Michael Lee has been general manager of business solution group for Taiwan-based consumer electronics manufacturer Qisda, formerly known as BenQ, since 2001, where he started the corporate venture capital (CVC) remit since 2015.
He was head of research and development of Qisda business units and managing director of the industrial automation business unit at Qisda from 2008 to 2015. He was responsible for M&A strategy when he served as special assistant to Qisda chief executive, leading strategy alliance with computer manufacturer DFI and computer terminal manufacturer Partner Tech.
After that, Lee worked as chief operating officer at DFI from 2015 to 2016, and the CEO of Partner Tech from 2017 to 2018.
Jack JT Huang, founder of Taiwan Renaissance Platform and honorary chairman, Taiwan Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Council, said: “Whenever Qisda – a premier OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and ODM (original design manufacturer) company with $5.2bn in annual revenue – identifies a pivotal investment in a key sector, and must ensure the success of its portfolio company, Michael Lee is the person they entrust to drive the deal, participate on the board, and even guide the management team with sleeves rolled up.
“He has rewarded this trust by steering Qisda’s corporate venturing to an impressive record, with multiple portfolio companies going on to achieve success in the public markets. An electrical engineer by training, Michael has broad expertise in databases, data mining, mobile computing, display technologies, and multimedia networking, and is the author of 20-plus papers and 150-plus patents.
“From setting the group’s strategic compass in corporate venturing, nailing the nitty-gritty of every deal, to driving portfolio success, Michael is the most trusted emerging leader for one of the top companies in Asia.”
While hoping that CVC contribution can be over 50% of Qisda group, Lee said the biggest challenges come from the human resource organisation and business synergies. He has invested more than 20 deals, which included seven public companies, with $1.7bn turnover in 2019.
Lee received a bachelor of science and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University. His research interests include databases, data mining, mobile computing, flat panel display and multimedia networking.
