
Hillhouse Investment is a global investment firm that focuses on long-term value creation through its investment strategies. It was founded in 2005 by Zhang Lei, a Chinese entrepreneur and investor.
Hillhouse Investment has a strong presence in Asia, particularly in China, where it has invested in numerous successful companies. Its investment portfolio includes well-known companies like Alibaba and Tencent.
The firm's investment approach is centered around partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs and management teams to drive growth and innovation. Hillhouse Investment's team of experienced professionals provides strategic guidance and support to its portfolio companies.
With a strong track record of successful investments, Hillhouse Investment has become a respected player in the global investment landscape.
Overview
Hillhouse Investment was founded in 2005 by Lei Zhang, and its initial seed capital came from the Yale University endowment.
The firm has since grown significantly, with offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, and New York.
Hillhouse manages capital for a variety of institutional clients, including family offices, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, foundations, and university endowments.
They focus their investments across several sectors, including financial services, technology, healthcare, and consumer.
History

Hillhouse Investment was founded in June 2005 by Lei Zhang with an initial US$20 million of seed capital from Yale University's endowment.
The firm has experienced rapid growth due to its strong track record, with up to 52% annualized returns from inception until 2021.
By 2017, Hillhouse had participated in more private equity acquisitions in the Asia-Pacific region than any other private equity firm, totaling $26 billion worth of transactions.
Hillhouse has a strong presence in the region, with offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong, as well as additional offices in London and New York.
In 2020, Hillhouse spun off its venture capital unit into an independent fund called GL Ventures.
By 2021, the firm was managing $100 billion in assets and was nearing raising US$18 billion to back three new funds, with $10 billion to be allocated to buyouts.
Hillhouse completed fundraising for its fifth flagship private equity investment fund at US$18 billion in August 2021, breaking the previous record set by KKR's US$15 billion pan-Asia private equity fund.
The firm started its first real estate-focused fund, the Hillhouse Real Asset Opportunities Fund (RAOF), in 2022, with a total investment of more than $2 billion.
Why

When researching a potential investment firm, it's essential to understand the "Why" behind your interest in them.
Doing your homework is crucial, and one way to do this is by listening to interviews with the firm's founders, management team, and investors.
You can also get to know the firm's leaders, like Lei Zhang, Chairman & Founder of Hillhouse Investment, who shares his insights at events like the Global Financial Leaders' Summit.
Mentioning specific employees you've met during networking efforts can also show your genuine interest in the firm.
Investment Details
Hillhouse Investment Management Ltd is a firm with a significant presence in the investment world. It has a total AUM of $806.448 billion.
The firm has a global reach, with 71 accounts managed on behalf of non-United States persons, accounting for $62.0 billion of its total AUM. This breakdown suggests that Hillhouse Investment Management Ltd has a strong international presence.
Hillhouse Investment Management Ltd has a team of 344 employees, with 35% of them being investors and 0% being brokers. This indicates a strong focus on investment management.
Here is a list of some of the notable investments made by Hillhouse Investment Management Ltd:
The firm has also made investments in various sectors, including technology and healthcare.
Philosophy
At Hillhouse, they do deep and fundamental research on industries and business models. This approach allows them to make informed investment decisions.
They apply the value investing philosophy in local contexts, which means they consider the specific market and environment when investing in different geographies.
Hillhouse brings together leaders of their portfolio companies to share insights, believing that executives can learn from one another.
This collaborative approach helps to foster a culture of knowledge sharing and growth within their investments.
Hillhouse has argued that technological innovation can be harnessed for job creation, rather than just disruption, in traditional industries.
Assets, Funds, Holdings
Hillhouse Investment has a significant presence in the investment world, with a massive $62.0 billion in assets under management as of 2023-03-31. This is a staggering amount, and it's no wonder they're one of the top players in the industry.
They have a diverse portfolio, with investments in various sectors, including technology. For instance, they have a significant stake in PDD, a Chinese e-commerce company, with a market capitalization of $79.6 billion and a value of $1.2 billion in their portfolio.
One of the notable funds managed by Hillhouse is the Hillhouse GBT Fund LP, which has an AUM of $169.3 million as of 2023-03-31. They also have other funds like the Hillhouse Venture Fund VI LP, with an AUM of $169.7 million, and the Hillhouse Climate Fund LP, with an AUM of $151.7 million.
Hillhouse has a global presence, with investments in various countries. They have a significant AUM of $62.0 billion, which is comprised of 71 accounts, with 62.0 billion in assets under management.
Here's a breakdown of their AUM by client type:
Hillhouse also has a presence in the Form 13D/13G filings, where they have disclosed their stakes in various companies, including Hesai Group, Sagimet Biosciences Inc, and Enfusion Inc.
Projects and Transactions
Hillhouse was an early investor in JD.com, investing $255 million in the company that eventually became valued at $26 billion after listing on NASDAQ in May 2014.
Tencent Holdings Ltd, a notable investment, was Hillhouse's earliest investment, which they made in 2005 with an initial $20 million.
Hillhouse invested in Blue Moon, a liquid detergent maker, in 2010 as its only outside institutional investor.
In 2017, Hillhouse purchased footwear company Belle International for $6.8 billion.
Hillhouse, together with Hopu Investment Management, purchased Singapore-based warehouse operator Global Logistic Properties in 2017 for $12 billion, making it the largest buyout of an Asian company.
In 2018, Hillhouse began investing in the food sector, including organic baby food and snack manufacturer Little Freddie.
Hillhouse signed a strategic investment agreement with Japanese-style retailer Miniso worth RMB 1 billion ($145.6 million) in October 2018.
Hillhouse acquired Gimborn, a German producer of cat litter and pet supplements, for an undisclosed sum in 2016.
Hillhouse co-led a round of financing for biotechnology company BeiGene in May 2015.
In April 2017, a consortium consisting of Hillhouse and other investors submitted a proposal to privatize Belle International, a retailer business in China, through a Scheme of Arrangement.
Joint Ventures
Hillhouse Investment has a strong track record of investing in joint ventures, with a focus on partnering with companies that have a strong growth potential.
One notable example is their investment in ByteDance, a Chinese technology company that operates the popular social media app TikTok. They invested $3 billion in the company in 2016.
Their joint venture strategy allows them to tap into emerging markets and technologies, providing access to new customers and revenue streams.
For instance, their investment in ByteDance helped the company expand its reach in the global market, particularly in the United States.
Investors and Team
Hillhouse Investment has a strong team behind it.
Hillhouse's investment team has a deep understanding of the Chinese market, with many members having spent years studying and working in the country.
The team's expertise in the Chinese market has been instrumental in identifying and investing in successful companies.
Led by co-founders Qi Wang and Bo Yu, the team has a proven track record of making smart investment decisions.
Portfolio
Hillhouse Investment has made 426 investments across two funds. They've made some really smart deals, like investing in Hystar, Capcon, and GenScript ProBio.
Some of their earliest and most profitable investments include Tencent Holdings Ltd, where they provided an original $20 million in 2005. This was Hillhouse's earliest investment and one of their most profitable.
Hillhouse was also an early investor in JD.com, which was valued at $26 billion at the time of its listing on NASDAQ in May 2014. Their original $255 million investment was valued at $3.9 billion at the time of the IPO.
They've invested in a variety of industries, including consumer goods, with investments like Blue Moon, a liquid detergent maker.
Notable Investors
Hillhouse has attracted significant investments from top universities in the US. Stanford University, for instance, pledged to invest about US$200 million with Hillhouse in August 2015.
Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas, and Yale University are also among the notable university investors in Hillhouse.
CPPIB, a prominent investor, committed substantial funds to Hillhouse funds over the years. They invested US$200 million in Fund II in 2014, US$300 million in Fund III in 2016, and US$300 million in Fund IV in 2018.
Here's a list of some of the notable university investors in Hillhouse:
- Stanford University
- Princeton University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Texas
- Yale University
Interview Process
The interview process at Hillhouse Investment is a multi-step affair. You can expect 4-6 rounds of interviews in total.
The initial interviews are typically supervised by junior professionals, while later rounds are handled by more senior folks. This ensures that you get a chance to interact with a range of people at the firm.
The entire process can take multiple weeks to complete, unless it's an on-campus or on-cycle recruiting event. In that case, the timeline might be shorter.
Here's a breakdown of what you can expect during the interview process:
* Interview rounds: 4-6Initial interviews are supervised by junior professionals, while later rounds are handled by more senior folksUnless it’s on-campus or on-cycle recruiting, expect that the entire process will last for multiple weeks
Salary & Compensation
Analysts at Hillhouse Investment can expect an estimated total pay of $155,061 per year.
These figures may vary depending on many factors such as location, experience, and so on.
Associates at Hillhouse Investment have a total pay of $134,035 per year.
In this case, the total pay for analysts is about $21,000 more than that of associates.
Company Size
Hillhouse investment has 201 - 500 employees.
Industry and Expertise
Hillhouse Investment is a leading global investment firm known for its expertise in private equity and venture capital.
They have a strong focus on technology and healthcare sectors, with a significant presence in the US and China markets.
Their investment team is led by Robert Hsu, a seasoned investor with a track record of successful investments in the technology and healthcare industries.
Performance
Hillhouse's impressive performance is a key factor in its rapid growth. The firm's investing track record has delivered up to 52% annualized returns from inception until 2012.
This exceptional performance continued even as the firm scaled, demonstrating its ability to maintain strong results over time.
Growth Stage Expertise
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Recruiting for growth equity and VC requires a deep understanding of the industry, and I've developed a keen eye for spotting top talent in this space.
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What Is Industry?
Hillhouse investment operates in the Investment management industry.
Investment management is a broad field that involves managing money or assets on behalf of clients.
Hillhouse investment's revenue is 101m - 500m.
What Are Specialties?
When investing in various asset classes, it's essential to understand the specialties of a firm to maximize returns. Hillhouse Investment's expertise lies in hedge funds.
They also have a strong presence in private equity. Venture capital is another area where they have demonstrated their capabilities. Real assets and private credit round out their specialties.
Case Study
At Hillhouse Investment, case studies are a crucial part of the evaluation process for investment firms. They assess a candidate's communication skills and technical knowledge.
To evaluate these traits, firms like Hillhouse Investment ask candidates to perform case studies. Most case studies involve financial modeling and investment recommendations.
Firms may also ask candidates to conduct a cold calling case study, typically for junior roles.
General Information
Hillhouse Investment is a global investment firm that was founded in 2005 by Zhang Lei.
The firm is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
Hillhouse Investment focuses on investing in high-growth companies across various stages of development.
Hillhouse Investment has a strong presence in the technology sector, with investments in companies like Tencent, Alibaba, and Meituan.
The firm's investment strategy is centered around identifying and backing talented entrepreneurs and management teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hillhouse Investment real?
Yes, Hillhouse Investment is a real global investment firm with a diverse portfolio of companies worldwide. Learn more about their mission and global presence.
What is Hillhouse investment philosophy?
Hillhouse invests for the long term, using rigorous research to uncover emerging trends and anticipate future needs. Our patient and expert approach helps us identify true potential in our investments.
Is Hillhouse Capital a VC or PE?
Hillhouse Capital is a private equity (PE) firm, not a venture capital (VC) firm, as it invests for the long term across various sectors. It manages capital on behalf of global institutions, focusing on long-term growth.
How big is Hillhouse Capital Fund?
As of July 2021, Hillhouse Capital Fund's assets under management (AUM) were approximately $73.3 billion. The fund's fifth flagship private equity fund raised a record-breaking $18 billion in October 2021.
Where is Hillhouse Investment Management located?
Hillhouse Investment Management is located in Hong Kong, specifically at Suite 1608, One Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place.
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