TransLink Capital

Sung Park is a co-founder of TransLink Capital who focuses on mobility, particularly the technology migration of the automotive industry, and on helping Korean entrepreneurs expand into US, Japanese, and Chinese markets. Before TransLink, he founded SPK Inc. and Spitha Inc. in Korea, co-founded Soundpipe in the US, and worked as a router product manager at 3Com and at Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan. He holds an MBA from Stanford University and an S.B. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT.

Toshi Otani is a co-founder of Translink Capital who invests in software/SaaS companies across AI, cloud, infrastructure, and robotics with an enterprise focus, and leads the firm's efforts to help portfolio companies build customer and partner relationships in Japan. Earlier he was Senior Vice President at Everypath, leading business development and serving as General Manager for Japan, and previously ran Hikari Tsushin's U.S. VC operation in Palo Alto, where his investments included WebEx and SiRF. He began his career spending ten years at Mitsubishi Corporation and holds an MBA from Stanford Business School and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Keio University.

Jay Eum, an early Korean-origin Silicon Valley VC with corporate, cross-border and AI investing, leverages Samsung, SK and Asian corporate networks as a cross-border business development partner for US startups.

Brendan Walsh invests in companies with defensible technology, focusing on cloud computing infrastructure for data centers and enterprises across the semiconductor-to-software value chain, as well as sustainability and climate technologies. Before joining TransLink Capital, he built two $100M+ businesses at MaxLinear (NASDAQ: MXL), where he led functions from marketing and sales through the IPO process and later ran the 5G radio base station business unit. Earlier he spent five years in corporate venture in Silicon Valley at Hikari Tsushin and at Philips, where he managed US investments. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a BA in Japanese History and Language from UC Davis.

Eric Hsia invests in companies spanning health and information technology, retail technology, and consumer services, and helps TransLink's portfolio companies build customer and partner relationships in Asia while managing the firm's AI and blockchain investments. He previously was the founding Managing Director of the SoftBank Asia Infrastructure Fund (SAIF), launched in 2000 by SoftBank in partnership with Cisco Systems, and an associate partner at SoftBank Venture Capital. He holds a BA in Economics from Harvard College.

Frey Yang works at TransLink Capital from Greater China, where he supports investment and post-investment management for local portfolio companies and helps them build relationships with regional customers and partners. He previously worked as an investment banker at the Hina Group focused on private placement and M&A, as a Project Manager at IBM covering IT consulting projects for Greater China, and in the Financial Services Group at Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). He holds an MBA from Peking University, plus a Master in Software Engineering and a BA in Mechanical Engineering and Automation from Beijing Institute of Technology, and is a PMI-certified Project Manager (PMP).

Gwong-Yih Lee invests at TransLink Capital, focusing on communications/networking, IoT, cloud computing, and big data, and helps portfolio companies build strategic partnerships in China and Taiwan. He previously was Chairman & CEO of CyberTAN Technology, a Foxconn affiliate, where he also led some of Foxconn's corporate venture investments, and earlier founded TransMedia and Digicom Systems, which were acquired by Cisco Systems and Creative Technology respectively. He holds an MSEE from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a BSEE from National Chiao-Tung University in Taiwan.

Joonsuk Lee focuses on the high-tech and automotive industries, including autonomous driving, cloud computing, big data, and semiconductors, and supports China Mobility Fund portfolio companies and investors in Korea. Before TransLink Capital, he was VP of the Big Data Group and Connectivity Group at Hyundai Motor Company and a Senior Engagement Manager at McKinsey and Company, where he led corporate strategy work for clients such as Samsung, SK, and Hyundai; he earlier headed the R&D center at a semiconductor startup. He holds a Ph.D. in Mixed Signal Processing & Semiconductor and an M.A. and B.A. in Electrical Engineering from KAIST.

Kaz Kikuchi invests in companies applying emerging technologies such as industrial IoT, robotics, AI, and cloud to digitize traditional industries, and he supports portfolio companies and investors primarily in Japan. Before TransLink, he was a General Manager at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., where he led investment and business development, and he established A10 Networks K.K. as its first Country Manager. He later served as a Principal at G2VP (seconded from Mitsui) and holds a B.A. in Economics from Keio University.

Manabu Ando invests in mobility, ESG/carbon-neutral, and fintech companies and helps portfolio companies connect with local customers and partners in Japan. He previously served as Vice President at Saison Ventures, the venture arm of a major Japanese credit card company, and before that as Principal at DOCOMO Capital, where he handled U.S. investment activities. He holds a Master of Arts and Sciences in Information Studies from the University of Tokyo.

Sophia Jin has over 20 years of experience spanning venture investment, renewable energy, and retail/commerce. She was a founding member of Hanwha Group's corporate venture capital initiative in 2016, leading investments in climate tech, aerospace, and defense in the USA, and previously held roles at solar energy company Hanwha Q CELLS and worked as a buyer and merchandiser for the Galleria luxury department stores in Korea. At TransLink Capital she focuses on climate tech and retail/commerce/consumer tech, and helps oversee the firm's Korean portfolio companies and investor relationships. She holds an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University.

Tomohiro (Tom) Uchida focuses on enterprise software/SaaS and food tech investments, including novel foods and supply chain with an emphasis on sustainability, and helps portfolio companies build customer and partner relationships in Japan. Before TransLink Capital, he was Head of the new business development center at Hitachi Solutions, where he led business creation and ecosystem work in construction tech and smart building, launched two new businesses, and secured partnerships with 20 startups. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Keio University.

Kelvin Mu is a Principal at TransLink Capital who invests in artificial intelligence and machine learning across the stack, including hardware, foundational models, infrastructure, and applications. Before TransLink, he led strategy and business operations for two business units at Carta, and earlier held roles in business operations, strategy consulting, and investment banking in the US and Canada. He holds an MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and a BA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University, and writes about AI, technology, and business.

Masa Yamato invests in startups across mobility, climate/sustainability, and industrial innovation and automation. Before TransLink Capital, he served as a Senior Advisor to Toyota Ventures from its 2017 inception, helping establish the firm and raise its funds, and led the investment in Blackmore Sensors (later acquired by Aurora). He was also a Senior Advisor to Toyota Research Institute and previously worked in automotive R&D, production, HR, and corporate strategy at Toyota. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a Master of Engineering Management from Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering, an M.S. in Chemistry from Osaka University, and a B.S. from Michigan State University.

May Takahashi invests in sustainability, digital health, and fintech startups, and helps portfolio companies expand into Asia, particularly Japan. She previously worked as a Business Development Manager at Marubeni, where she focused on digital health and worked with medical AI startups in the US, and later as a Business Development and Investment Manager at DEFTA Partners, a healthcare-focused early-stage VC firm. She holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and a BA in Psychology from Aoyama Gakuin University.

Tiffany Huang invests in enterprise software companies within healthcare and sustainability, and collaborates with the NEC Orchestrating Future Fund on strategic investments for NEC. A former engineer, she began her career at Lux Research, a spin-out of Lux Capital, and later worked as an investor at Sony Ventures covering enterprise and healthcare deals before joining TransLink in 2022. She holds an MS in Materials Science and Engineering from UIUC and a BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Rutgers.

Darren Huang has more than 20 years of experience in finance and investment and currently serves as Chairman of GCS, Inc. Earlier in his career he was a partner at Asiavest Partner (2002-2014), Principal at Crimson Venture, VP of business development at iCareAsia, and a senior investment officer at InveStar, following corporate finance roles at W.I Carr and Grand Cathay Securities. He holds an MBA and MS from the University of Michigan and a B.S. from National Chiao-Tung University.

Jack Sheng is a Venture Partner at TransLink Capital, advising portfolio companies on strategy, scaling, and technology, and helping evaluate investments in retail, marketplaces, and logistics. He previously founded and led eForCity, a marketplace aggregator selling through Amazon, Walmart, Target, and eBay, and earlier worked as a management consultant at PwC focused on process reengineering and ERP implementation. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Luis Llovera spent over 23 years in venture capital, including 2008-2024 at Robert Bosch Venture Capital (RBVC), where he headed the North American office in Silicon Valley and led a team sourcing and evaluating deals. Before Bosch, he was an investment partner for over six years at Siemens Venture Capital, also based in Silicon Valley. He has more than seventeen years of operating experience in the high-tech industry.

Steve Carlin is a Venture Partner and Executive-in-Residence at TransLink Capital, where he advises portfolio companies on commercial operations and strategy and helps evaluate potential investments. He previously served as CEO of AiFi, President and Chief Strategy Officer at SoftBank Robotics America, and Global Head of Strategy for Gaming at Facebook, with earlier marketing and strategy roles at Ubisoft, Energizer, and Procter & Gamble. He holds a BA in Geology from Miami University and an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School.

Yuji Ichimura began his career at NEC Corporation, where he oversaw the company's global IT services business, before joining Konica Minolta in 2012 to manage its worldwide digital transformation initiatives. In 2022 he became Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer of Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, leading the group's digital transformation, and has served as a director and chairman of companies across several countries. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Osaka University and completed graduate school programs at Stanford University.

Ashley Kim is an investor at TransLink Capital, where she focuses on companies using AI to improve productivity across finance, marketing, sales, and robotics, and helps manage the firm's relationships with portfolio companies and investors in Korea. She previously worked as a research analyst at Matthews Asia, supporting portfolio managers with portfolio construction and analysis, and earlier held a role in KPMG's Deal Advisory and Strategy group advising private equity clients on due diligence. She holds a B.A. in Biology and Art History from Emory University.

Brian Tomogane works at Translink Capital, where he supports the firm's LPs, portfolio, and overall operations, including IT. He previously served as Vice President of Business Development at TIS R&D Center, connecting startups with TIS and doing some investment and portfolio management work, and earlier held roles at an ERP startup and a transportation IT department, as well as founding a company during university. He studied architecture at Osaka Institution of Technology.

Chris You is an investor at TransLink Capital focusing on mobility, robotics, and new energy. He began his career at Tongda Venture Capital in China, where he worked on TMT investments, and previously held internships at Legend Holdings, China Securities, and JD Capital. He holds a Master of Engineering from Peking University and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Anhui University.

Etone Sun is an Analyst at TransLink Capital focusing on AI/ML, hardware, and semiconductors, and assists portfolio companies with go-to-market strategy and connecting with Taiwan's industrial and semiconductor value chain. He previously was founding partner and portfolio manager at Medina Partners, a data-driven investment fund, and co-founded Bellykit Fintech, a platform for quantitative investment strategies aimed at retail investors. He holds a BBA from National Taiwan University.

Helen Fieler is Head of HR at TransLink Capital. She has over 15 years of experience in human resources, spanning both tactical and strategic functions.

Jonas Kjellstrand is a Senior Advisor to Translink Capital, where he focuses on evaluating and connecting with large corporate and institutional investors and the startup ecosystems in Northern Europe. He has more than 25 years of experience across multinational companies, having worked as a technology entrepreneur, corporate investor, and executive at a global analytics company, and more recently advising large Sweden-based industrial firms. He was educated at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stockholm School of Economics, and MIT, holding an MBA in technology innovation and business strategy.

Julia Okuyama joined TransLink Capital after working at Paidy, a PayPal company. Earlier in her career she spent several years in enterprise sales across the IT and SaaS industry, with roles at Datadog and MobileIron serving large enterprise customers in Japan. She studied Physics at Chuo University.

Peter Wallace is a Senior Advisor to TransLink Capital, where he focuses on evaluating and connecting with innovation centers and investors in the Australian and New Zealand innovation ecosystem. He has more than 30 years of experience across investment banking, venture investing, advisory, and technology entrepreneurship, including 23 years in venture capital, and has been an early investor in and board member of ventures that grew into multi-billion dollar companies. He holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from the University of New South Wales.

Shirley Chen is the Chief Financial Officer of TransLink Capital, overseeing finance, accounting and reporting, investor relations, and regulatory compliance. She began her career at Ernst & Young as an audit senior manager for private and public technology companies, and later held Director of Finance/Controller roles at a Bay Area venture capital firm and several technology startups. She is a licensed CPA in California and holds a Master in Professional Accountancy from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor in Business Administration from National Taiwan University.

Tyler Tanaka works with TransLink Capital's consumer companies in the digital health space, focusing on startups that collect data from the human body to deliver insights to consumers. He previously worked at Ernst & Young in the Financial Institutions Group of its Strategy and Transactions practice, and earlier at Bench, a Vancouver-based startup automating finance and accounting for small businesses. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia.

Investment Analyst at Agent Capital supporting portfolio management and due diligence. She holds MS and BS degrees in Biomedical Engineering and previously interned at NC IDEA and Genpact.

Omer Ijaz joined EJF in 2011 and oversees the firm's structured product strategy, focusing on specialty finance, insurance, and banking. He leads credit analysis and trust preferred CDO structuring for the Insurance and Bank Trust Preferred Securities team and handles structuring for bank subordinated debt CDOs, and has worked on numerous EJF-sponsored securitizations. Before EJF he held roles at Merrill Lynch, Citibank N.A., and Muslim Commercial Bank, and holds a BA in Business Economics from the College of Wooster.

Investment Principal and Head of Vietnam. Previously a founding member of VinaCapital Ventures and named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Vietnam in 2022.