Kenneth Lu

I’ve always been passionate about the technology sector, and that interest has shaped my career, first as an investor with Baidu, right after earning my MBA, and later in my work with Temasek. Those experiences allowed me to get firsthand experience with everything from the operations of a massive, established tech corporation to the due diligence required when evaluating start-ups. Then one of my former classmates from business school called me out of the blue and asked if I’d join her team here. It was a chance to make a much bigger impact, and I didn’t hesitate.

Technology changes the way people live. For example, when I moved to Beijing in 2013, it was tough to get a cab. During the winter, when it snowed, people would sometimes wait outside for 40 minutes for a cab. Within two years, a ride-sharing company had solved the problem. It was possible because the mobile market in China was booming, with smartphone penetration growing from basically zero to more than 50% within about five years. That's just one example of how technology can positively affect people’s lives, and that kind of impact is very exciting to me.

I look for three things. First, their passion: I look for founders trying to address a problem that they understand personally and that they're passionate about solving. The second is the ability to build an aligned team. When I’m meeting with members of senior management, it’s encouraging when they echo what the CEO is saying. That alignment usually increases the odds of success. The third is a long-term mindset. We like to back founders who are building a robust business, are able to stick with it for the long term, and can create lasting value and return for the shareholders.

I have lived all over the world. I was born in Taiwan, but in my youth I lived in Germany as well as Singapore. I went to college in the U.S., and my career brought me to China. Traveling the world has added to my perspective and my ability to work with different people. Growing up, I didn't enjoy moving all the time, but looking back, the experience enriched my life and added a new outlook, personally and professionally.

Never stop learning. It’s easy to lose that mindset as you get more experienced, but what I’ve found is that if you adopt a growth mindset, you’re consistently growing and improving. There are always new people and new concepts that can inspire new learning. I also think it’s critical to stay humble. Never become complacent about who you are or what you have achieved. Finally, it’s essential to be a good team player. No matter how brilliant you are, or how hard you work, you can always achieve so much more by gaining people’s trust and working together.