Sanctuary for Changemakers

SAIGE House is a welcoming sanctuary for changemakers taking on global entrepreneurial challenges.
Having a place you feel safe gives you courage to take on challenges.

It’s a place where we can authentically be ourselves, engage in meaningful dialogue,
collaborate to share visions for building a better world, and become the leader that they were born to be

Learn more

About SAIGE House

Maki, leadership coach/trainer with extensive management and start up experience, bought the house in 2021 in Willow Glen, San Jose, and with her husband Zak, former Tech engineer/marketer and Venture Capitalist joined forces to open SAIGE House in 2023.

At SAIGE House, our mission is to empower visionary change-makers in innovation and leadership.

Our core values are:

  • Sustainability: Healing the earth by putting life in the center of our actions and decisions

  • Authenticity: Being self-aware and true to our own values

  • Innovation: Fusing unique ideas with practical solutions for startups and corporates to build a better future

  • Global Impact: Make positive impact linking cultures and disciplines for global transformation

  • Entrepreneurship: Mentoring new generations of conscious leaders

Our Services

  • Mentoring & Coaching

    We provide mentoring and coaching for entrepreneurs, leaders in organisations, and start-ups.

  • Training

    We provide various training for corporates and individuals, such as Leadership Programs, Mindfulness Training for leaders, Sustainability Training and Silicon Valley Mindset training,

  • Consulting

    We provide consulting services for Japanese corporations in Silicon Valley seeking collaborations with startup. We also help US companies seeking to enter the Japanese market.

Follow us


YouTube Channel “From Zero to Valley”
by Zak Murase and Wataru Kondo

Meet the Team

Husband-and-wife duo Maki and Zak created SAIGE House to empower changemakers to live passionately, creatively and courageously, lead mindfully, and regenerate the future.


  • Owner
    Leadership Coach
    External Board Member (Carta Holdings & Sun*)
    Zen2.0 Board Member
    Leadership/Mindfulness Trainer
    Former Country Manager at Farfetch

    With 12 years in finance, 8 years in e-commerce, and experience across three startups, followed by 8 years in leadership coaching, the career spans financial services, tech startups, and executive coaching.
    Began at UBS, later joining a U.S. securities firm in Japan as a founding member, leading sales training & marketing. Held marketing roles at Hartford Life and Fidelity Investments, contributing to business expansion.
    In 2009, co-founded Milleporte, a private sales platform. In 2015, launched Farfetch Japan as President/Country Manager, scaling operations to 40 employees and driving revenue growth. In 2017, established a Singaporean firm for market entry consulting and leadership coaching.
    Since 2021, based in Silicon Valley, leading Natural Leadership Coaching, focusing on executive and leadership development. Serves as external board director at CARTA Holdings (2021–2025) and Sun Asterisk (2023–), contributing to sustainability and DEI initiatives. Also a board member of Zen2.0, a global Zen and mindfulness conference in Kamakura.

    Education
    - Keio University (SFC), B.A. in Policy Management
    - INSEAD MBA

    Certifications
    Executive & Leadership Coaching
    - ICF(International Coaching Federation) ACC
    - CTI(Co-Active Training Institute) CPCC
    - TLC(The Leadership Coaching) Certified Practitioner
    - MBTI Practitioner
    Organizational & Systems Coaching
    - ORSC Advanced
    - CLA(Collective Leadership Assessment) Certified Practitioner
    Mindfulness Training
    - MBSAT (Mindfulness Based Strategic Awareness Training at Singapore Mgmt Univ.) – First Japan-Certified Teacher


  • Property Manager
    Mentor / Consultant
    Former VC

    Based in Silicon Valley for 27 years, with extensive experience in technology, venture investment, and startup mentorship.
    Started as a software engineer at Sony, later relocating to Silicon Valley in 1998 as the Product Manager for VAIO PCs. Led initiatives across PlayStation Network U.S., optical drive businesses, and UX development, collaborating with startups. Departed Sony U.S. in 2013.
    Joined Global Brain, a leading independent Japanese venture capital firm, as the head of its Silicon Valley office, managing U.S. startup investments for CVC funds from KDDI, Mitsui Fudosan, and others. Led investments in 14 companies across seed to late-stage, managing a portfolio of 18 startups.
    In 2017, founded Pacific Sky Partners, supporting Japanese corporations' Silicon Valley ventures, including launching Dentsu Ventures, MS&AD Ventures, and Zeon Ventures.
    Has mentored over 300 entrepreneurs through programs such as Women’s Startup Lab and J-StarX.
    Currently a Partner at AZCA, leading AZCA Venture Studios, a Silicon Valley-based consulting and venture firm.

    Education

    • Keio University (SFC), B.A. in Environmental Information Studies

Contact us.

info@saige-sv.com

The Space / Environment

We believe safe space can bring out one’s true potential

  • Creating connections in a relaxed environment

  • A space for introspection

  • Surrounded by California native plants, butterflies, bees, and birds

  • Supportive Community

  • Rejuvenating in the sauna and cold plunge

  • Playing with friendly dogs

In the Willow Glen area of San Jose, California, the land was home to the Ohlone people for 5 - 8,000 years, a Native American tribe that lived in harmony with nature.

  • The garden was replanted with native Californian plants, which are drought tolerant, self-sustaining and a natural habitat for the local ecosystem to thrive. It is a Certified Wildlife Habitat Garden providing habitat for local insects and animals like butterflies, bees and birds.

  • Waste is composted through VermiComposting and Dry Composting, producing high-quality soil at home.

  • Chickens are raised for fresh eggs and provide fertiliser while helping to mix the dry compost.

  • Equipped with solar panels for sustainable energy.

  • The garden produces a variety of fruits year-round, including lemon, orange, grapefruit, yuzu, persimmon, pomegranate, passion fruit, peach, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

  • We also grow vegetables such as celery, kale, tomatoes, eggplants, and herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary, mint, green onions, and myoga.