Olympus Innovation Ventures

History

2021: Foundation

In mid-November 2021, Olympus announced the creation of a fund called Olympus Innovation Ventures, which was created with the aim of investing startups in the field of medical technologies. Touchdown Ventures will help manage the fund.

Tokyo Olympus, said in a press release that the venture fund will invest in advanced startups with innovative medical technologies that improve clinical outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and improve patients' overall quality of life. Among the startups will be those that seek to radically improve disease detection and treatment and modify the surgical room, expanding Olympus' strategy to strengthen endoscopy and create next-generation tools and procedures for minimally invasive surgery.

Olympus created a fund for $50 million investment in medtech

Our investments highlight our desire to make people's lives safer, healthier and richer. Our goal is for this fund to continue our history of innovation and support our long-term growth and transformation in medical technology, "Olympus CEO Yasuo Takeuchi said in a release.

The company allocated $50 million for initial obligations and subsequent investments. The venture fund does not depend on the stage of development of startups, but priority will be given to young companies in the early and growing stages, which specialize in such areas as gastroenterology, respiratory medicine or urology. In addition to capital, Olympus will help portfolio companies with clinical and technical expertise, access to healthcare professionals and hospitals, and the ability to launch and scale in the global market.

Olympus hopes that the experience in the company's business will be useful for initial startups and for the development of medical technologies in general. The company offers access to additional sources of funding through the Olympus Innovation Ventures fund if both parties are interested.^[1]

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