In Episode 8 of The TOP Lessons podcast, your host Kathy Inglot sits down with Lu Zhang, Founder & Managing Partner of Fusion Fund, to explore her inspiring journey from Mongolia to Stanford and into the world of venture capital. Lu shares how her background in technology research led her to entrepreneurship and, ultimately, to founding her own VC firm as a way to fuel innovation. We dive into the future of AI, selecting the right partnerships, and why valuation is often an illusion. Lu reveals key lessons in enabling successful exits, due diligence for both founders and investors and the H.E.R. Approach to smart investing. Plus, don’t miss the practical questions every founder should ask themselves and Lu’s insights on where VC is headed in the next five years.
About Today’s Guest:
Lu Zhang, Founder and Managing Partner of Fusion Fund, is a renowned Silicon Valley-based investor, a serial entrepreneur, and a Stanford Engineering alumna. With a strong technical background, Lu has extensive experience bringing a broad range of technologies to commercialization and deep domain expertise in AI in healthcare, Enterprise AI/Networks, Edge Computing, and Data Privacy.
Before starting Fusion Fund, Lu was a serial entrepreneur and materials science researcher, eventually leading her to create Fusion Fund in 2015. Since then, Lu has built a distinguished ecosystem and established her reputation in the VC industry. She was honored as a Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum (Davos), Silicon Valley Women of Influence, Best 25 Female early-stage investor by Business Insider, Featured Honoree of VC of Forbes 30 under 30 and Town & Country 50 Modern Swans - Entrepreneurship Influencer.
Lu frequently speaks at high-profile tech conferences such as World Economic Forum(Davos), Future Investment Initiative (FII), Web Summit, SuperReturn, etc., and is a guest lecturer at Stanford University. Lu also serves as a board member of many portfolio companies, the Board Director of CommonSpirit Health Foundation, the Board and Chairwomen of the Youth Council of Future Science Award, and Jury Board of the Cartier Women Initiative and Young Leader Award. She holds an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University.
Key Points from this Episode:
Introduction of today’s guest, Lu Zhang
Lu’s pathway from Mongola to Standford and into venture capital
A background in technology research
Deciding to start her own company and become an entrepreneur
Venture capital as a means to support technology innovation and Lu’s curiosity
AI, innovation, and investing where growth opportunities exist
Selecting the right partnerships for a venture capital fund
Valuation is an illusion
The TOP Lessons in success enabling exits
Practical questions founders should ask themselves
Discussion in sticking to the strategy
Lessons in due diligence for founders and venture capitalists
The future of VC
The H.E.R. Approach
Mentioned on the Show:
Recommend a Guest for The TOP Lessons Podcast: kathy@kgroupventures.com
Connect with The TOP Lessons on Instagram: @thetoplessons
Business Insider: The Seed 25: The best female early-stage investors of 2021
CNBC: We must first make AI more affordable before thinking about scaling up use cases: Fusion Fund
The TOP Lessons Podcast Episode 1: Welcome to The TOP Lessons Podcast
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