Mike Piechalak

Mike Piechalak is a seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in early and growth stage investments, currently serving as Partner at Rakuten Capital since September 2014. In this role, Mike focuses on sectors such as fintech, mobility, sustainability/climate tech, retail tech, telecom, and media. Additionally, Mike has held the position of Director in the Corporate Development – Strategic Investment Section at Rakuten, overseeing M&A, investments, and partnerships across key business verticals including e-commerce, digital contents, and financial services. Prior experience includes an investment banking role at Lehman Brothers and private equity investments at H.I.G. Capital and GESD Capital Partners from 2000 to 2014. Mike holds an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University.