Yumiko Murakami

Yumiko Murakami, General Partner of Empower Partners — Japan’s first ESG-focused venture capital fund — discusses her extraordinary career journey from rural Japan through the United Nations and Goldman Sachs to co-founding an impact-focused venture fund.

In this compelling conversation, Yumiko reflects on the maternal entrepreneurial influence that shaped her worldview, the experiences at the OECD that opened her eyes to Japan’s unique position in the global economy, and why she decided to channel her expertise into venture capital with a purpose.

She offers candid insights into Japan’s evolving socio-economic landscape, the growing importance of ESG criteria in investment decisions, and practical guidance for emerging global innovators looking to build businesses that drive meaningful change while delivering strong returns.