From SaaS to Dog treats to WAY: Meet Monaka Nukui
From scaling global tech with Adjust to founding a dog treats brand GoDoggy合同会社, Monaka Nukui's career has always been about building with purpose and passion. She’s joined WAY Equity Partners to help shape its future as a Growth Operations Manager, part of WAY’s CEO-in-training program.
Your background?
After graduating university, I entered the adtech SaaS industry and have spent over 11 years in this space - including 9 amazing years at Adjust, where I contributed to the Japan market expansion and led the Technical Account Management team, working with leading app clients across the country. In 2019, I also co-founded GoDoggy, a healthy natural dog treats brand I started with my partner to help my German Shepherd’s chewing habits. She later passed away due to a genetic cancer, but the company continues to grow strong: my way of carrying her legacy forward.
Your Role at WAY?
I’ve joined WAY as a Growth Operations Manager, where my focus will be on building a new company through our roll-up strategy. What excites me most is the vision: helping Japanese enterprises adopt and benefit from the world’s best AI, while ensuring it’s done safely, responsibly, and in ways that truly fit the local market. I want to see a Japan where AI is not just understood by a few, but embraced broadly—so that businesses of every size can compete globally through trusted, human-centered technology.
Why WAY?
For me, it’s about the people. Even as an early-stage company, WAY brings together such a diverse, inspiring team I’ve learned so much from already. I feel a strong sense of urgency that Japan risks falling behind globally if we don’t create more impactful businesses. My purpose is to change that trajectory by driving innovation, building globally scalable companies, and helping position Japan as a leader in the world economy. I believe WAY is the right place to make that happen.
Value You Live By?
「走り切る」— to see things through to the end. For me, it means bringing positive energy, pushing forward with persistence, and not stopping halfway. As my favorite quote says: “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
Passion Outside of Work?
I’m passionate about food, both eating and cooking. I love creating new recipes, and for sushi and yakitori in particular, I’ve explored most of Tokyo’s top spots (but still have many more to discover!).
What You Hope to Achieve at WAY?
I am excited to start building from the early stage, this time with the chance to approach it from a different angle. Having already built my own company, I can bring the skills and lessons I’ve gained, but I also know there is so much more to learn!
