Our Visionary Team

Driving Positive Change

Jade Wu

Founder & CEO

Jade Wu is a young dynamic impact leader committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable world by exploring innovation in philanthropy and entrepreneurship. Passionate and determined, she is currently leading the development of We Are The Impact in Tokyo, focusing on advancing impact investing and nurturing Japan’s startup ecosystem.

Originally from Shanghai, Jade Wu began her entrepreneurial journey during a high school summer camp in Silicon Valley, immersing herself in the vibrant startup ecosystem and laying a strong foundation for her future endeavors.

During her university years, Jade served as the Asia-Pacific Director of the International Exchange Association, organizing cultural exchange programs for international students and faculty. She also conducted research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and new media marketing, applying these insights during her master’s studies to develop and implement marketing strategies for her university’s media department.

In 2021, Jade joined Run2me, a consulting firm led by renowned Chinese strategist Liu Run, where she managed editorial projects and community engagement for a business media platform. Collaborating with social enterprises and organizations such as B Corp China, she organized roundtable discussions and events to raise awareness about social entrepreneurship.

In 2023, Jade relocated to Japan, leveraging her seven years of Japanese language study and her academic background in Japanese literature and culture. In early 2024, she joined RFTC Japan, a leading breast cancer foundation, further strengthening her commitment to social impact. Recognizing the need for international entrepreneurial talent and impact investment in Japan, Jade founded We Are The Impact in 2024 to build a global startup ecosystem and advance impact investing in Tokyo.

Francis Shu

Co-Founder & President

Francis Shu is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, dedicated to driving positive impact through innovative business solutions. As the founder of Timech Shanghai in 2021 and co-founder of We Are The Impact in 2024, Francis is at the forefront of creating ventures that fuse economic success with meaningful societal contributions.

Born and raised in China, Francis moved to Canada after high school, later earning a BBA from Ritsumeikan University and an MBA from Keio Business School in Japan. He began his career with entrepreneurial ventures in China, including franchising, supply chain management, and public sector consulting, which built his foundation in scalable business models. Now, through Timech Shanghai, he provides AI-powered strategic consulting to foster global business connections.

In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Francis is an active investor in financial markets, with a focus on foreign exchanges, commodities, stock indices, and crypto assets. His strategic approach and deep understanding of global market trends have allowed him to identify opportunities and navigate market fluctuations successfully. Notably, he achieved over 1000% returns in contract trading, demonstrating his exceptional skills and foresight in the financial markets.

Francis honed his financial expertise as a Financial Market Trader at the Bank of China Tokyo, where he specialized in managing treasury liquidity and monitoring market dynamics. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of financial systems, which he applies to fintech ventures in Japan. For his innovative approach, Francis was honored with the Impact Startup of Japan Fintech Summit in 2024, recognizing his commitment to enhancing financial inclusion and transaction efficiency.

Driven by a passion for philanthropy, Francis co-founded We Are The Impact in 2024, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering positive social and environmental impact creation. With his guidance, the organization has successfully connected over 100 entrepreneurial initiatives, significantly bolstering the startup ecosystem and fostering social innovation. He also serves as a mentor to startups, sharing his expertise to support new entrepreneurs in developing sustainable and impactful business models.

Today, Francis remains a pioneering force, combining his entrepreneurial vision with a commitment to making the world a better place. His work, spanning multiple sectors and regions, reflects a unique ability to integrate business acumen with a genuine dedication to improving global communities.

Our Story

At We Are The Impact, our journey began with a shared vision to drive meaningful social and environmental change. By empowering entrepreneurs, investors, and partners, we aim to create a sustainable future. Through education, collaboration, and innovation, we continue to inspire impactful ventures that address today's most urgent global challenges, aligned with the SDGs.

Founded on the belief that innovation drives social change, We Are The Impact was born to empower entrepreneurs and investors. Our journey began with a passion for sustainable development and a commitment to building vibrant, inclusive communities. Through educational programs, dynamic events, and strategic partnerships, we inspire scalable solutions that address global challenges and transform lives worldwide, fueling boundless progress.

Milestones

May – December 2024

Foundation & Strategic Partnerships

We Are The Impact was founded in May 2024 to empower impact-driven entrepreneurs and investors. Throughout 2024, we established strategic partnerships with Tokyo Innovation Base (Tokyo Metropolitan Government), Giving Tuesday Japan, and Tokyo Consortium, and participated in SME Support Japan’s entrepreneur education program. In October 2024, we successfully hosted our first major event, marking the beginning of our global impact initiatives.

January – March 2025

Growth & Industry Recognition

In March 2025, we will participate in the Japan Fintech Summit, gaining recognition for our innovative impact-driven initiatives. Additionally, we will host Impact Women Weekend and Impact Future Weekend, further expanding our influence and global network. These events will serve as key platforms to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers committed to driving sustainable impact.

April 2025 and Beyond

Education, Platform Launch & AI Integration

In April 2025, we will launch the Impact Venture Curriculum, equipping entrepreneurs and investors with structured education on impact ventures. Alongside this, we will introduce Space, our new platform for founders and investors to share and explore innovative projects. Later in 2025, we will integrate DeepSeek, enhancing our platform with cutting-edge AI capabilities to drive greater efficiency and insights in the impact investment ecosystem. Moving forward, we will continue expanding partnerships and initiatives, fostering a thriving, collaborative ecosystem for global impact.

Working With the Best Partners