LeanNew’s interview with Mr. Hiroki Kato, CEO of Arches Corporation

"Are you curious about a portrait of the leader who makes his best effort every single day to build a knowledge-sharing network to help businesses easily access the right insights for their sustainable growth? He is a typical representative of the Japanese who are dedicated and hard-working for their mission. Who is he? Discover below👇"

Mr. Hiroki Kato, who graduated from one of the prestigious Japanese universities – The University of Tokyo, spent years accumulating valuable experience at Sumitomo Corporation & YCP Holdings in consulting & investment before establishing his own business – Arches Corporation in 2019.

Since its founding, Arches has delivered consulting services across diverse industries, supporting over 400 organizations, including global leaders in technology, finance, & management consulting.

At present, Arches owns an established database of over 160,000 experts from diverse industries with more than 170 employees & 5 offices across Asia. Arches has successfully raised a total of $6 Million fund from notable investors.

To achieve all of those successes, a lot of hard work has been done by the Arches team, which is led by the talented leader, Mr. Hiroki Kato. So in this interview, we can’t wait to learn from his inspiring journey and discover other interesting things about the dedicated CEO of Arches. Let’s go now 😉

🧐 Can you describe your business to the general audience?

Imagine you're a global investment firm looking to invest in an emerging market like Vietnam or Indonesia. You need to understand the local market deeply - how businesses operate there, what customers want, and what challenges exist. But getting this insight isn't easy when you don't speak the language or have local connections. When these firms need to make multi-million dollar decisions, we make sure they can quickly talk to people with real, hands-on experience in that specific market or industry.

🌟 Why did you decide to start your own business?

In Japan's corporate world, career growth often follows a set path - steady but slow. But I was eager to learn and grow faster. While working as a consultant and investor, I saw how difficult it was for businesses to access reliable local insights for important decisions, especially in Asia's emerging markets. Starting my own business wasn't just about solving this market gap - it was about challenging myself to grow rapidly through hands-on experience. Looking back, building a company has taught me more than I could have learned in decades of corporate life.

🌪️ The biggest challenges your team went through? How did you overcome them?

The hardest part wasn't the long hours or challenges - it was breaking through mental barriers and finally taking that first step. I learned quickly that a perfect plan means nothing without execution, and that success comes from testing different approaches until finding what works. Those early days taught me that while business plans are important, it's execution that turns ideas into reality.

🏆 The achievements you remember most during your startup journey?

Seeing talented professionals choose to join us because they believe in our vision has been incredibly meaningful. Beyond our team growth, what makes me truly proud is seeing how our work contributes to Asia's development. When our clients invest here, they bring more than capital - they create new jobs, develop infrastructure, and transfer valuable knowledge and technology to local markets.

🥇 The quality you think the most important a startup leader should have:

Resilience. A startup journey is full of ups and downs, and a leader needs to stay strong, adaptable, and forward-looking to guide the team through it all.

🤵 The person has inspired you most:

My first boss at YCP Solidiance. He taught me the importance of strategic thinking, discipline, and building a team that shares your vision.

🌷 3 words about you:

Team-builder, resilient, adaptable.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The childhood memory which is beautiful to you:

Summer visits to my grandparents' home in rural Japan. Those peaceful days taught me to appreciate life's simple moments - learning traditional values from my grandparents. These memories remind me that sometimes the quietest moments teach us the most important lessons.

👐 If you have a day-off, what will you do?

I spend my free time reading and connecting with people outside of my industry - it's refreshing to gain different perspectives from various walks of life. And of course, working out to stay healthy and balance out all those business dinners!

📚 Book you recommend:

"The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz. It’s a practical guide for navigating the challenges of building and leading a company.

Bread 🍞 or rose 🌹?

Bread 🍞.

🏋️‍♂️ Thing which relaxes you:

Working out. It's my way to clear my mind and stay energized - especially important when balancing a busy schedule of meetings and business development.

Beach 🏖️ or mountain 🏕️?

Beach 🏖️.

👑 Thing you're proud of yourself most:

Being able to build a business that provides opportunities for our 170 talents+, helping them grow in their careers while making a positive impact on Asia's development.

🍣 Your favourite food:

Sushi—it’s simple, balanced, and always satisfying.

✊ Your advice for future entrepreneurs:

Start small, but think big. Focus on creating value, building trust, and staying resilient through the inevitable challenges.

🔭 Trends in your field:

The rise of digital transformation, increased demand for localized insights, and the growing importance of sustainable business practices.

🇻🇳 Vietnamese market through your lens:

Vietnam is a dynamic and fast-growing market with incredible potential for innovation, especially in technology and consumer sectors.

🚀 Your business' mission:

To empower businesses with the right knowledge and expertise, helping them make better decisions and drive sustainable growth.

🎯 Your business' future plan:

To expand globally, moving beyond Asia into markets like South America, while continuing to innovate and deliver value to our clients and experts.

"Thank you for your time. We sincerely appreciate that. We wish Arches to go far in future to continue its great mission!"