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George Kellerman is a General Partner at Yamaha Motor Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. He is an experienced investor and entrepreneur focused on early-stage technology companies.
George Kellerman invests in early-stage companies across various sectors including mobility, robotics, artificial intelligence, IoT, sustainable agriculture, marine technologies, aerospace, and healthcare innovations, aligning with Yamaha's strategic interests.
George Kellerman works as a General Partner at Yamaha Motor Ventures, which is the corporate venture capital arm of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
George Kellerman is an investor and advisor based in the San Francisco Bay Area, having most recently served as Managing Director at Woven Capital. In this role, he launched and managed Toyota’s $800 million global investment fund in January 2021, leading its inaugural capital deployment into the autonomous delivery sector. Previously, he operated as Chief Operating Officer and General Partner at Yamaha Motor Ventures, and worked as a Managing Partner at the early-stage venture firm 500 Startups. His earlier career includes various executive and legal positions at major technology corporations, following his graduation with a Juris Doctor in Business and Finance Law from UC Berkeley. Today, Kellerman leverages his diverse professional background, which originally began as a military combat medic, to focus on corporate venture capital investments across the mobility, robotics, and artificial intelligence sectors.
George Kellerman is a distinguished General Partner at Yamaha Motor Ventures, where he plays a pivotal role in identifying and fostering the next generation of innovative companies. As part of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.'s corporate venture capital arm, Kellerman is instrumental in deploying capital into early-stage startups that align with Yamaha's strategic vision for the future. His work at Yamaha Motor Ventures spans a diverse range of sectors, reflecting the broad interests of the parent company.
Kellerman's investment focus areas are deeply rooted in technological advancement and market disruption. He actively seeks out opportunities in mobility solutions, including electric vehicles and autonomous systems, as well as advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Beyond these core tech areas, his portfolio interests extend to sustainable agriculture, marine technologies, aerospace, and healthcare innovations, all areas where Yamaha Motor Ventures aims to create synergistic value. He is particularly keen on companies that demonstrate strong potential for growth, possess disruptive technologies, and can contribute to a more sustainable and connected world.
Before joining Yamaha Motor Ventures, George Kellerman built an impressive career marked by entrepreneurial success and strategic leadership in the technology and venture capital landscapes. He has a rich background as a co-founder and CEO of multiple startups, giving him a unique founder-centric perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage companies. His prior experience includes significant roles in corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital at prominent technology firms such as DeNA, where he led corporate development and M&A activities. This extensive operational and investment background provides him with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to build, scale, and exit successful ventures.
Throughout his career, Kellerman has been involved in numerous impactful investments and strategic initiatives. While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort within a venture firm, his leadership at Yamaha Motor Ventures has contributed to a portfolio that includes companies like Agtonomy, which is innovating in autonomous agriculture, and Lightship, focused on electric RVs. These investments exemplify his commitment to supporting companies that are not only technologically advanced but also address significant market needs and contribute to a sustainable future. His strategic insights and deep industry knowledge make him a valuable partner for the startups he supports, helping them navigate the complexities of growth and market entry.
