Case studies
Selected work from 50+ market entries and executive searches — across frontier AI, consumer tech, sports, and luxury.
Case 01 · Enterprise AI · Series E Decacorn
BUSINESS IMPACT
Cresta, the AI platform for contact centers backed by Sequoia, a16z, and Tiger Global, chose Tokyo as its next market. Enterprise interest was strong, but deals stalled without local leadership in a bilingual technical talent pool of fewer than 100 operators.
GTM Strategy · Executive Hiring · Commercial Partnerships · Strategic Access
Context
Series E AI company (>$3B), entering Japan
Enterprise deals stalled.
Bilingual technical talent: <100 operators
How TeamFirst helped
Retained Country Manager search
placed Parallel Sales Director, FDE, FDPM, and Solution Engineer mandates
80+ executive candidates mapped
<90 days:
Country Manager hired, enterprise pipeline live
7 roles
retained engagement
112
target accounts mapped
Case 02 · Consumer Tech · Market Entry
Launching DoorDash Japan When No One Could Enter the Country
Built a bilingual leadership team during COVID — HQ never set foot in Tokyo.
GTM Strategy · Executive Hiring · Strategic Access
Context
Entered mid-COVID, travel restricted
Needed bilingual leaders
Extended into advisory via DoorDash × Wolt
How TeamFirst helped
Co-hosted an online GTM + hiring event
Introduced 40+ bilingual operators in one sitting
Extended into strategic advisory through the DoorDash × Wolt integration.
7
leadership hires
40+
operators introduced
25+
commercial partnerships introduced
Case 03 · Agtech · Series B, $150M
Building Oishii's Japan Employer Brand Before the First Role Opened
Community access drew senior Japanese talent to a niche agritech unicorn — before market entry.
GTM Strategy · Executive Hiring · Strategic Access
Context
Needed senior leadership
Low employer awareness
Brand unknown in Japan
How TeamFirst helped
Curated a fireside with founder Hiroki Koga at Spotify Tokyo
Gathered leaders before any role posted
Made the community our hiring top-of-funnel
30+
senior inbound candidates
50+
leaders gathered
2
retained leadership hires
Case 04 · Sports · Priority Market
Rebuilding PGA TOUR's Japan Leadership
Four retained leadership searches in their most important foreign market.
Executive Hiring · Strategic Access
Context
Leadership gaps, urgent pressure
Restructuring + departures compressed the timeline
Immediate execution required
How TeamFirst helped
Ran four executive searches
Built a 35+ senior sports network
Extended into employer branding + ecosystem access
4
leadership hires secured
6 weeks
record-time placements
90%
outreach-to-interview conversion
Case 05 · Frontier AI · Ecosystem Building
Gathering Japan's Frontier AI Ecosystem
Helping a leading AI company engage Japan's most influential founders, operators, investors, and enterprise leaders.
GTM Strategy · Commercial Partnerships · Strategic Access
Context
OpenAI needed a trusted local partner
Ecosystem hard to access
How TeamFirst helped
Curated Japan's top AI founders + operators
Connected enterprise leaders
Convened public-sector discussions
100+
founders engaged across recurring series
30+
founders & engineering leaders per session
1
leadership hire
Case 06 · Cross-Border · Global Network
Building the Bridge Between Silicon Valley and Japan
Connecting founders, investors, executives, and country managers across two of the world's top innovation ecosystems.
GTM Strategy · Commercial Partnerships · Strategic Access
Context
Japan entry starts early
Founders and investors need warm intros to SV
The best opportunities are built pre-launch
How TeamFirst helped
Built a recurring SF ↔ Tokyo network
Gathered founders, investors, country managers, operators
Turned relationships into hiring, GTM, and partnerships
Early access
to companies exploring Japan
Market intelligence
from founders, investors, and operators
Talent bridge
to globally experienced Japanese leaders
Case 07 · Brand Positioning · Two Engagements
Helping Global Companies Build Visibility in Japan
Storytelling, executive communities, and trusted relationships that build awareness before and during expansion.
GTM Strategy · Commercial Partnerships · Strategic Access
Context
Curated 50 cross-industry leaders
Placed 12 AI smart glasses with top operators & media
Drove product awareness during expansion
How TeamFirst helped
Produced a dual-format launch: cocktail reception + private dinner
Gathered guests across luxury, tech, and culture
Elevated Grand Seiko among creative business leaders
100+
attendees gathered
40+
product seeding
25+
media presence
