A seasoned serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of leadership experience in technology, e-commerce, and global systems integration, Bruce Watanabe has co-founded and successfully exited several high-growth ventures. His work spans early-stage startups to large multinational corporations, giving him a unique perspective on scaling businesses in both the B2B and B2C sectors.

Currently, as the Co-Founder & CEO of PowerBuy, Bruce is pioneering a new era of social commerce with a platform that integrates Group Buy, Multi-SKU checkout, Social Gamification, and AI-powered shopping. PowerBuy's innovative approach transforms the traditional e-commerce model, helping brands and retailers reach their target audiences in new and interactive ways. Under his leadership, PowerBuy has gained significant traction in the social commerce space, providing brands with a platform for increased consumer engagement and sales.

Bruce also co-founded SETA International, a global systems integrator and technology solutions provider with a presence in over 20 countries. For 17 years, SETA has been delivering comprehensive AI, cloud, mobile, and web-based solutions to top enterprises worldwide, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. With over 500 employees globally, SETA continues to play a pivotal role in helping clients navigate the complexities of digital transformation.

Before launching his own ventures, Bruce held various leadership positions at IBM, including Channel Executive for IBM Analytics and IBM Commerce. Over his 11-year tenure at IBM, he built strong relationships with key partners, contributed to product development, and helped businesses drive growth through innovative technology solutions. Bruce’s international experience includes a significant role as Business Unit Executive in Beijing, where he managed operations and services for the company’s growing presence in Asia.
 

A visionary strategist with expertise in corporate development, business scaling, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), sales, and channel development, Bruce is passionate about solving complex business challenges through technology. He thrives on building high-performance teams and developing cutting-edge solutions that create lasting value for users and customers. Bruce also served on the Orange County Leadership Council and is an advocate for cultivating entrepreneurship and leadership in the tech and innovation sectors.
 

Education
● Master of Business Administration (MBA), Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management
● Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration, University of California, Irvine (UCI)
 

"I’m thrilled to join the BRDG Board of Trustees in 2025. After meeting with Caecilia and learning more about her vision and the mission of BRDG, I am convinced that true equality and equity in our fast-evolving and diverse society can only be achieved when every community is meaningfully included.
 

I am deeply committed to BRDG’s efforts to empower technological leaders from underrepresented and under-served communities, whose unique perspectives will be crucial in shaping our shared future."