SAZO Inc. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi; CEO: Maro Gil), the operator of the cross-border e-commerce platform "SAZO," announced on February 9 the appointment of Gavin Jung as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to accelerate the company's entry into international markets.
Mr. Jung brings extensive experience spearheading M&A and business expansion across the United States, South Korea, and Europe at world-renowned firms such as Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Amazon, and Krafton. As a specialist combining an engineering background with expertise in "Technology x Finance x Management," he is expected to lead the company's global strategy.
SAZO operates an "Agentic Cross-Border EC Platform" where users simply input the URL of a desired product, and AI instantly calculates exchange rates, customs duties, and shipping costs to ensure a seamless purchase experience. In September 2025, the company raised a total of 710 million yen in funding and has been actively expanding its global logistics network.
Regarding his appointment, Mr. Jung commented: "I will lead SAZO's leap into the next phase by ensuring that we don't just grow, but achieve 'disciplined and smart growth' through the establishment of a robust financial and operational foundation."
SAZO Inc. is a Nagoya-based startup founded in October 2023. Headquartered at STATION Ai, the company develops and operates an AI-powered cross-border e-commerce platform.
CEO Maro Gil expressed high expectations, stating: "With his deep understanding of engineering and his financial and strategic experience at global Big Tech firms, Gavin is the perfect person to embody SAZO's vision." Moving forward, the company plans to pursue aggressive global expansion backed by a solid financial foundation.
■ ICT Startup League
This support program was launched in fiscal year 2023, sparked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Seed-stage R&D Support Project for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding & Hands-on Support
R&D expenses of up to 20 million yen are provided as subsidies. Furthermore, the selection committee members who evaluate the startups continue to provide hands-on support to foster growth even after the selection process. This unique "fan-driven" support system allows evaluators who strongly believe in a company to continue providing advice on business plans and growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Development
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to accelerate the business growth of its members. It also works to discover aspiring entrepreneurs to expand the foundation of the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Structured like a sports league, it serves as a platform for positive competition where startups learn together and strive to secure the necessary funding (up to 20 million yen). It also provides a space for co-creation, where league members collaborate to expand their businesses through sessions with committee members and other networking opportunities.
4. Media Exposure
The league partners with media outlets to broadcast the initiatives of its members. By increasing public awareness of these businesses, the program aims to create new matching opportunities and expand the horizons for success.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
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SAZO Inc. (Official Site)
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SAZO Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
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Original Press Release (Japanese)
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For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.
