an owner-operated consumer goods company, I oversaw corporate departments such as business planning, HR, SCM, accounting, and IT, leading various management team building and process reform initiatives. After working in the global FP&A team at a PE fund portfolio company, I joined ABeam Consulting as the CFO. While I had previously been on the customer side of software, I witnessed that ABeam, as an enterprise partner, was involved in various DX strategy constructions and large-scale project implementations, playing a significant role in the adoption of SaaS by Japanese enterprises. This experience reinforced my belief in the potential of SaaS.
Career Aspirations and Goals
When I joined GE in 2001, I was struck by the established processes for finance operations centered around FP&A, the use of digital tools like Hyperion, Concur, and IM, leadership programs to develop global talent capable of managing diversity and remote environments, and the close proximity to Global CEOs/CFOs. This inspired me to introduce these concepts to Japanese companies, and I have since chosen a career focused on global operations, transformation, and digital. Recently, data-driven management has been spreading in Japan, supported by FP&A, but I believe there is still room for the fundamental systems and SaaS tools to expand.
After my MBA, I joined a PE fund where I witnessed investment and management improvement approaches based on thorough analysis. I felt that incorporating these strategies, along with GE’s systems, could be a strong source of competitive advantage. Personally, through LP investments in US VCs and startup investments, I have been exposed to dynamic strategies and execution by highly experienced entrepreneurs and investors, which I found very appealing.
While transforming established companies has been rewarding, I am excited about contributing to the acceleration of growth by helping startups build organizations and processes geared towards growth.
Challenges and Areas of Focus at DNX
Unicorn companies in SaaS are emerging from various countries, so I hope to see many globally successful SaaS companies emerge from Japan. To achieve rapid growth, I aim to support the introduction of management systems, organizations, processes, and tools, and build partnerships and acquire enterprise customers for SaaS companies as they progress to the growth stage, leveraging my experience.
In terms of investment areas, I have a strong interest in SaaS companies related to finance, supply chain, manufacturing (durable goods and consumer goods), BPO, and professional services, given my deep involvement in these functions and industries. I also look forward to meeting talented entrepreneurs from trading companies and IT consulting backgrounds, as they often share similar perspectives on customers’ pain.
Profile
Osamu is a partner at DNX Ventures. As a seasoned financial professional, he has held various finance positions, including GE Corporate Audit staff, where he conducted audits of GE subsidiaries and managed Six Sigma projects across various countries, including China, Hungary, the UK, and Japan. He also worked in FP&A at GE Capital in the UK and Japan and served as a Chief Financial Officer at ABeam Consulting and a consumer goods company. Additionally, he was part of Bain Capital’s portfolio group, supporting operational improvement initiatives of portfolio companies. Osamu began his career at Mitsubishi Corporation in the Tokyo office, contributing to strategic and operational projects related to the joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Isuzu Motors in Thailand.
Osamu holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Letters from the University of Tokyo.