Sakana AICo-founder and Chairman
2023 — Present
Co-founded Sakana AI in 2023; previously served as COO.
Ren Ito is co-founder and Chairman of Sakana AI and a Senior Fellow at NYU School of Law. He previously served as COO of Stability AI, CEO of Mercari Europe, and a partner at Solaris Fund Management. Earlier, he spent fifteen years in Japan’s foreign service, including work representing Japan at the World Bank. He holds a law degree from the University of Tokyo, an LL.M. from NYU, and an M.A. in East Asian Studies from Stanford.
Ren Ito is co-founder and Chairman of Sakana AI and a Senior Fellow at NYU School of Law. He previously served as COO of Stability AI, CEO of Mercari Europe, and a partner at Solaris Fund Management. Earlier, he spent fifteen years in Japan’s foreign service, including work representing Japan at the World Bank. He holds a law degree from the University of Tokyo, an LL.M. from NYU, and an M.A. in East Asian Studies from Stanford.
Career
New York University School of LawSenior Fellow
2016 — Present
Research on international law, sovereignty, and international business transactions.
Stability AIChief Operating Officer
2022 — 2023
Solaris Fund ManagementPartner
2020 — 2023
MercariSenior Advisor
2020 — 2022
AfinitiSenior Advisor
2017 — 2020
Mercari EuropeCEO
2015 — 2020
Forbes JapanColumnist
2015 — 2019
Sophia UniversityAdjunct Lecturer
Feb 2016 — Jul 2017
Taught international relations, East Asian security, and trade.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of JapanDiplomat
2001 — 2015
Worked on U.S.–Japan security, Japan–EU trade negotiations, and diplomatic representation.
World BankJapan representative
2011 — an unspecified date
Represented Japan at the World Bank board during his diplomatic career.