I vividly recall my earlier years at Stanford: late nights debating with peers, balancing academic rigor and student life, and my excitement at the possibilities of how ideas can evolve into tangible solutions. That intersection where brilliant ideas are stress tested to address real-world issues instilled in me the conviction that bridging academia and the industry is the key to advancing innovation, and that belief has guided my personal journey as a venture investor. 

Over the years investing in startups, I’ve seen how a well-placed spark—be it fresh research findings or an earnest pitch—can be nurtured into a light that truly illuminates the way for communities that need help. I’ve also observed a recurring gap between theoretical ideas and tangible applications. No matter how promising a lab discovery is, it stays locked in academia unless bold, determined individuals can translate it into real-world solutions. Hence, with every startup team I invest in, I ask: Can they build that bridge effectively? 

It is a simple question. Yet if the answer can be found, and if we can translate the answer into thoughtful backing of smart, ambitious people, we can uncover new approaches to advance technology, foster collaboration, and produce meaningful change in our world. 

Bridging Breakthrough Ideas With Technology  
With the spotlight now focused on artificial intelligence, many startups are hoping to drive developing breakthroughs in AI agents. What fascinates me about their growth journeys is the shift from scientific curiosity to user-centered development, as algorithms create impact only if they solve real, pressing needs and can become deployable at scale. 

Startups that have taken off like Baidu, one of my earliest investments, exemplify the transition. Initially an ambitious search algorithm project, Baidu became a household name by refining its AI-powered search engine to suit the specific demands of the Chinese internet landscape.  

Local Insights, Global Ambitions 
I also look for startups who founders understand local markets intimately. Across various economies, knowledge of cultural nuances or regulatory frameworks can be the difference between success and stagnation. Yet startup must also have a global mindset in terms of best practices and potential partnerships. My own journey from Tsinghua to Stanford and then to uncovering and investing in China’s startup ecosystem has taught me that synergy arises when we connect diverse perspectives. 

Amplifying The Foundation Of Student Innovation 
As places where people gather to foster curiosity alongside collaboration, I have found that academic environments, such as university incubation labs, innovation clubs, and mentorship circles, often unleash an unparalleled flow of pioneering ideas. And when there are platforms such as the upcoming Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) where students are empowered to put their raw insights to the test and engage in friendly, positive competition and learning, the momentum to innovate is amplified further. And as an investor, I believe in encouraging the iterative drive of students, supporting opportunities like  LKYGBPC where young talent can be trusted with the runway to keep testing until they strike gold or decide to pivot entirely.  

Students are remarkably quick to adjust. Without the baggage of “industry tradition,” they can pivot or iterate the moment they spot a flaw in their approach.  This mindset often manifests in rapid prototyping. If a concept doesn’t quite click, a new version emerges next week. They hustle for user feedback and keep reconfiguring until they find the sweet spot.  

The adaptability will be exemplified during LKYGBPC, where mentors, judges, and potential investors will offer concrete guidance to student teams, encouraging them to refine revenue models or sharpen product features to bridge their ideas to real-world impact. 

These opportunities also foster more cross-border alliances. During LKYGBPC, we can have a data-analytics team from Stanford link up with an industrial-design group from Singapore, forging collaborations that would have been more difficult to create within traditional corporate structures. That open exchange is integral to building solutions that create change. 

Linking Academia and Industry: A Personal Commitment 
At Stanford, I experienced firsthand how crucial it is to have platforms that help scholars collaborate with industry experts. I’ve since extended this philosophy to my investment style—searching for ways to ensure that bright ideas, whether in AI, cybersecurity, or advanced manufacturing, don’t languish on someone’s hard drive but reach people who need them. 

I champion the expansion of incubators and early-stage programs that bridge the gap between universities and venture capital. These initiatives act as critical “translation layers”, transforming theoretical research into scalable innovations. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, they accelerate the journey from breakthrough idea to market adoption, ensuring that promising concepts don’t remain confined to the lab but evolve into impactful ventures. 

As I see it, an investor isn’t just a check-writer. We’re partners in fostering something bigger, a robust entrepreneurial community that can recycle experience, attract fresh talent, and scale best practices across countries. 

A Shared Future 
To me, that’s what truly matters. By backing innovative student ventures, I’m not just investing in short-term market potential; I’m investing in tomorrow’s entire ecosystem, where knowledge flows more freely, bold thinking is rewarded, and we allow our brilliant young minds to affect positive change for the future. 

I was particularly impressed when I met Lenard from Ailytics—one of the four startup founders who received the 2023 Zhang Fan Global AI Initiative Award. Learning more about him only reinforced my belief that he exemplifies the kind of founder I want to support and nurture: not just a talker, but a genuinely action-oriented leader who ensures technology delivers real, on-the-ground impact. Through relentless execution, he has guided Ailytics from a promising concept to a market-ready solution with measurable value—an inspiring testament to how focused commitment, a solid team, and authentic innovation can drive meaningful growth. 

I look forward to meeting many more such talented founders at LKYGBPC, excited to see them transform fresh ideas into world-changing ventures. And in doing so, they will inspire all of us to believe in the promise of innovation—and the power of courage and collaboration to shape our shared tomorrow.

>> Apply to the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) here by 30 Apr 2025