Chris Baek
Entrepreneur, Operator & Candid Voice on Building in Japan
Meet Chris Baek
Entrepreneur, Operator & Candid Voice on Building in Japan 🧭
Originally from Los Angeles, Chris Baek came to Japan intending to spend a year studying Japanese. That decision ended up changing the course of his life. After helping scale an international education startup, he eventually co-founded InCloud, a Tokyo-based technology consultancy that he has bootstrapped and grown for nearly a decade.
Over the years, Chris and his team have delivered more than 50 projects across SaaS, IoT, cloud infrastructure, mobile applications, and AI. Today, much of his attention is on how AI is reshaping software development and what the next generation of engineers will need to succeed.
What are you currently building?
The next evolution of InCloud around AI-powered software development.
Chris believes simply giving developers access to AI isn't enough. Using it effectively requires a different way of thinking, working, and solving problems. He's focused on identifying and developing engineers who can combine traditional software fundamentals with AI-native workflows, allowing small teams to build faster and take on increasingly ambitious projects.
What excites you about Japan?
What it takes to succeed here. Long sales cycles, high customer expectations, and the realities of bootstrapping a company have given him a grounded view of the market.
Yet those same experiences have shown him where opportunities exist. He believes proactive people who are willing to take ownership, develop their skills, and approach problems differently can stand out in Japan.
And ultimately, business is only part of the equation. The safety, quality of life, and community he has found here are major reasons Japan became home and why he continues to build his life here long term.
A risk that changed your trajectory?
Coming to Japan. Chris originally moved from Los Angeles as a language student with little more than a plan to stay for a year. That decision eventually led him into Japan's startup ecosystem and ultimately to entrepreneurship.
Another important turning point came when he chose to leave a fast-growing startup where he served as COO. The experience gave him the confidence to step away from a promising trajectory and pursue a path that felt more aligned with what he wanted to build.
A habit that has had the biggest impact?
Knowing when to walk away. As he's gotten older, Chris has become increasingly conscious that time is finite. Whether in work, friendships, or other parts of life, he's learned to be deliberate about where he invests his time and energy rather than staying committed simply because he's already invested in something.
For him, walking away isn't about giving up. It's about recognizing when your time could be better spent somewhere else.
Advice for your 20s?
Give people a chance and keep your curiosity alive. As we all get older, it's easy to become more certain about how the world works and surround yourself with people who reinforce those views.
Chris believes it's important to keep engaging with different perspectives, personalities, and ways of living. But being open to people who see or experience the world differently can challenge your assumptions, keeping your own worldview from becoming too fixed.
Favorite restaurant in Tokyo?
Cristiano's, a Portuguese restaurant in Yoyogi. He particularly enjoys for its risotto, beet salad, and wine.