Kou Sundberg, Founder and CEO, Kiraku
Kou William Sundberg is the Founder and CEO of Kiraku. He began his career at Fortress Investment Group in Japan, where he worked on non-performing loan assessments, acquisitions, and the revitalization of financial institutions, hotels, and ryokans. In 2013, he returned to Silicon Valley and established Kiraku. Now based in Japan, Kou leads initiatives in business revitalization, development planning, acquisition and asset management, and hotel system design. He is deeply passionate about Japan’s cultural heritage and is committed to repositioning and revitalizing traditional industries—particularly in hospitality and sake brewing—to enhance their value and long-term sustainability. He currently serves as CEO of suginomori brewery, a revitalized sake brewery in Nagano, where he is also involved in brand strategy and product development. Additionally, Kou is Co-Representative Director of Atona, a joint venture with Hyatt, focused on developing a modern hot spring ryokan brand for both domestic and international travelers.
Kiraku is a team of specialists based in Japan with expertise in finance and creative disciplines. Rooted in a commitment to value creation and sustainability, Kiraku delivers innovative and sustainable business solutions for undervalued assets—particularly those tied to Japan’s unique natural and cultural resources. By identifying the distinctive conditions of each project and planning the optimal use of these assets, Kiraku creates lasting value for investors, local communities, and a wide range of stakeholders. The company operates from bases in Kyoto and Tokyo, overseeing a variety of hospitality, brewery, and development projects across Japan.
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