Zhu Linan founded Legend Capital in 2001 with a $35m fund, and is now chief executive of China-based computer maker Legend’s corporate venturing group, which was renamed Junlian in 2012, as well as Legend Holdings, the parent group.
At the end of last year, Junlian’s team managed 14 dollar-renminbi funds and had made 72 new project investments that year and sold stock in 22, returning RMB1.2bn ($185m). It has invested in more than 180 companies, split between strategic and financial investments.
In his annual review for last year, Zhu said: “Looking forward to 2016 and the longer future, Legend Holdings will continue to emphasise the investment themes of consumption and services for our strategic investment business, with resources concentrated in fields such as financial services, healthcare services, agriculture and food as well as internet and consumer innovations.
“Meanwhile, facing an increasingly integrated global economy, we will create and manage our portfolios from a global perspective. The financial investment business will apply both conventional and novel strategies combining both short-term and long-term horizons.”
Zhu noted last year’s strategic investments, such as Social Touch and XYWY.com in services and Cloud Farm and Liquor Easy in agriculture and food. Beyond Legend Capital/Junlian, the group also has a private equity-focused group, Hony Capital, and an angel investment team, Legend Star. However, the lines between Legend Capital and Hony can be blurred, as Legend was part of a consortium paying $3.6bn for US-based printer Lexmark last month.
Zhu started his career with Legend in 1989, when he joined Shenzhen Legend Computer and rose to general manager of the company. In 1993, he left Legend to start a venture engaged in IT system integration and software development business.
After four years, he rejoined Legend Group and served in succession as general manager of business planning, vice-president and senior vice-president of the group. As president of Legend’s executive committee, he was responsible for the business development of Lenovo Group, which has just set up a separate $500m CVC fund, and last year’s flotation in Hong Kong. Zhu holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Shanghai Jiaotong University.