A venture capital firm, also known as an early stage investment fund, is a business that supports entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch and grow their businesses. Venture capitalists (VCS) usually invest in startup companies that have great potential to become big companies. VCs provide financing for new businesses, but they do not play an active role in operations or management. In return for this capital, VCs receive ownership rights in the companies they finance.
1. Netrease
NetEase is a Chinese Internet company that provides online games and entertainment services. It is the largest gaming company in China, with over 200 million monthly active users on its gaming platforms.
NetEase has two main business segments: e-commerce and gaming. The first includes NetEase Kaola (an online shopping platform), Luoluo (a luxury goods marketplace), and Alimama (a marketing platform). The latter includes NetEase games which include Shenzhen Zanq Technology Co Ltd as well as Alitrip which is listed on NASDAQ under the ticker Alibaba.
In 2019, NetEase announced plans to invest billion in developing AI technology for businesses by 2022.
2. FUMI Technology
FUMI Technology is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies in China. It was founded in 2018 by former Sequoia Capital China partner James Mi, who left the company to start Fumi.
Fumi has invested in more than 20 companies so far, including Toutiao and Didi Chuxing (the latter had raised billion from Softbank Group and other investors before it was acquired by Didi Chuxing).
The company has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Silicon Valley, Taipei and Tokyo.
3. Agricultural Bank of China
The Agricultural Bank of China is a Chinese state banking institution. It was founded on October 1, 2001 by the merger of Agricultural Bank of China, People’s Construction Bank of China and China International Trust and Investment Corporation.
4.36kr
36KR is a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups. He has invested in over 200 startups over the past 10 years and has raised over 0 million to date. The company provides seed investments, as well as follow-on funding for its portfolio companies. As part of its investment strategy, 36KR offers access to its network of investors, including angel investors and family offices.
36 KR’s portfolio includes companies such as OBIKE (Bike Sharing Platform), Qianshi (Decision Making Platform), Tianya Club (Social Networking Site), Kingsoft Cloud Computing Ltd., which went public at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2016; Zhihu (Q&A) and Pinduoduo (electronic group of the group).
5. Source code capital
Source Code Capital is a venture capital firm based in Beijing and San Francisco. The company was founded in 2015 by former Sequoia Capital China partner James Mi.
Source Code Capital is focused on investing in early-stage companies across the technology landscape, including Computer Vision and Machine Learning, Fintech Analytics and Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Learning / Deep Recognition / Natural Language Processing (NLP), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Robotics, Internet Finance, Mobile Internet Applications and more.
James MI has been ranked among the top 20 most influential Chinese high-tech industry executives by Forbes China every year since 2014. He is also an investor from many well-known Chinese startups such as Mobike, Meituan Dianping and Didi Chuxing
6. Lexin
Lexin Capital is a venture capital firm investing in AI, blockchain and other emerging technologies.
The company has invested in many Chinese companies such as Tencent, JD.com and Ant Financial.
7. Hillhouse Capital Group
You may not be familiar with Hillhouse Capital Group, but you probably know some of the companies they have invested in. Hillhouse has invested in JD.com, Meituan-Dianping and Yy and WeChat.
8. Lilly Asia Ventures
Lilly Asia Ventures is a venture capital fund focused on early-stage technology companies in China. Founded in July 2018, Lilly Asia Ventures was created by Eli Lilly and Company, a pharmaceutical company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company targets opportunities in various industries, including healthcare products and life science products; Digital Health Solutions; consumer welfare products; diagnostic devices and instruments; Medical equipement; Robotics and automation technologies; Internet of Things (IoT) technologies; Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for healthcare industry and smart city applications.
Lilly Asia Ventures focuses on investment opportunities throughout Southeast Asia, but also invests globally when they see an opportunity that meets their criteria.
9. Sinolation Ventures
Founded in Beijing in 2009, Sinovation Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early stage startups. The company has invested in more than 90 startups since its inception and has offices in Beijing and Silicon Valley. Some of the best-known companies that Sinovation has invested in through its billion fund include Mobike (bike sharing), Meituan-Dianping (food delivery), Eleme (online restaurant delivery), Didi Chuxing (Ride Helil/Taxi Booking app) , Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, the self-driving technology developer, self-driving technology developer Shanghai Yutong Group Co Ltd.
Sinovation Ventures also provides seed funding for young entrepreneurs who lack the capital to launch their own startup ventures but have great ideas for new ventures or are working on innovative projects that can benefit from the access to resources available at Sinovation Ventures, including knowledge of what investors look for when investing, introductions to other members of this network, which may facilitate further connections with clients/partners/employees potential, etc., the support of mentors who have experience of successful businesses before getting involved in this particular program among others.
10.Invault CN
Invault is a venture capital firm focused on the internet industry. Invault was founded in 2016 by Yang Bing, founder and CEO of 58.com (NYSE: Wuba), and has since invested in more than 100 companies. Since its founding, Invault has invested in some of China’s largest Internet companies such as Bilibili (Nasdaq: Bili), Douyu (NYSE: Douyu), Huya (Nasdaq: Yy) and Yixia Tech (Nasdaqgs: Xia).
11. Fenbushi Capital
Fenbushi Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in blockchain companies. The fund was founded in 2015 by Bo Shen and Feng Xiao, two well-known personalities within the cryptocurrency community. Fenbushi Capital has invested in dozens of blockchain companies, including Circle, Coinbase, and Vechain.
Companies that have received funding from Fenbushi include Qtum (a mobile decentralized application platform), Zilliqa (a scalable blockchain platform), Omisego (a next-generation decentralized exchange and payment network), Storm Token / Storm Market Inc., Makerdao / Maker Dao (Stablecoin Project), 0x Protocol Foundation Inc., Etherecash / EtherCash Inc., Sonm Network Ltd., Bitfwd Co Ltd.
12. Duanrong
Duanrong is a venture capital firm that has invested in over 300 companies in China, including Mobike and Didi Chuxing. Founded in 2015 by Wang Feng, Duanrong focuses on investing in internet and mobile commerce, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing and other emerging technologies.
Duanrong was originally named Fenghua Capital Management Co., Ltd., but changed its name to Duanrong Investment Management Co., Ltd. After being approved as a private investment management company by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (Safe).
13. Hexindai
Hexindai is a leading venture capital firm investing in AI, Big Data, Blockchain and Fintech. The company invests in startups with strong technological capabilities and a clear competitive advantage. Its investment strategy focuses on the core competencies of AI, Big Data, Blockchain and Fintech.
The firm has invested in more than 25 companies, including Didi Chuxing (China’s largest ridesharing app), Mobike (First Bike Sharing Platform), Toutiao (China’s News Aggregator), and Eleme Financial Services Co., Ltd. (a leading high-tech company) .
14. Merchants’ Capital of China
China Merchants Capital is a private equity firm investing in technology, healthcare and consumer sectors in China. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Beijing, with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. China Merchants Capital has over billion under management, making it one of the most funded venture capital firms on this list. The firm has invested in over 200 companies in various industries since its founding – some of which include:
15. Capital Sky9
Sky9 Capital is a Chinese venture capital firm. Sky9 Capital was founded in 2011 by Cai Wensheng and Li Zhenyu.
Sky9 Capital has invested in more than 20 companies in China and the United States, including Lending Club and Metaio.
16.Fosun International
Fosun International is a Chinese conglomerate with investments in insurance, steel, real estate and other businesses. It was founded in 1992 by Guo Guangchang. Fosun International’s portfolio includes Cirque du Soleil theme parks, Club Med chain of resorts, French fashion brand National costume and French Football Club Wolverhampton Wanderers FC..
In 2016, it was reported that Fosun International had placed a bid for Liverpool Football Club, but this did not materialize due to concerns over UEFA financial lounge regulations.
Conclusion
In today’s venture capital world, it can be difficult to know who to trust and where to look. The market is still young and there are many players waiting in the wings. We hope this list makes it easier for you to narrow down some of the best options available at any time.