Katsuki Ono

After graduating from Waseda University’s School of Commerce, Katsuki completed his studies at the university’s Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies in March 2021. Currently, he works as a freelancer, taking on projects for startups and universities, while also managing Equal Frontiers, a job placement service he established to support people with disabilities. Living with a progressive and undiagnosed neurological condition resembling ALS, he relies on medical interventions such as a gastrostomy tube and a ventilator for survival. At Araya, he serves as a BMI Development Engineer / BMI Pilot, contributing to the creation of BMIs that are more user-friendly for everyone.

Key Achievements:
・3rd WASEDA DEMO DAY: Winner of the SUMS×WASEDA EDGE Award & Takiguchi Professor’s Mentorship Award
・SUMS PITCH: Excellence Award
・Social Innovation Challenge Japan 2021 (hosted by the UNDP, etc.): Finalist
・Youth Co:Lab Summit 2022 (hosted by the UNDP, etc.): Represented Japan
・Certified as INNO β by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
etc.