Jolt Capital Appoints Tomohiko Tanaka as Value Creation Partner in Tokyo

Jolt Capital, the leading European growth deeptech capital firm, today announced the appointment of Tomohiko Tanaka as Value Creation Partner, based in Tokyo (Japan). 

Dr. Tanaka brings almost 20 years of experience in medical technologies, innovation management, and R&D leadership. Most recently, he served as Director within Olympus’ Center of Development Excellence, leading global initiatives to harmonize R&D processes across Japan, Europe, and the United States. Prior to Olympus, he held senior research and innovation positions at Fujifilm and Hitachi, where he led the R&D of breakthrough technologies in ultrasound imaging and minimally invasive surgery. 

An inventor of more than 30 patents and author of more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Tanaka has built a distinguished track record of transforming advanced technologies into commercial and clinical success. His achievements include pioneering ultrasound-based blood-flow visualization technology in collaboration with leading institutions across worldwide.

As Value Creation Partner, Dr. Tanaka will work closely with Jolt Capital’s portfolio companies, supporting leadership teams on innovation strategy, R&D excellence, product development, intellectual property, and international growth. He will be based in Tokyo, with Jolt Japan’s Managing Director Akira Okada. 

“Tomohiko brings a rare combination of deep scientific expertise, operational leadership, and hands-on innovation experience,” said Jean Schmitt, Managing Partner of Jolt Capital. “Having led global R&D transformation initiatives and successfully brought breakthrough medical technologies from concept to market, he is ideally positioned to help our portfolio companies accelerate growth and maximize value creation.” 

“I am delighted to join Jolt Capital and contribute to the development of Europe’s next generation of deeptech champions,” said Dr. Tomohiko Tanaka. “Throughout my career, I have focused on bridging research, innovation, and business impact. I look forward to working alongside entrepreneurs and management teams to help transform world-class technologies into sustainable market leaders.”