Noriko Shibao is a director at UNERI Capital, in Nagoya, an impact-focused investment firm supporting entrepreneurs addressing social and environmental challenges. Her work focuses on early-stage impact startups in areas including climate tech, food tech, fem tech, and solutions for aging societies. In addition to investment activities, Noriko works closely with national and local governments in Japan, supporting startup ecosystems, designing, and operating programs for social impact startups, and advising public institutions on policy and program development in this field. Noriko is particularly committed to strengthening collaboration between the public sector, startups, and global impact investors, and to fostering long-term, inclusive value creation through cross-sector partnerships. She has professional experience in venture capital in Japan, as well as in corporate development, investor relations, and finance at a startup in Africa.