From Kaizen to Jugaad: Meet Shun Sagara, the Japanese who moved to Bengaluru to start a VC office

Shun Sagara, a seed investor at Genesia Ventures, recently shared his reasons for choosing Bengaluru as the base for the firm's new venture capital (VC) office.

In an interview with Business Insider, Sagara revealed that he joined Genesia Ventures in 2019. A year later, when the company began exploring international opportunities, he chose India for its dynamic and fast-paced startup ecosystem.

However, he made it clear that his decision had nothing to do with stereotypical interests. "Moving to India, where startups are not just building products but are laying the foundation of a rising economic power, felt like the natural next step for me," he said.


While Delhi was initially a contender, Sagara ultimately picked Bengaluru after his wife expressed concerns about the capital's "air quality, spicy food, and safety for women."

On the cultural differences in doing business, Sagara noted a stark contrast between Japan and India. “Japanese culture is built around risk mitigation, while the Indian startup ecosystem embraces bold ambition. In Japan, startup pitch decks typically have 40 to 50 slides, addressing every potential concern a VC might have. In India, founders often walk into meetings with a napkin sketch and unwavering conviction. Both approaches work, in my experience,” he explained.

He also highlighted how India’s famous jugaad (frugal innovation) mindset can be powerful when combined with Japan’s kaizen philosophy, which focuses on continuous improvement. "Together, they can deliver extraordinary results," he said.

Though he admitted that cleanliness in India was initially a challenge, Sagara called Bengaluru “one of the best cities in the world.”

“People are warm and kind toward foreigners, and most people love children. My two little kids — a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son — are well treated by locals. There are also excellent international schools, and raising children here has been a great experience for my wife and me,” he said.

One of the more unexpected surprises for him? The popularity of sports other than cricket in India.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Sagara currently serves as the Country Director for India at Genesia Ventures.