Team

Personal commitment drives innovation—
toward a healthier future from Japan.

Member

MorSilk Powder

CEO

Ryo Sato

Reimagining Japan’s traditional resources as industries that shape the world.

We’re often asked—are we an insect food company? A protein alternative startup? But our vision goes beyond that. By combining Japan’s strengths in sericulture and scientific research—especially in nutrition—we aim to reinvent a fading tradition and contribute to solving global health challenges.

Bio

Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Education. While at university, conducted practical research in protein, amino acids, and sports nutrition as a member of the American football team. Started professional career at Itochu Corporation’s Textile Division, managing raw material sourcing and OEM production. Later joined venture capital firm Samurai Incubate, promoting open innovation between Japanese corporations and global startups, and supporting new business development across the chemical, energy, and trading sectors. Co-founded Morus Inc. in 2021 with Professor Kazuo Shiomi of Shinshu University, a leading expert in silkworm research.

MorSilk Powder

Executive Officer

Shota Koketsu M.Eng.

Received Master’s degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Tokyo.
Worked at Nippon Steel and Algoage, engaging in data analysis and business development.
Served as a product manager and service lead before joining Morus in 2021.

MorSilk Powder

Nutrition Scientist

Seiji Aoyagi Ph.D

Graduated from Occidental College and earned Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of Illinois.
Worked in nutritional research and product development at companies such as Abbott, GSK, and Danone.
Former Executive Officer at Dome Corporation and currently served as the Scientific Officer at DNS.
On top of Morus, acts as the Representative Director of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

MorSilk Powder

Food Scientist

Ayu Fujii

Graduated from California State University, Long Beach.
Worked in pharmaceutical development at Otsuka Pharmaceutical, then returned to the U.S. to join Beyond Meat, where she focused on R&D of plant-based meat alternatives.
Joined Morus in 2023.

MorSilk Powder

Head of Business Development

Keisuke Muroi

Graduated from the University of Tokyo.
At IBM Japan, led business planning, new business development, and organizational transformation for the manufacturing and distribution sectors.
Seconded to a major advertising agency to manage and grow a joint venture with IBM, then joined Walt Disney Japan as a business planner for the consumer products division.
Joined Morus in 2025. While in school, he was devoted to lacrosse and has been the general manager of the Japanese national lacrosse team in multiple categories since 2023.

MorSilk Powder

Head of Marketing

Yoko Muroi MBA

Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University.
After earning MBA in Europe, worked in marketing at P&G, Unilever, and Disney to lead various brands and categories.
Served as Vice GM at Rakuten before launching her own marketing consultancy. Joined Morus in 2024.

MorSilk Powder

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Mami Suzuki

Graduated from Long Beach City College in California.
Worked as a counselor at a preparatory school supporting children and students in their education.
Handled international trade operations for machinery products in the U.S. and China before joining Morus in 2023.

Advisory

山口 幹生

Mikio Yamaguchi
Financial Advisor

SDG Impact Japan Inc.

After serving the position of COO at Pocket Marche Co., Ltd. (now Amekaze Taiyo Inc.), he currently holds positions for Director and Managing Partner at Urban X Technologies Inc. and SDG Impact Japan Inc. respectively. He also works for Questly Inc. and Compass Corp. as Auditor. He joined the advisory board in 2024.

John Cheng

John Cheng
Regional Business Advisor

Innovate 360 CEO

He is the founder and CEO at Innovate 360, Singapore’s premier food accelerator. He also presides over Feed 9 Billion, an open innovation ecosystem with the aim to achieve food security and build sustainable future by 2050, in which the global population is projected to reach 9 billion. He joined Morus as an advisory board member in 2023.

山口 幹生

Daniel Quek
Regulatory Advisor

DQ Associates LLP

He is the founder and CEO at Innovate 360, Singapore’s premier food accelerator. He also presides over Feed 9 Billion, an open innovation ecosystem with the aim to achieve food security and build sustainable future by 2050, in which the global population is projected to reach 9 billion. He joined Morus as an advisory board member in 2023.

Partnership

山口 幹生

A*STAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation

Singapore

山口 幹生

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

US

Investor

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Join Us

Morus is looking for people who can help solve
global problems with biotechnology from Japan.

Career