Anna Nakayasu

Anna Nakayasu is a healthcare investor at Sozo Ventures, where she focuses on identifying and supporting innovative companies at the intersection of healthcare, aging, and longevity. She brings a cross-border perspective shaped by deep experience in both the United States and Japanese healthcare and business ecosystems.

Raised and educated in both countries, Anna began her career in medicine after earning her medical degree from the University of Tokyo School of Medicine. She practiced as an obstetrician and gynecologist in Tokyo for four years, gaining firsthand clinical experience and a nuanced understanding of the Japanese healthcare system. During this time, she led research on physician work-life balance and organized women’s health seminars focused on education and improved care delivery.

Driven to create broader systemic impact, Anna transitioned from clinical practice to healthcare investing. She now applies her medical training, research background, and operational insight to support founders building scalable solutions that improve patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. Her investment approach integrates clinical rigor with commercial evaluation, including attention to regulatory pathways and long-term adoption.

Anna is especially passionate about bridging innovation between Japan and the United States. Through her work at Sozo Ventures, she fosters cross-border collaboration and helps portfolio companies navigate global expansion and localization.

Anna holds an MD from the University of Tokyo School of Medicine and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

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