Mike Guo
Partner, Asia
Q&A
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Why did you join SBIA?
I grew up watching the evolution of tech companies from focusing on PC applications, the internet, and finally the mobile internet. While I was studying and working abroad, I’d go back to China every year and be amazed by how quickly things had evolved while I was away. I remember one year I went back and still carried cash in my wallet. As it turned out, I didn’t touch it the entire trip—everything had become cashless.
Experiencing this firsthand was exciting and I wanted to be a part of it. When SBIA opened its China office in 2019, it had a bold vision and was operating on a massive scale. I thought it would be a perfect place to be a part of this digital revolution.
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What sets SBIA apart from other VC firms?
The SoftBank ecosystem is expansive—SoftBank is not just the Vision Fund. We have a vast collection of subsidiaries and portfolio companies, both in China and globally. There is significant synergy potential within the ecosystem, and that is an asset for our portfolio companies because they have built-in access to these major players.
I’m drawn to highly technical sectors because there’s always more to learn and the founders are eager to share their knowledge.
02 —
How has your background helped shape your perspective on the work you do today?
I studied computer science in college, which has given me a deeper understanding of the technologies we invest in. I’m drawn to sectors like artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, blockchain, and semiconductors as there’s a huge amount of innovation in these areas. New technologies, which underpin most of these applications, are being developed every day. These sectors tend to be highly technical, so my background has proven to be an asset for evaluating these investments.
02 —
What gets you excited about the sectors you’re focused on?
One of the most exciting aspects of working in the generative AI sector is the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape. Each day brings forth advancements that were once deemed to be the distant future, and the speed at which these models are developing is unprecedented, challenging the ways we think about creativity, problem-solving, and interaction.
02 —
Is there a certain value that guides your work?
Humility is particularly important to me. When talking with founders, I tend to ask many questions, even if some are quite basic. I want to be honest about what I know and don’t know in order to understand their business and technology.
