The Entrepreneurial Mindset
– what distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from others?
Hardly a day goes by without hearing technology buzzwords such as generative AI, AI agents, autonomous systems, vibe coding, cloud-native computing. Behind these terms are startup companies pushing the frontiers of technology—and the entrepreneurs who build them.
Entrepreneurs are key drivers of economic and social progress. Their ventures create new products and services, generate employment, and contribute to long-term productivity growth. Yet despite their importance, the reality is stark: only a small fraction of startups survive their early years, and even fewer reach sustained rapid or hyper growth.
Why do some entrepreneurs and startups succeed while most struggle? Can we develop practical frameworks to better understand founders, teams, and ventures—and in doing so, improve the odds of success?
This open class is taught by Adjunct Associate Professor Shun Nagao, who concurrently serves as a CFO at Corundum Systems Biology and Venture Partner at White Star Capital. Drawing on both academic research and real-world investment experience, the class offers practical insights into how entrepreneurs think, how startups evolve, and how venture outcomes are shaped.
This session is designed for those who are:
- Considering launching a startup in the future
- Involved in investing capital into entrepreneurs and early-stage companies
- Exploring a career within a startup or the broader innovation ecosystem
Participants will gain structured perspectives and actionable lessons to better navigate the world of entrepreneurship and startups.
19:00 – 19:10 Shizenkan University introduction / Speaker Introduction
19:10 – 20:00 Prof. Shun Nagao “The Entrepreneurial Mindset” Interactive Session
20:00 – 20:15 Discussion with Shizenkan Alumni
20:15 – 20:30 Q&A
20:30 – 21:00 Info session (The attendees who are interested)
Prof. Shunsuke Nagao
Shun Nagao is the Chief Financial Officer of Corundum Systems Biology (CSB) and President of the Corundum Convergence Institute (CCI). He also serves as a Venture Partner at White Star Capital (WSC) and is CEO of Eureka Japon Inc.
Previously, Shun was Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Japan Platform, and has held roles at the World Economic Forum, a Paris-based startup, as well as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
Shun holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Keio University and an MBA from INSEAD. Born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, and educated in Japan and France, he brings a multicultural perspective and is fluent in Japanese, English, and French.