From McKinsey to monoya: Meet Yu & Kazuma
Meet Yu Shimada and Kazuma Honjo, co-founders of monoya — an AI-agentic collaboration engine that fuses global design brands with next-generation Japanese local artisans and manufacturers. They’re reimagining how custom white-label products are made and shared across borders, bringing local craftsmanship to the world stage.
Their paths first crossed at McKinsey & Company, where they spent a combined twelve years tackling business problems across Tokyo, Sydney, LA and beyond. But their journeys started long before that.
Yu was born in Tokyo, raised in New York, and shaped by his time at dentsu, Procter & Gamble, adidas and Columbia Business School. Kazuma grew up in Kawasaki and spent seven years in the U.S., studying at Waseda University and Dartmouth College.
Their energies are different — and complementary.
Yu’s style is “people-caring leadership, direct but respectful.” He’s driven to “help local manufacturers and contribute to the revival of the Japanese economy.”
Kazuma describes himself as a “problem-solving machine,” energized by “seeing the growth of everyone around me — our makers, our buyers, and team members.”
Why build with WAY?
“The people — Chris and Yu,” Kazuma says. “And the environment — surrounded by peer portfolio companies that are different brings strategic insight and keeps things genuinely interesting.”
Yu’s answer? "Intuition. "I’ve had only a few times in my life where I intuitively knew the person across the table would become a lifelong friend or business partner. Christopher Ax was one of them."
Outside of work, Kazuma loves driving, whether it’s a private airplane, boat, or car. He’s also a scuba diver. Yu is all about family time: “I love my daughters with all my heart.”
Their advice to anyone on the edge of starting something?
Yu puts it simply: “Take it.”
Kazuma adds: “Staying where you are is the largest risk you are taking. Always move forward.”
And their proudest moment this past year?
Kazuma: “Making the move.”
Yu: “Finding my co-founder.”
We couldn’t be more excited to be building alongside them. monoya is the second Founding Partner team to join WAY Equity Partners.
This is part of our #HumansOfWAY series — spotlighting the people behind the companies we’re building, and the energy they bring into the room.
