Haruka Mera
Japan
CAREER Enrolled in April 2010; Completed master’s degree in March 2012
“It doesn’t matter what, just go and see!” This is what I was told by Professor Furukawa, my research advisor at KMD.
At the end of April, just after being admitted to KMD, I had the chance to go to Silicon Valley for a week. Here, I was able to meet outstanding entrepreneurs from all over the world. It was fascinating to see these professionals who are entrepreneurs that create future possibilities, and I too wanted to become someone who creates something at Silicon Valley. I was overwhelmed with this feeling.
Right after returning to Japan, I met with Professor Furukawa, who had interviewed me for the entrance exam, and I spoke to him of my desire to study abroad at Stanford University in Silicon Valley. That’s when he told me to “just go and see,” which is what I did.
I returned to KMD six months later and set up READYFOR, the first crowdfunding service in Japan, and it has now grown into a company that employs around 120 people. The vision of READYFOR is “to create a world where everyone can realize whatever they want to do.”
When I wanted a new challenge, it was KMD that spurred me on and led me to making it happen, and for that I am truly grateful.
(This article was written in March 2020.)