Recently, the "Forbes China 2023 Top 100 Venture Capitalists" list was unveiled. Forbes China selected 100 investors from nearly a thousand candidates who have achieved excellent performance over the past five years. Thirteen alumni from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) were named on the list. For the sixth consecutive year, Neil Shen, founder and managing partner of Sequoia China, topped the list. Other SJTU alumni include Xue Cunhe, Mao Chengyu, Huang Mingming, Zhang Fei, Zhu Tianyu, Han Yan, Hou Haoxiang, Liu Qin, Ji Yue, Wang Xiao, Gao Xiang, and Xu Shi.
In the statistics of alma maters for the 100 listed venture capitalists, SJTU was one of the most mentioned universities. This achievement showcases SJTU's outstanding accomplishments in innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of SJTU alumni in the rapidly changing external environment.
Xue Cunhe
Alumnus of the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Class of 1982, majoring in Electrical Engineering.
Managing Partner at SoftBank China.
Before founding SoftBank China, Xue Cunhe was one of the founders of UTStarcom. As a renowned venture capitalist and high-tech entrepreneur both domestically and internationally, Xue has successful entrepreneurial and investment experience in the United States and China. SoftBank China, which he founded, is one of the active venture capital firms in mainland China and has appeared on lists such as "Forbes China Best Venture Capitalists." In 2016, before SJTU's 120th anniversary, Xue donated to establish the "Xue Cunhe Electrical Engineering Development Fund" to support the recruitment of renowned scholars and young faculty in the Electrical Engineering discipline, enhancing its academic reputation and research level, and expanding its influence both domestically and internationally. In 2016, Xue received the "Outstanding Alumni Synergy Contribution Memorial Award" from SJTU.
Neil Shen
Alumnus of the School of Mathematical Sciences, Class of 1985, majoring in Applied Mathematics.
Board member of SJTU, co-chair of the SJTU Alumni Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Association, trustee of the SJTU Education Development Foundation, chairman of the SJTU Mother Fund Management Committee, founder and managing partner of Sequoia China, and founder of Ctrip and Homeinns.
As a leading figure in the global investment community, Neil Shen has always valued the importance of technological progress and business innovation and is a builder of China's vibrant innovation ecosystem. He has consistently supported the development of his alma mater, initiating the "Zhi Yuan Outstanding Student Scholarship," the Yale University summer exchange program, the "Sequoia Xi'an" named professorship, and the medical research fund. In 2018, on SJTU's anniversary, Sequoia Capital China Fund donated to establish the "Sequoia—SJTU ACM Class Education Fund Scholarship" to encourage and support outstanding ACM class students at SJTU, helping them grow and succeed. Neil Shen received the "Outstanding Alumni Synergy Contribution Award" and the "Outstanding Alumni Synergy Contribution Meritorious Award" from SJTU in 2011 and 2016, respectively.
Mao Chengyu
Alumnus of the Antai College of Economics and Management, Class of 1993, majoring in Industrial Foreign Trade. Trustee of the SJTU Education Development Foundation, member of the SJTU Development Advisory Committee, and founding partner of Yunqi Partners.
Mao Chengyu has been in the Chinese venture capital industry for over 20 years, focusing on early- and mid-stage investment opportunities in frontier technology, industrial internet, fintech, and enterprise services. He has invested in nearly a hundred outstanding startups and has rich experience in strategic analysis and capital operations. In 2023, Mao donated to support the infrastructure of Zhi Yuan College and the Antai College of Economics and Management Engineering Hall Fund, receiving the "Outstanding Alumni Synergy Contribution Memorial Award" from SJTU.
Huang Mingming
Alumnus of the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Class of 1994, majoring in Industrial Electrical Automation.
Founding Partner of Future Capital.
Huang Mingming is one of China's earliest internet entrepreneurs with over 20 years of experience in the high-tech industry. In 2014, he founded Future Capital, an investment firm focused on high-tech fields. He is willing to be the first to believe in the dreams of entrepreneurs and become a long-term steadfast supporter of tech entrepreneurs. Future Capital was the first institutional investor in many tech unicorns such as Li Auto, Niu Technologies, Narwal, and Sensors Data and continued to participate in subsequent funding rounds.
Zhang Fei
Alumnus of the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Class of 1994, majoring in Automatic Control, and CEIBS MBA Class of 1998.
Partner at 5Y Capital.
Zhang Fei's investment direction covers communications, internet, and media. After joining 5Y Capital, Zhang, with over 20 years of investment experience, has researched and invested in high-growth companies in fields such as communications, social networks, internet, media, and artificial intelligence, including PPS, Kuaishou, Maimai, Xueqiu, SenseTime, and Pony.ai.
Zhu Tianyu
Alumnus of the Antai College of Economics and Management, Class of 1999, majoring in International Finance. Managing Partner at Blue Lake Capital.
Zhu Tianyu joined Blue Lake Capital in 2009, focusing on early-stage investments in consumer technology and frontier technology. He has led investments in successful early-stage projects such as Li Auto, Energy Monster, Qudian, Art Education, and Pony.ai. Before joining Blue Lake Capital, Zhu worked at Baidu and NetEase, responsible for mergers and acquisitions investments and strategic cooperation.
Han Yan
Alumnus of the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Class of 2004, majoring in Information Engineering.
Founding Partner at LightSpeed China Partners.
Han Yan has 15 years of venture capital experience. His lead investments include Xpeng Motors in Series A, Manbang Group in Series A, Finvolution Group in Series B, and other successful early-stage investments such as Xpeng Huitian, Fan Deng Reading, Blue Lake, Sunmi Technology, Inceptio Technology, MicroNet, and Landspace.
Hou Haoxiang
Alumnus of the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Class of 2011, and the Antai College of Economics and Management, Class of 2015, Master's program.
Founding Partner at Thick Capital.
Hou Haoxiang participated in the creation of multiple funds under Golden Sands Investment and served as the managing partner of the Sci-Tech Sub-Fund. In 2022, he founded Thick Capital, focusing on investment in the field of technological innovation. He has led investments in companies such as Bilibili, EHang, Gaotu Group, Rongbai Technology, Yangtze Semiconductor, SEMIT, Daosheng Tianhe, Tangfeng Energy, and Topken Technology, with nearly 50 invested companies and 15 IPOs. In 2023, to commemorate his great-grandfather Hou Shaoqiu (SJTU alumnus of 1918, SJTU's first Communist Party martyr), Hou donated to establish the "Shaoqiu Innovation Fund" to support technological innovation training at his alma mater and received the "Outstanding Alumni Synergy Contribution Memorial Award" from SJTU.
Liu Qin
Alumnus of CEIBS MBA Class of 1997.
Founding Partner at 5Y Capital.
Liu Qin joined Morningside Ventures early on and co-founded the Morningside China TMT Fund, focusing on investments in media, gaming, entertainment, and consumer services, as well as achievements in computer science and web-related fields. Liu insists on investing from an entrepreneur's perspective and has participated in projects such as Focus Media, Phoenix New Media, YY, UCWeb, Xiaomi, and Xunlei.
Ji Yue
Alumnus of CEIBS MBA Class of 1998.
Partner at Sequoia Capital.
Before joining Sequoia Capital, Ji Yue was one of the first employees of Seagate Technology China, holding various management positions and pioneering Seagate's development in China. In 1999, Ji began venture capital investing, leading or participating in investments in companies such as Ele.me, Dianping, Ganji.com, and Tuniu.
Wang Xiao
Alumnus of CEIBS EMBA Class of 2006.
Founder of Ninefold Ventures.
Wang Xiao is one of the earliest practitioners in China's internet industry, with over 20 years of experience in internet venture capital and entrepreneurship. In 2011, he founded Ninefold Ventures. Previously, as one of Baidu's "Seven Knights," he led the development of products such as Baidu Maps, Baidu Mobile Search, Baidu Mobile Input Method, and Baidu Enterprise Search Software. He has been repeatedly recognized as a top early-stage investor in China by institutions such as Zero2IPO and 36Kr.
Gao Xiang
Alumnus of CEIBS EMBA Class of 2009.
Founding Partner at Gaorong Capital.
Gao Xiang has over 17 years of venture capital experience, focusing on investments in the TMT field. He has invested in a batch of innovative companies in new entertainment, internet, and other areas, bringing extensive experience and resources to early and growth-stage startups. His projects include Huya Live, Tudou, 91 Assistant, 3G.cn, and Boss Zhipin.
Xu Shi
Alumnus of CEIBS EMBA program.
Founding Partner at Hillhouse Capital.
Xu Shi has many years of industry and investment experience. He created the NetEase News app with 400 million users and led the development of China's first famous online education app, NetEase Open Courses. In 2015, Xu co-founded Hillhouse Capital with Yang Haoyong, founder of Ganji.com and Chehaoduo. Xu's accumulated experience in product development has quickly gained recognition from entrepreneurs, leading to investments in Li Auto, RELX, Chehaoduo, FlashEx, Unknown Boy, Halara, Spark, MegaWisdom, Yuanbao Technology, and CyberKunlun.