Team

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

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 Kunihiro Shiomi of Shinshu University, a leading expert in silkworm research.

MorSilk Powder

Head of Nutrition

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

Executive Director / Chief Innovation Officer (CIO)

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

Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

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

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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.

MorSilk Powder

Regional Director

Steffan Fung

After a distinguished 16-year career with the Singapore Army's Special Forces specialising in counter-terrorism operations, took on the path less travelled and started his journey as a tech startup founder. Founded the first overseas startup from Singapore, focusing on genetics DNA testing for athletes, which then participated in the 500 Startups Accelerator programme in Kobe, Japan, and was the first to win the "Best International Startup" Award at the Plug and Play Japan Expo — both prestigious Silicon Valley accelerator programmes. His passion for entrepreneurship in Japan led him to venture capital investment through UntroD Capital Asia, a Japanese deep-tech venture capital firm with over USD $300 million AUM, where he served as Growth Manager. As a hands-on entrepreneur, returned to venture-building and became Regional Director for Morus, overseeing all business operations, sales and commercialisation outside the Japanese domestic market. Graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a B.Eng (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and is currently pursuing an MBA at Quantic School of Business and Technology.

MorSilk Powder

Head of Corporate

Harutaka Sugino

Graduated from the University of Tokyo. Worked at Nippon Koei (now ID&E Holdings), where he was involved in consolidated financial closing, disclosure operations, and post-merger integration (PMI) for M&A transactions at listed companies. Later shifted his focus to growth-stage startups, joining Kakehashi as Accounting Manager, where he built out the company's accounting and internal control structure. Joined Morus in 2026.

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

Managing Partner of DQ Associates LLP and Honorary Secretary of UN Global Compact

Network Singapore, brings 30+ years of leadership in sustainability, advocacy, regulatory and public affairs. A founding leader in ASEAN's health supplement sector, he is also a marathoner and motivational speaker, inspiring purposeful leadership and resilience. He joined Morus as an advisory member in 2025.

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