Flavio Souza
- CEO
- Fullcircle Innovations KK
- https://fullcirclein.com
- Lecturer
- New York University SPS
- www.sps.nyu.alitokyo.jp/en/about_us/sps_tokyo
Date of birth: March 30, 1969
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 16 (as of July 2018)

My first encounter with Japan was actually via its people and it was outside of Japan, I was studying in the U.S and had an opportunity to meet a few Japanese during this time, it might sound strange to consider that as a first encounter, but it had a profound, positive impact on me and that was the initial spark that culminated in my first visit to Japan in 1994.
I am a technology enthusiast. I believe in the power of using technology in a positive way. My company’s motto is “Meaningful digital innovations.” As a founder, I am not interested in developing technology per se, but technology that can have a positive impact and actually be used to solve real worldwide problems such as environmental issues, poverty, health care and more.
I am proud to have launched a Japanese startup that was awarded a prize as one of 100 startups in Asia in 2010. I remember when I went to receive the prize in Shanghai, China. We had just three startups from Japan, and although I am a foreigner I was very proud to represent Japan in this contest.
My personal goal is to spread entrepreneurship education at high schools and universities across Japan. I believe that Japanese society has a lot to gain and benefit from embracing entrepreneurship on a larger scale in the future. I would like to support Japan in creating the next Sony or Toyota and I believe that will be possible if the young generations get early access to the entrepreneurial world.
I think Dicky Fox (a fictional character from the movie “Jerry Maguire”) got it right when he said, “Hey, I don’t have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I have failed as much as I have succeeded. But I love my wife. I love my life. And I wish you my kind of success.”