At WeMaintain, our focus has always been to build a company around the people, on and off the field.That is why building out our product team in Asia was an important step in our growth plans. When looking for a Product Manager, we were looking for someone that not only had the right skill set, but also the right culture fit. And that’s how we met Lina! 

What triggered your interest in French Tech?

I grew up in Japan and started my career in the traditional (financial) industry, where the environment was often very hierarchical, male-dominated, manual, and low-margin. When I first worked on a project for a tech company, I was shocked by how financially efficient and scalable the tech industry could be. In the second year of my career, I had a burning desire to join this world (and escape from the “old”) to embrace the full potential of technology-driven business.

When I first encountered French Tech through WeMaintain, I was struck by the openness and entrepreneurial spirit of the ecosystem. The French startup scene is very unique — it spans a wide variety of sectors, unlike many other hubs where firms often cluster around “hot” areas like fintech, crypto, or web3. When I first heard from Ben and Byron about WeMaintain in 2021, I was amazed by how they were digitalizing an old, traditional, and highly regulated industry to make a real business and social impact — the very opposite of what I had tried to escape in my early career! I instantly thought it would be amazing to be part of WeMaintain, but since I had no experience in property or PropTech, my background didn’t seem like a good match. I became one of the many fans of WeMaintain from afar.

So I was over the moon when I was told that they opened a Product Management role in Asia — and even more thrilled when I received the call that they wanted to hire me! Ever since, it has been incredibly refreshing to see technology used not just for innovation’s sake, but to make tangible improvements in people’s lives — whether through sustainability, efficiency, or inclusivity. That mindset really resonates with me.

The thing you’re most proud of?

I’m proud of helping expand WeMaintain’s products across Asia — a unique region with diverse preferences across every step of the user journey. While it can be challenging, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our technology making everyday spaces safer, smarter, and more cost-efficient.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to represent WeMaintain at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025, where I met many industry players in Japan and introduced our offerings to Japanese customers for the first time. I was thrilled to see their positive impressions of Maximize — we received an overwhelming response, and it was one of the most exciting moments of my career.

Beyond that, I take great pride in my “life work” — mentoring. I mentor female founders through APT Women and MBA students at the National University of Singapore (NUS). I support aspiring product managers, entrepreneurs, and mothers who are considering pursuing an MBA. Being able to give back and help others find their path in tech, product management, and entrepreneurship is one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.

Your wildest career goal?

One day, I’d love to lead a global product or initiative that helps bridge cultures and markets — creating technology that solves meaningful problems in traditional industries, especially across Asia and Europe. I am passionate about showing how “old” industries can be transformed through tech, and about helping diverse voices — especially women and Asian leaders — have a stronger presence in shaping this future. I also hope to scale my mentoring work to help more women break into tech and product leadership globally.

If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?

If I could go back, I would tell my younger self to trust her instincts and lean into the opportunities that felt exciting — even if they didn’t fit the “traditional” path. Earlier in my career, I struggled to imagine myself in the tech world or in an international leadership role. But every time I stepped into something new — joining DeNA, moving to Singapore, taking the leap to join WeMaintain — it opened doors I hadn’t imagined. I’ve learned that embracing these moments of uncertainty is where real growth and joy happen.

Which 3 women inspire you?

• Rachna Sampayo, my mentor who supported me through one of the biggest career decisions of my life — joining WeMaintain! Her wisdom and encouragement gave me the clarity and confidence to follow my values. Thank you so much, Rachna — you will always be my role model and inspiration.
• Tomoko Namba, founder of DeNA. She inspired me at the very start of my tech career — I had the privilege of working at her company and celebrating a sales achievement at a dinner she hosted. Seeing her lead with both bold vision and warmth showed me what was possible for women in tech and entrepreneurship.
• My mother, who taught me resilience, kindness, and the importance of lifelong learning — lessons I carry with me every day. She has always pushed me to aim higher and step outside my comfort zone. Without her encouragement, I would never have studied or worked outside my home country — or even beyond my small and little-known hometown!

(And while not part of this question — I must say that the most inspiring person in my daily life is my husband! His incredible wisdom, sharp thinking, and constant encouragement help me grow every day, both personally and professionally. I’m truly grateful to walk this journey together with him.)

The Women in Tech series, an initiative led by La French Tech, spotlights the journeys, challenges, and achievements of women who are shaping the future of technology—one breakthrough at a time. If you’re interested in joining WeMaintain and want to learn more about how we can be a part of your career journey. Check out openings here!