Toyota Invention Partners, Inc. (TIP) has confirmed a significant change in its top leadership. Michiko Kato has been appointed as the new Representative Director and CEO, taking over from Kenta Kon. This appointment is expected to drive the next stage of growth for the investment subsidiary, which operates under the umbrella of the Toyota Motor Corporation.

Kato brings extensive experience in finance and corporate strategy to her new role. She joined TRI-AD, the predecessor to Woven by Toyota, in 2020 and played a pivotal part in launching Woven Capital. Her career history includes major roles at Morgan Stanley and the International Finance Corporation. Additionally, she previously served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Japanese AI startup ABEJA. Kato holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and will continue her current role as Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Woven Capital alongside her new duties at TIP.

The company stated that Kato will work to increase investment capabilities and broaden business ties. TIP acts as a bridge between Toyota’s mobility platforms and external firms that specialise in advanced technologies. The subsidiary also plans to coordinate more closely with Toyota’s venture capital branches, Toyota Ventures and Woven Capital.

Michiko Kato said, “Under the Toyota Group Vision of “Inventing our path forward, together”, 18 Toyota Group companies are reflecting on the company’s founding principles of “invention” and taking on the challenge of exploring the future of “Mobility for All.” We believe that by collaborating with external partners who bring cutting-edge technologies and business models, and connecting them with Toyota’s mobility platforms, we can create new value that cannot be achieved independently. Building on partnerships formed through investments, TIP aims to promote long-term business collaborations with companies who share our aspirations while also serving as a catalyst for new forms of innovation within the Toyota Group. In addition, TIP will further strengthen collaboration with Toyota Ventures and Woven Capital, Toyota’s corporate venture capital arms. In the next phase, we aim to create greater value by diversifying both investment stages and business areas.”

The outgoing CEO, Kenta Kon, has officially stepped down from the position. Under this new leadership, TIP intends to diversify its investment areas to explore different sectors of the mobility industry.