Even the most successful companies usually begin with little more than an idea, but it takes much, much more to grow a concept into a business. Angel investors and venture capital investments are without doubt a crucial element in our tech ecosystem. At TechCrunch Shanghai this year, we are pleased to have a group of top VCs in China to share their stories on contributing to the boom industry of Chinese startups.
More speakers and guests will be announced on a rolling basis. Please check back for announcements. If you’re looking to buy tickets register here.
James Mi, Co-Founder at LightSpeed China Partners
James is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lightspeed China Partners, a leading China-focused early-stage venture capital firm with investments in internet, mobile, services, and information technology. The venture capital’s portfolio companies include Dianping, MediaV, Rong360, eDaijia, Tujia & Innolight.
Previously, James was Managing Director with Silicon Valley-based Lightspeed Venture Partners which manages over USD 2 billion in assets over a series of global offices. Prior to LSVP, James was Director of Corporate Development for Google, responsible for the company’s strategic investments and M&A efforts in Greater China and the pan-Asian region. During this tenure, he led investments in leading Chinese Internet companies including Baidu, Dianping, Xunlei, Tianya and Ganji.
James received a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University and a B.S. in Physics from Fudan University. In addition, James received executive management training at Stanford University. James holds 14 U.S. patents in flash memory, communications, Internet security, and commerce. In 2012, James was named by The Founder Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Most Respected VCs in China”.
Duane Kuang, Founding Managing Partner at Qiming Venture Partners
Duane is a Founding Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners. He has over 20 years of IT industry operational and investment experience. Duane started his career in 1988 as a software engineer at 3Com Corporation, and 3 years later joined Kalpana Inc, a Silicon Valley startup company later acquired by Cisco as an engineering manager.
He returned to China in 1994 and started his venture capital career in 1999. Prior to founding Qiming, Duane was the Director of Intel Capital China. During his six-year tenure at Intel Capital, Duane had overall responsibilities for Intel Capital’s investment activities in China. Duane is a governor of the China Venture Capital Association.
Hans Tung, Partner at GGV Capital
Hans joined GGV Capital Qiming Venture Partners in 2013 as a Managing Partner to focus on mobile Internet, cross border ecommerce, online education, and gaming industry investments.
Hans has been involved in a wide spread of Chinese startups that have since become category leaders, including Xiaomi, Mafengwo Travel, Vancl.com, Domob Mobile, 51fanli, Forgame, and eHi Car Rental.
Hans has been ranked as a top VC on the Forbes Midas list the past three years (2013, 2014, and 2015). He was also recognized by The Founder and CBN News magazines as a Top 10 Most-Entrepreneur-Friendly VC in China.
Ken Xu, Investment Partner at Gobi Partners
Ken joined Gobi in 2003 and was made partner in 2007. Previously, he worked as an investment representative for a Shanghai-based investment company where he was responsible for personal financial management and investment consulting services.
Ken focuses on wireless and broadband applications, education, and the digital television sector. He has multi-industry experience in China covering IT, financial services, real estate, and construction.
Steven Ji, Partner at Sequoia Capital China
Prior to joining Sequoia Capital in 2005, Steven had been with Walden International, Vertex Management and CIV Venture Capital where he was in charge of numbers of investment projects.
Steven Ji was also among the first group of employees of Seagate Technology China, where he held several managerial posts successively.
Steven received his MBA from China Europe International Business School and bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Feng Li, Partner at IDG Capital
Feng Li is actively involved in investment in education, consumer services, TMT and other high-tech related fields. In the joint of internet and finance, Mr. Li led the investments into Credit Ease, Ripple, Coinbase, Baifendian and Wacai.
Mr. Li launched two start-ups before joining New Oriental Education & Technology Group, where he worked for eight years holding several core management in different departments including education systems, sub-brand’s establishment and promotion, distance education and subsidiary products. After leaving New Oriental in early 2007, he created Miaozhen System, a renowned big-data driven advertising company.
Before that, Mr. Li served at China Renaissance, where he was involved in leading many financing cases. Mr. Li received his M.S. in Chemistry from University of Rochester and BS in Chemistry from Peking University.