TEAM
Members
Members
Members
Introducing the members of Team Baller.
Sho Gotanda
CEO
Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin High School and University. Joined United, Inc., worked in the advertising division, developing marketing strategies for clients. In 2016, assigned to a business expansion project in Malaysia, gaining international experience. In 2017, launched “HipHop Now,” a video media app focused on hip-hop, on the App Store and Google Play. Founded Baller Inc. in 2019. Also owns an art gallery in Bangkok called “gallery curu.”
Sho Gotanda
CEO
Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin High School and University. Joined United, Inc., worked in the advertising division, developing marketing strategies for clients. In 2016, assigned to a business expansion project in Malaysia, gaining international experience. In 2017, launched “HipHop Now,” a video media app focused on hip-hop, on the App Store and Google Play. Founded Baller Inc. in 2019. Also owns an art gallery in Bangkok called “gallery curu.”
Sho Gotanda
CEO
Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin High School and University. Joined United, Inc., worked in the advertising division, developing marketing strategies for clients. In 2016, assigned to a business expansion project in Malaysia, gaining international experience. In 2017, launched “HipHop Now,” a video media app focused on hip-hop, on the App Store and Google Play. Founded Baller Inc. in 2019. Also owns an art gallery in Bangkok called “gallery curu.”
Nobuaki Shiohara
COO
Graduated from Hosei University. After running a food service business, I joined an internet company. Founded a fashion business and took part in the management of FAKE TOKYO, overseeing PR and marketing. Served as Director of CHRISTIAN DADA, gaining M&A experience. Later became an advisor to CAMPFIRE and has worked as a PR/marketing consultant for various companies. Joined Baller Inc. in 2019.
Nobuaki Shiohara
COO
Graduated from Hosei University. After running a food service business, I joined an internet company. Founded a fashion business and took part in the management of FAKE TOKYO, overseeing PR and marketing. Served as Director of CHRISTIAN DADA, gaining M&A experience. Later became an advisor to CAMPFIRE and has worked as a PR/marketing consultant for various companies. Joined Baller Inc. in 2019.
Nobuaki Shiohara
COO
Graduated from Hosei University. After running a food service business, I joined an internet company. Founded a fashion business and took part in the management of FAKE TOKYO, overseeing PR and marketing. Served as Director of CHRISTIAN DADA, gaining M&A experience. Later became an advisor to CAMPFIRE and has worked as a PR/marketing consultant for various companies. Joined Baller Inc. in 2019.
Aurimas Niekis
CTO
Full-stack engineer born in Lithuania. Started programming at the age of 8. Has extensive experience in backend development and project management for services like Trivago and Sony Music. Joined Baller as CTO in 2021, leading technology initiatives including AI systems and development projects. Uses cutting-edge generative AI technology to improve product quality and efficiency. Also develops hardware as a hobby.
Aurimas Niekis
CTO
Full-stack engineer born in Lithuania. Started programming at the age of 8. Has extensive experience in backend development and project management for services like Trivago and Sony Music. Joined Baller as CTO in 2021, leading technology initiatives including AI systems and development projects. Uses cutting-edge generative AI technology to improve product quality and efficiency. Also develops hardware as a hobby.
Aurimas Niekis
CTO
Full-stack engineer born in Lithuania. Started programming at the age of 8. Has extensive experience in backend development and project management for services like Trivago and Sony Music. Joined Baller as CTO in 2021, leading technology initiatives including AI systems and development projects. Uses cutting-edge generative AI technology to improve product quality and efficiency. Also develops hardware as a hobby.
Aleksandra Janiec
CMO
Polish Strategist with experience in Tokyo, Warsaw, Milan, London, and Barcelona. Aleksandra combines business experience in both the public and private sectors with trend research design thinking methods. Founder of SUPERU consultancy, Partner at the consulting firm East Analytics and Plat Institute. She previously was connected with the agency RCKT in Tokyo and lectured on management and AI for bachelor’s degree students at Kozminski University.
Aleksandra Janiec
CMO
Polish Strategist with experience in Tokyo, Warsaw, Milan, London, and Barcelona. Aleksandra combines business experience in both the public and private sectors with trend research design thinking methods. Founder of SUPERU consultancy, Partner at the consulting firm East Analytics and Plat Institute. She previously was connected with the agency RCKT in Tokyo and lectured on management and AI for bachelor’s degree students at Kozminski University.
Aleksandra Janiec
CMO
Polish Strategist with experience in Tokyo, Warsaw, Milan, London, and Barcelona. Aleksandra combines business experience in both the public and private sectors with trend research design thinking methods. Founder of SUPERU consultancy, Partner at the consulting firm East Analytics and Plat Institute. She previously was connected with the agency RCKT in Tokyo and lectured on management and AI for bachelor’s degree students at Kozminski University.
Dang viet cong
In charge of Vietnam base
Originally from Vietnam, I graduated from a national university in Vietnam in 2011. In 2012, I came to Japan to study abroad and have since built a career here for over 13 years. I find the greatest joy in contributing to people and society through my work, with a particular passion for bridging Vietnam and Japan.
Dang viet cong
In charge of Vietnam base
Originally from Vietnam, I graduated from a national university in Vietnam in 2011. In 2012, I came to Japan to study abroad and have since built a career here for over 13 years. I find the greatest joy in contributing to people and society through my work, with a particular passion for bridging Vietnam and Japan.
Dang viet cong
In charge of Vietnam base
Originally from Vietnam, I graduated from a national university in Vietnam in 2011. In 2012, I came to Japan to study abroad and have since built a career here for over 13 years. I find the greatest joy in contributing to people and society through my work, with a particular passion for bridging Vietnam and Japan.
Shogo Matsuda
Executive Officer
After graduating from Doshisha University in 2021, he joined AIVICK Inc. as Head of Social Media, leading content production and marketing for “FIT FOOD HOME,” where he built partnerships with 1,000 stores and grew Instagram to 20,000 followers. In 2020, he founded VISFLAP LLC as Managing Partner, developing businesses in web/app development and digital advertising. In 2024, he became Executive Officer and Product Manager at Baller Inc.
Shogo Matsuda
Executive Officer
After graduating from Doshisha University in 2021, he joined AIVICK Inc. as Head of Social Media, leading content production and marketing for “FIT FOOD HOME,” where he built partnerships with 1,000 stores and grew Instagram to 20,000 followers. In 2020, he founded VISFLAP LLC as Managing Partner, developing businesses in web/app development and digital advertising. In 2024, he became Executive Officer and Product Manager at Baller Inc.
Shogo Matsuda
Executive Officer
After graduating from Doshisha University in 2021, he joined AIVICK Inc. as Head of Social Media, leading content production and marketing for “FIT FOOD HOME,” where he built partnerships with 1,000 stores and grew Instagram to 20,000 followers. In 2020, he founded VISFLAP LLC as Managing Partner, developing businesses in web/app development and digital advertising. In 2024, he became Executive Officer and Product Manager at Baller Inc.
Shohei Hayakawa
Sales Manager
After graduating from university, he joined a cosmetics manufacturer and worked there for 11 years, handling corporate sales to major drugstore chains and later serving as Head of a hair care brand. He also produced TV commercials in the advertising department while managing new graduate recruitment. In January 2025, he joined Baller Inc. and is also active as an executive at several other companies.
Shohei Hayakawa
Sales Manager
After graduating from university, he joined a cosmetics manufacturer and worked there for 11 years, handling corporate sales to major drugstore chains and later serving as Head of a hair care brand. He also produced TV commercials in the advertising department while managing new graduate recruitment. In January 2025, he joined Baller Inc. and is also active as an executive at several other companies.
Shohei Hayakawa
Sales Manager
After graduating from university, he joined a cosmetics manufacturer and worked there for 11 years, handling corporate sales to major drugstore chains and later serving as Head of a hair care brand. He also produced TV commercials in the advertising department while managing new graduate recruitment. In January 2025, he joined Baller Inc. and is also active as an executive at several other companies.
Hiroka Watanabe
Designer
Graduated from Rikkyo University. After starting his career at Lotte in 2014, he worked on new business at ALE and later managed a store at BAKERU. In 2020, he founded the design studio Massadler and became Creative Director of CMYK LLC. He specializes in product, graphic, and web design, and through his project “Visual Meditation” created visuals for pianist Shimon Hoshino’s piano sonata eureka.
Hiroka Watanabe
Designer
Graduated from Rikkyo University. After starting his career at Lotte in 2014, he worked on new business at ALE and later managed a store at BAKERU. In 2020, he founded the design studio Massadler and became Creative Director of CMYK LLC. He specializes in product, graphic, and web design, and through his project “Visual Meditation” created visuals for pianist Shimon Hoshino’s piano sonata eureka.
Hiroka Watanabe
Designer
Graduated from Rikkyo University. After starting his career at Lotte in 2014, he worked on new business at ALE and later managed a store at BAKERU. In 2020, he founded the design studio Massadler and became Creative Director of CMYK LLC. He specializes in product, graphic, and web design, and through his project “Visual Meditation” created visuals for pianist Shimon Hoshino’s piano sonata eureka.