JT

Joseph Tou

Managing Director, Sony Ventures at Sony Innovation Fund

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

Overview

Work Experience

  • Managing Director, Sony Ventures

    2016 - Current

    While a broad-based lifetime tech junkie, the bulk of my investment focus is on Entertainmnent Technology (movies, music, games, sports). Sony Ventures manages Sony Innovation Fund (SIF), which invests in all stages of emerging technology companies. SIF engages with pioneering startups to help fuel the development of disruptive and transformational technologies as applied into various sectors.

  • Board & Affiliations

    2006

    Techstars Music (Sponsor and Mentor, 2019 - 2023) Jabali (Investor, 2024) Genpop (Investor, 2023) Noodle Cat Games (Investor, 2023) Forge (Investor, 2023) Nexus (Board Observer, 2022) Illumix (Investor, 2022) LIV (Investor, 2022 - Present) Trioscope (Investor, 2021 - Present) Kiswe (Board Observer, 2021 - Present) GGWP (Investor, 2021 - Present) DSP Concepts (Board Observer, 2020) Embodied (Board Observer, 2018 - Present) Defined.ai (Board Director/Observer, 2016 - Present) Community (Board Observer. 2017 - Present) Airmap (Board Observer, 2018 - 2021) - Acquired Mobcrush (Board Observer, 2020) - Acquired Streem (Board Advisor, 2017 - 2019) - Acquired Power Distribution Inc. (Board Director, 2006 - 2007) - Acquired

  • Vice President, Corporate Development, Sony Corporation of America

    2010 - 2022

    As a lifetime gadget and technology geek, I am proud to work alongside the incredible people behind Sony products and services, especially Sony Corp. and Sony Interactive Entertainment (Playstation) as well as Sony's electronics, semiconductor, and imaging businesses. We are focused on building solutions that deliver top shelf consumer experiences. My focus is on driving North America-based technology M&A, VC and growth investments, partnerships, and strategic & financial advisory.

  • Managing Director

    2008 - 2010

    Middle market advisory focused on operations-based companies in the industrial, technology and services sectors.

  • Vice President

    2006 - 2008

    Founding member and investment professional of inaugural $350 million private equity fund (the firm currently has $850 million under management). Identified and led investments in operations-based industrial/technology companies. Active due diligence with strong strategic and operational involvement with portfolio companies. Strong portfolio returns upon exit.

  • Sr. Director, Strategy, Marketing & Business Development

    2004 - 2006

    Senior leadership driving $800 million profit and loss of operations and service-based business. Drove strategic analysis and decision making for M&A, divestitures, partnerships and internal operations.

  • Sr. Research Analyst, Semiconductor Equity Research

    2001 - 2003

    Boutique research-focused technology investment bank. Responsible for all facets of semiconductor equity research focused on communications, computer, consumer electronics and industrial end markets.

  • Sr. Marketing and Product Manager

    1998 - 2001

    Progressive roles from product manager for Pentium III Xeon to strategy development to identifying and assessing emerging technologies and companies for Intel Capital strategic investment.

  • Software Engineer, Architect, IT Management

    1990 - 1996

    Demonstrated leadership in architecting, developing and delivering successful leading edge enterprise software and technology solutions connecting plant floor operations to the front office (MRP/ERP, MES, SCADA, Quality) in over 20 manufacturing plants worldwide.

  • Software Engineer

    1988 - 1990

    Designed and developed core product with software product development team. Depth in software development including C/C++, shell programming, X, Unix, sys admin, data modeling / database administration, development processes.

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