Toshi Otani

Toshi Otani is a co-founder and Managing Director of TransLink Capital. Toshi has over 17 years of experience in management of and investment in high-tech companies.

Toshi started his career at Mitsubishi Corporation, the world’s largest trading firm, where he was in charge of multiple investment and business development projects in the IT industry. During his tenure at Mitsubishi, he assumed roles within sales, marketing, project management, and business development, working with multiple U.S.-based start-ups which Mitsubishi had developed relationships with.

After getting his MBA at Stanford Business School, Toshi assumed the role of President of Hikari Tsushin’s VC operation in the U.S. He was responsible for a six person investment team in the Palo Alto office of Hikari Tsushin and led investments in successful companies such as WebEx (WEBX) and SiRF (SIRF).

After Hikari Tsushin, Toshi was recruited to a position as Senior Vice President of Everypath Inc.. As a member of the CEO’s direct management team, Toshi contributed to reforming Everypath’s corporate strategy for global operations. He founded the Japanese subsidiary of Everypath and served as its General Manager and Representative Director where he was responsible for all Japanese corporate functions including sales, marketing, project management, customer support, and R&D. Toshi grew Asian operations from one person to a team of over 20 professionals which generated over 60% of Everypath's worldwide business for five consecutive years. His operational skills allowed Everypath Japan to meet projected revenues within 5% of forecast for 18 consecutive quarters in a highly competitive environment.