ZhenFund Fund Investment Strategies and Portfolio Exits

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ZhenFund's investment strategies are highly selective, with a focus on backing entrepreneurs who have a deep understanding of their market and a clear vision for growth.

The fund invests in startups at the seed stage, providing critical funding and guidance to help companies scale.

ZhenFund's portfolio exits are often highly successful, with many companies achieving unicorn status.

Additional reading: Asset Management Firm Meaning

Investments and Portfolio

ZhenFund has made 801 investments, with their latest investment being in Liuxing Technology as part of their Seed VC on April 29, 2024. They have a significant presence in the startup ecosystem.

ZhenFund has invested in various stages of a company's growth, with the majority being in the Seed stage, accounting for 199 investments. They also invest in Series A, Angel, Series B, and Other stages, with a total of 109, 38, 35, and 6 investments, respectively.

Their portfolio includes companies like Guilded, which they first invested in during their Seed round in 2017, and received $3.2M in funding.

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Investments

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Zhen Fund has made a total of 801 investments, with their latest investment being in Liuxing Technology as part of their Seed VC on April 29, 2024.

They have invested in a variety of companies across different stages, with the majority of their investments being in the Seed stage, accounting for 199 investments.

One notable investment is in Guilded, a company they first invested in on September 8, 2017, with a Seed round of $3.2 million. They later acquired Guilded on August 16, 2021.

Here are some specific details about Zhen Fund's investments:

Zhen Fund's investments have ranged from $3,500,000 to $50,000,000, with the majority of their investments being in the Seed and Series A rounds.

Portfolio Exits

ZhenFund has a impressive track record of 46 portfolio exits. Their latest exit was Horizon Robotics, which went public on October 24, 2024.

Horizon Robotics' valuation at the time of its IPO was a staggering $XXM. This is a testament to the trust investors have in ZhenFund's investment decisions.

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ZhenFund's portfolio exits have been diverse, with some companies going public and others being acquired. For instance, XCharge and XtalPi both went public in 2024.

Here's a breakdown of some of ZhenFund's notable portfolio exits:

These exits demonstrate ZhenFund's ability to identify and nurture successful companies, ultimately leading to significant returns on investment.

Fund Investment

ZhenFund has made 801 investments, with their latest investment being in Liuxing Technology as part of their Seed VC on April 29, 2024.

ZhenFund's investment stage of choice is seed, with 199 investments in this stage. They also invest in Series A, with 109 investments, and other stages, including Angel, Series B, and Series C.

Here's a breakdown of ZhenFund's investment stages:

Fund Investment Sectors

The data suggests that ZhenFund has invested in various sectors, including cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

One notable investment is in ThunderCore, a blockchain platform that has received multiple rounds of funding from ZhenFund.

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ZhenFund has also invested in other companies, such as IOST, a blockchain-based platform, and iPeakoin, a cryptocurrency company.

In addition to these investments, ZhenFund has also participated in seed and series A rounds for companies like HashFish, a cryptocurrency exchange, and Aspecta, a blockchain-based platform.

Here are some of the notable investments made by ZhenFund in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector:

ZhenFund's investments in these companies demonstrate its focus on the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector, which is expected to continue growing in the future.

Fund Investment Countries

Investing in funds is a popular way to grow your money, and one of the most important decisions you'll make is where to invest. Some countries have more favorable tax laws for investors, making them attractive destinations for fund investments.

The Cayman Islands, for example, is a well-known hub for hedge funds, with over 10,000 funds registered there. This is due in part to its favorable tax regime, which doesn't charge taxes on income or capital gains.

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Bermuda is another popular destination for fund investments, with a well-established regulatory framework that attracts many investors. The island nation has a highly developed financial infrastructure, making it an ideal location for fund managers.

Singapore is a rising star in the world of fund investments, with a growing number of private equity and venture capital funds setting up shop there. Its business-friendly environment and highly skilled workforce make it an attractive location for fund managers.

Hong Kong is also a popular destination for fund investments, with a highly developed financial infrastructure and a favorable tax regime. The city's proximity to China and its status as a major financial hub make it an attractive location for investors looking to tap into the growing Chinese market.

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Company Stage Fund Investment

Zhen Fund invests across various stages of company development. The majority of their investments are in the seed stage, with 199 investments in this category.

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They also invest in Series A, with 109 investments, and other stages, including angel, Series B, and Series C. However, their Series C investments are relatively rare, with only 6 investments in this category.

Zhen Fund's investments in seed stage companies are substantial, with a total of 199 investments. This suggests that they focus on early-stage companies with high growth potential.

Here's a breakdown of Zhen Fund's investments by stage:

This information can be useful for investors looking to understand Zhen Fund's investment strategy and focus areas.

About

ZhenFund was founded in 2011 by Bob Xu and Victor Wang, who previously co-founded New Oriental, one of the largest education conglomerates in China.

The duo initially set up ZhenFund as a personal investment vehicle in 2007, before expanding it into a firm in collaboration with Sequoia Capital China.

ZhenFund invests in various industry fields, including the internet, technology, artificial intelligence, corporate services, healthcare, and education.

The firm has a strong track record, with 16 funds under its management, including the Zhen Fund COIX.

Co-Investors of Fund

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Co-investors of Fund play a significant role in the success of a fund's portfolio companies. Over the past 18 years, 1206 investors have co-invested in Zhen Fund's portfolio companies.

Many of these co-investors have invested in rounds before Zhen Fund. In fact, 119 other funds and angels have invested in companies before Zhen Fund, with Matrix Partners China investing in 6 companies before Zhen Fund and Sinovation Ventures investing in 4 companies before Zhen Fund.

Co-investors can be a great source of knowledge and expertise. 411 investors have entered a company along with Zhen Fund, including Sequoia Capital, which has co-invested in 20 companies.

Investors who co-invest with Zhen Fund after their initial investment can also be beneficial. A total of 674 investors have invested in Zhen Fund's portfolio after their initial investment, with Sequoia Capital co-investing in 18 companies, Tencent co-investing in 12 companies, and Sequoia Capital China co-investing in 12 companies.

Here's a breakdown of the top co-investors of Zhen Fund, including the number of companies they've co-invested in:

Public Companies

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ZhenFund has invested in several public companies, showcasing the firm's ability to identify and support successful ventures.

One notable example is XtalPi, which went public on June 13, 2024, after receiving a $15 million Series B investment from ZhenFund in January 2018.

The firm's portfolio also includes Hesai Technology, which went public on February 9, 2023, although the exact date of ZhenFund's investment is not specified.

Here's a list of public companies in ZhenFund's portfolio, along with their IPO dates and other relevant information:

ZhenFund's investments in public companies demonstrate the firm's commitment to supporting innovative businesses.

Portfolio

ZhenFund has a diverse portfolio of companies across various industries. Their investment strategy includes acquiring companies, with Coinify and Linkflow being two examples of acquired companies in their portfolio.

ZhenFund has invested in companies such as Guilded, which received a $3.2M seed round in 2017. Koala Reading is another company in their portfolio, but the date of their first investment is unknown.

Here's a list of some of the companies in ZhenFund's portfolio, including IPOs and public companies:

46 Portfolio Exits

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ZhenFund has been quite active in terms of portfolio exits, with a total of 46 such exits.

Their latest exit was Horizon Robotics, which went public on October 24, 2024.

Horizon Robotics' valuation at the time of its IPO was $XXM.

XCharge and XtalPi also went public around the same time, on September 10, 2024, and June 13, 2024, respectively.

Both XCharge and XtalPi had valuations of $XXM at the time of their IPOs.

Companies in Fund's Portfolio

Let's take a look at the companies in Zhen Fund's portfolio. They have invested in a variety of companies over the years, including Coinify, which was acquired on August 16, 2022.

One of the earliest investments listed is Guilded, a company that was first invested in back in 2017 with a seed round of $3.2 million. The acquisition date for Guilded is listed as August 16, 2021.

Zhen Fund has also invested in public companies, such as XtalPi, which went public on June 13, 2024, with a series B round of $15 million. IntelliFusion is another public company in the fund's portfolio, which went public on April 7, 2023.

Here's a list of some of the companies in Zhen Fund's portfolio:

It's worth noting that some of the companies in the fund's portfolio have received undisclosed round sizes, such as X-Charge and IntelliFusion.

Partners & Customers

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ZhenFund has a strong network of partners and customers.

One of its strategic partners is Rocktree Capital, a company based in the United States. They partnered with ZhenFund on November 26, 2019.

ZhenFund also has another strategic partner, a group consisting of Ontology, MPC, Danhua Capital, and HongShan. This partnership was established on April 5, 2018.

These partners are based in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and the United States.

Here's a list of ZhenFund's partners and customers:

News and Updates

ZhenFund has been actively supporting early-stage startups, and its CEO Anna Fang has spoken about the firm's success in navigating China's tightened IPO rules. By opting for more offshore IPOs, ZhenFund has recorded its highest number of IPOs this year, including listings in Hong Kong, the U.S., and mainland China.

ZhenFund has invested in several notable startups, including iPeakoin, which raised $10 million in a Series A round from ZhenFund in November 2023. Another notable investment is ThunderCore, which raised $50 million in a Series A round from ZhenFund and other investors in February 2019.

For more insights, see: Venture Capitalists for Startups

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Here are some of the notable investments made by ZhenFund:

  • iPeakoin: Raised $10.00M in Series A from ZhenFund (Nov 28, 2023)
  • ThunderCore: Raised $50.00M in Series A from Huobi Capital, FBG Capital, Hashed, and ZhenFund (Feb 27, 2019)
  • HashFish: Raised $12.00M in Seed from Shunwei Capital, ZhenFund, Ping An, and Ceyuan Ventures (Jul 27, 2018)
  • TrustToken: Raised $20.00M in Token Round from James Sowers, Andreessen Horowitz, and ZhenFund (Jun 18, 2018)
  • Republic: Raised $12.00M in Venture Round from Jeffrey Tarrant, Binance Labs, and ZhenFund (Jun 08, 2018)
  • IOST: Raised $40.00M in Token Round from INBlockchain, Matrix Partners China, and ZhenFund (Jan 15, 2018)

Latest News

China's economic stimulus package is having a positive impact on the stock market, with the Shanghai Composite Index rising 4.15%, its largest increase in over four years.

The stimulus package includes lower mortgage rates and a policy rate cut, aimed at boosting an economy weakened by a property slump and low consumer confidence.

ZhenFund, a venture capital firm, is seeing a record number of IPOs in Hong Kong, the U.S., and mainland China, as a result of the stimulus package.

Anna Fang, ZhenFund's CEO, believes that the public markets will have a nice comeback, which will finally let middle and late-stage investors start investing again.

Fang's firm has been successful in navigating China's tightened IPO rules by opting for more offshore IPOs, highlighting the growing popularity of offshore listings.

Despite perceived drops in startup numbers, there is a rise in new enterprises, particularly driven by the artificial intelligence sector.

Activity Timeline

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In the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, it's essential to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. One way to do this is by tracking the activity timeline of various projects.

iPeakoin raised $10.00M in a Series A funding round from ZhenFund on November 28, 2023.

Aspecta secured $3.50M in Seed funding from a group of investors including SNZ Holding, Infinity Ventures Crypto, and ZhenFund on March 22, 2023.

ThunderCore has had multiple funding rounds. In 2019, they raised $50.00M in a Series A funding round from Huobi Capital and other investors. This was a significant milestone for the project.

HashFish raised $12.00M in Seed funding from Shunwei Capital and other investors on July 27, 2018.

TrustToken raised $20.00M in a Token Round from a group of investors including Andreessen Horowitz and ZhenFund on June 18, 2018.

Republic secured $12.00M in a Venture Round from a group of investors including Binance Labs and ZhenFund on June 08, 2018.

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Here are the details of ThunderCore's funding rounds:

IOST raised $40.00M in a Token Round from a group of investors including INBlockchain and ZhenFund on January 15, 2018.

Comparisons

Cyanhill Capital, a first-tier early-stage investment firm in the Chinese consumer sector, has a high investment success rate since its inception in 2015.

AngelVest, an international investment group, was founded in 2009 and offers investment opportunities and guidance to early-stage businesses with an Asia focus.

Cyanhill Capital's portfolio includes companies like ZHAOLIANGJI, pidan, and REFLOWER, which have likely benefited from the firm's expertise in the Chinese consumer sector.

AngelVest primarily serves the startup ecosystem, providing both funding and mentorship to help businesses grow, with a network of over 70 accredited angel investors with diverse industry expertise.

AngelVest's focus on providing capital and mentorship to early-stage businesses is similar to ZhenFund's approach, but with a more international scope.

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Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

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