Karen Zhang, executive director for investment at China-based internet company Baidu, has moved on to principal and head of China internet and technology at growth equity firm General Atlantic.
Zhang joined Baidu in February 2015 and her deals covered mid to late-stage technology and media, and included Lianjia.com, Miya Baby, Edaixi, Doumi, MWee, SMI Culture, LeCheBang, Kuaishou, Womai.com and Bolomi.
As a China-based director at Japan-listed investment company Jafco for nearly six-and–a-half years, Zhang sat on boards of Boqii.com, Showworld, EasyPrint, iHaveu.com, Motor2, and DHGate.com.
Those board positions can be added to successful flotations of Tarena and eHi on US stock exchanges, and trade sales of 51wan.com, acquired by Great Wall Cartoon for $80m, and Amsky at a five-times return on investment.
Zhang first managed companies while at Goldman Sachs after the millennium before becoming an associate in the global principal investment division of investment banking peer Merrill Lynch until September 2008.
At Merrill Lynch, she made four growth equity deals sized at between $20m and $40m in the greater China area.
Editor’s note: Zhang’s move identified by reporter Robin Brinkworth through research for the next GCV Rising Stars awards in 2018.