Memori Yamato
Founder & CEO, DIVA
Bio
Memori Yamato is Founder & CEO of DIVA, a company operated with the purpose of ‘Bringing Light to Humanity through Technology and Art'. She is recipient of Young Business Leader of the Year in Technology in Forttuna Global Excellence Award 2024.
Memori started DIVA as a philanthropic response to the outbreak of COVID-19. With over 30 years of industry experience since childhood, the company has grown as a technology venture to challenge some long-standing issues in art society: heavy dependence on government subsidies and sponsorship, limited social security for artists, and the vicious cycle of low funding > unsuccessful production > limited talent attraction > lack of innovation.
The name DIVA reflects respect for the divinity of art and the spirit she learned from the art community early in her life.
In 2023, Memori was chosen as the first entrepreneur to participate in 'Japanese Leaders Program' by Spain government. She also joined Japanese government mission to Saudi Arabia in 2022.
Outside DIVA, Memori served as a board member/US CEO of a Space Technology Company and a Chief Business Officer of Generative Al company.
Prior to her entrepreneurship, she worked for MUFG and J.P. Morgan to gain knowledge in financial industry and corporate governance.
Memori holds a master's degree from University of Tokyo with full scholarship and graduated with honor. In her artistic background, she attended training at National Ballet Academy of Ukraine at age 10, and a full-year training at Kirov Academy of Washington, D.C. with recommendation by former artistic director of Mariinsky Ballet Theatre.
Personal Quote:
“My entrepreneurship story is my life story, I grew up with a dream, gave it up for a social cause, and became an entrepreneur to innovate and bridge dreams with reality. - Memori Yamato”