Toyota’s Woven Capital Accelerates Search for the Future of Mobility with New CIO and COO Appointments

Succeeding in the World of Venture Capital: The Inspiring Journey of Michiko Kato and Mia Panzer

Reflecting on the pivotal moments of her life, Michiko Kato recalls the bold decisions that shaped her career. One such moment was leaving her comfort zone in Tokyo to pursue an education at Harvard Business School in Massachusetts. Subsequently, she made a groundbreaking shift from the stability of finance to the unpredictable realm of startup ventures, a move that transformed her trajectory.

Fast forward to the present, Kato is stepping into her most significant role yet as the Chief Innovation Officer of Toyota’s Woven Capital and the CEO of Toyota Invention Partners. Notably, her appointment as the CEO of a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary marks a historic milestone as the first female to hold this position within the company.

Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth-stage venture capital arm, focuses on investing in innovative startups in the mobility sector, encompassing areas such as space technology, cybersecurity, and autonomous driving. With a recent announcement of an $800 million Fund II, Woven Capital is committed to supporting at least 20 new Series B investments, with a strategic emphasis on partnering with companies aligned with Toyota’s vision.

Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Kato envisions Woven Capital as a catalyst for nurturing future leaders in mobility and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships. Her hands-on approach and dedication to creating value for startups underscore her commitment to driving innovation within the industry.

Joining Kato in her new role is Mia Panzer, who transitions from her position in business strategy at a Toyota technology subsidiary to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer at Woven Capital. The tandem leadership of Kato and Panzer signifies a significant shift towards gender diversity in the traditionally male-dominated realm of finance and investments.

In the realm of corporate venture capital (CVC), women have made notable strides in climbing the ranks, outpacing their counterparts in traditional venture firms. Recent data indicates a growing representation of women in investment roles within CVCs, reflecting a broader trend towards diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Having joined Woven Capital in 2020 during its nascent stages, Kato has leveraged her 15 years of investment experience to spearhead strategic investments in cutting-edge startups. With a keen interest in aeromobility, physical AI, and hardware innovations, she envisions reshaping the landscape of manufacturing through groundbreaking technologies.

Collaborating closely with Kato, Panzer assumes a pivotal role as COO, overseeing finance, operations, HR, and legal strategies at Woven Capital. Drawing on her extensive background in finance and operations, Panzer is dedicated to navigating the complexities of corporate venturing and ensuring alignment with the overarching goals of the parent company.

Reflecting on her journey, Panzer acknowledges the challenges and biases she has encountered as a woman in the industry. Despite initial self-doubt, she embraced the opportunity to step into leadership roles, challenging conventional norms and inspiring other women to pursue their ambitions with confidence.

As they embark on this new chapter at Woven Capital, Kato and Panzer embody a spirit of resilience, innovation, and empowerment. Their collective vision for driving positive change in the mobility sector reflects a shared commitment to pushing boundaries, fostering collaboration, and redefining success in the world of venture capital.