Ren Ito

Companies founded

Sakana AI

Co-Founder · Founder · 2023 – present

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Currently

Active roles, board seats and partnerships.

Worldacademy

Fellow · 2025 – present

New York University

Senior Fellow · 2016 – present

Work history

Past roles by Dealroom records.

Stability AI

COO · 2022 – 2023

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Afiniti

Senior Advisor · 2017 – 2020

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Mercari

CEO · Senior Advisor · 2015 – 2022

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Esmap

Director · 2011 – 2014

The World Bank

Director · 2011 – 2014

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan

Director · 2005 – 2015

Education

Stanford University

Msc · 2004 – 2005

NYU School of Law

LLM · Law · 2003 – 2004

The University of Tokyo

Law · 1996 – 2001