Driving Innovation and Transformative Change
I am a results-driven business leader with extensive experience in technology-driven industries and a passion for deep tech innovations that have the potential to transform humanity for the better. My career has been defined by a commitment to pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and driving transformative change. With a unique blend of creativity, resilience, and strategic vision, I excel at leading organizations through innovation, embracing change, and delivering impactful outcomes in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
Michael Fong
Founder & CEO | Investor | Venture Capitalist | Executive Advisor
(852) 6112 5162
Email:
m@michaelfong.com
Address:
Central, Hong Kong
Phone:
ABOUT ME
I am a visionary leader with extensive experience driving innovation, scaling businesses, and leading global teams in technology-driven industries. Passionate about advancements in AI, deep tech, and frontier technologies, I focus on creating transformative solutions that improve lives and shape the future.
As an early investor in private companies like Starlink, OpenAI, and Figure AI, and a long-time investor in public companies such as Apple, Amazon and NVIDIA, I have consistently supported trailblazing innovations that redefine industries. I’ve led large-scale operations exceeding $500M in annual revenue, developed transformative strategies, and mentored startups to navigate emerging technologies and future trends.
Also a successful founder, I have firsthand experience in the startup world, having built and scaled a biotech company from conception to a successful acquisition. I managed every stage of the entrepreneurial journey—from crafting a vision and assembling high-performing teams to overcoming challenges, driving growth, and achieving a successful exit. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and what it takes to build and scale businesses in highly dynamic environments.
With a focus on technology and innovation, I combine strategic vision with hands-on execution to drive meaningful change and foster groundbreaking solutions. Guided by an insatiable curiosity for emerging trends, I strive to shape a future where innovation aligns with human progress and drives better outcomes for individuals and society as a whole.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2024-Present
Venture Partner
(Hong Kong)
VU Venture Partners
A global multi-stage deep-tech investment fund investing across Consumer, Enterprise, Fintech, Frontier, Healthcare, PropTech, and AgTech sectors.
Key Responsibilities:
Deal Sourcing & Evaluation: Source and evaluate high-quality investment opportunities across Consumer, Enterprise, Fintech, Frontier, Healthcare, PropTech, and AgTech sectors, leveraging proprietary deal flow and strategic networks.
Investment Thesis Development: Develop sector-specific investment theses, analyze pitch decks, and conduct one-on-one diligence meetings with founders, accelerators, and co-investors. Present leading investment opportunities at weekly Partner Meetings, advancing select deals to the GP Investment Committee.
Due Diligence Leadership: Lead comprehensive due diligence processes, including market sizing analysis, founder-market fit evaluation, go-to-market strategy assessment, business model viability, key metrics and capital efficiency analysis, financial modeling, competitive dynamics review, customer and investor referencing, cap table structuring, and term sheet negotiations.
Network Expansion & Relationship Management: Continuously expand and nurture a high-value network of venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) relationships, leveraging accelerator partnerships, founder relationships, and institutional investor ecosystems to optimize proprietary deal flow and strategic co-investment opportunities. Manage and deepen relationships with founders, investors, and family offices, directly supporting capital formation initiatives and fund strategy.
Collaboration & Track Record: Collaborate closely with top-tier General Partners, who collectively possess 45+ years of VC experience, have deployed $1.8B+ across 250+ companies, generated 4x+ net cash returns, and backed category-defining companies including Beyond Meat, Facebook, Uber, Twitter, Venmo, Pinterest, Grailed, Massive, and Concur.
2023-Present
Nanyang Biologics
Executive Advisor
(Singapore)
NYB is a cutting-edge biotechnology company leveraging AI to revolutionize drug discovery and development. At its core, NYB integrates an advanced machine learning platform and a proprietary Graph Neural Network (GNN) model, powered by a robust data generation engine, to accelerate biological discovery and therapeutic innovation. Backed by a world-class team with deep expertise in therapeutics development, NYB is positioned at the intersection of technology and life sciences.
As an Executive Advisor, I collaborate closely with senior leadership to shape and refine our AI-driven drug discovery strategy. Drawing on my extensive experience in business strategy, technology, operational scaling, and fundraising, I provide actionable insights that enhance innovation, drive organizational efficiency, and align our initiatives with long-term objectives. I play a key role in fundraising efforts by developing compelling narratives, engaging with investors, and positioning NYB as a leader in AI-powered biotechnology.
Additionally, I mentor leadership teams to navigate complex challenges, foster strategic partnerships that expand our capabilities, and ensure alignment across key stakeholders. By leveraging my expertise, I aim to contribute to the development of transformative therapies that improve patient outcomes and advance the future of medicine.
2018-Present
Founder & Investor
(Hong Kong)
Paragon Link
Founded and manage the company as an investment vehicle, focusing on early-stage startup investments. Act as an angel investor in startups across various industries, providing capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance. Build strong relationships within the venture capital and startup ecosystem, engaging with founders, investors, and accelerators to identify promising opportunities.
Personally founded and operated a Biotech startup under Paragon Link, successfully scaling the business before it was later acquired.
2002-2018
(16 Years)
Blizzard Entertainment
2012 - 2018
Managing Director & Regional VP, Asia
(Hong Kong)
2008 - 2012
Managing Director - Southeast Asia / Senior Director - Global Market Development
(Hong Kong)
2002 - 2008
Managing Director - Greater China / Southeast Asia
(Hong Kong)
Held various leadership positions during my tenure with the company.
Leading strategic growth and operations across Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership: Drove strategic initiatives resulting in significant market expansion, revenue growth, and sustainable value creation across Asian markets.
Financial & Operational Management: Managed full regional P&L, optimizing resource allocation and operational processes to consistently exceed financial targets and efficiency benchmarks.
Market Expansion & Business Development: Successfully identified and executed key investment and growth opportunities, expanding market presence and competitive advantage in multiple Asian regions.
Team Leadership & Culture Building: Developed and inspired high-performing regional teams aligned with global organizational culture, significantly improving employee engagement and retention.
Business Execution & Strategy Implementation: Defined and implemented actionable strategies, delivering measurable increases in market share, profitability, and brand positioning.
Process Optimization & Efficiency: Streamlined processes and workflows, increasing operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall quality of service delivery.
Negotiation & Strategic Partnerships: Negotiated key contracts and strategic partnerships, driving substantial business growth and enhancing competitive leverage across Asia.
Effectively shaping and elevating the organization's presence and success in the Asia-Pacific region through strategic vision, operational excellence, and impactful leadership.
1994-2002
(8 Years)
1997 - 2002
Director of Strategic Initiatives
(Hong Kong)
Core Financial Networks
Played a pivotal role in aligning investment strategies with the family office's financial objectives, driving growth, innovation, and strategic execution across the investment portfolio.
Key Responsibilities:
Investment Opportunity Identification: Conducted comprehensive market research, industry trend analysis, and data analytics to source and evaluate high-potential startups and emerging sectors aligned with family investment objectives.
Portfolio Company Management: Provided strategic oversight and operational guidance to portfolio startups, ensuring effective execution, sustainable growth, and alignment with the family's strategic vision.
Strategic Project Management: Led initiatives from inception through execution, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring timely, within-budget delivery of strategic projects.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Closely collaborated with the Vice Chairman and key stakeholders to develop and implement investment strategies, significantly enhancing portfolio value and alignment with family priorities.
Fundraising & Investor Relations: Successfully engaged investors, strategic partners, and external stakeholders to secure funding for selected startups and projects, ensuring alignment with the family's investment philosophy.
1994 - 1997
Business Analyst / Senior Project Manager
(Hong Kong)
EDUCATION
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Executive Program: Artificial Intelligence
This program empowers senior leaders with the strategic foresight, technical foundation and advanced knowledge to spearhead AI-driven transformation, positioning their organizations at the forefront of an increasingly AI-powered economy. Participants master the ability to identify and evaluate high-impact AI opportunities, assess scalability and ROI, and seamlessly integrate AI initiatives into broader organizational strategies. By delving into cutting-edge trends, risk management strategies, and ethical considerations, executives gain the confidence to make bold, informed decisions that drive innovation, unlock long-term value, and establish a sustainable competitive edge in the digital era.
Columbia Business School
Executive Program: Corporate Governance
The program prepares corporate leaders to tackle modern challenges, from regulatory disruptions to technological shifts. It equips current and aspiring board members and senior executives with the knowledge and tools to fulfill their roles effectively, align with organizational goals, and drive high-performance governance. Participants gain insights and frameworks to enhance their boardroom impact and organizational value.
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Executive Program: Strategic Thinking and Planning for Leaders
Singularity University
Executive Program: Exponential Technologies Shaping the Future
An on-campus full-time intensive Executive Program that examines how key converging technologies will shape our future and explores ethical leadership in a world of rapid change. For senior leaders in business who want to have a positive impact at scale, and who want to create their organization’s future—and the world’s future—not simply react to it.
Venture University
Executive Program: Venture Capital Investor Accelerator Program
A full-time 11 week live Executive Program which includes VC Masterclasses, Advanced VC Modules, Fireside Chats and a Venture Capital Investment Apprenticeship (Deal Sourcing, Due Diligence, Investment Evaluation, Weekly Partner Meetings, Mgmt. Meetings, Vertical Team Meetings, Investment Committee Meetings, and Making 3-7 Investments per Quarter).
NYU Stern School of Business
Advanced Level Graduate Coursework in Global Finance
Courses: Applied Corporate Finance, Derivatives, Fixed Income Instruments, Asset Allocation, Global and Asian Markets
Leicester Business School
Master's of Business Administration
Strathclyde Business School
Master's of Science, International Marketing
Cape Breton University
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
The Council for Six Sigma Certification
Lean Six Sigma - Black Belt
Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that combines waste reduction (Lean) with quality improvement (Six Sigma) to optimize processes and drive efficiency. Using data-driven tools like DMAIC, it helps organizations reduce costs, eliminate defects, and enhance customer satisfaction. It fosters continuous improvement and aligns processes with strategic goals.
SKILLS
Strategic Planning
Business Development & Growth
Fundraising & Capital Management
Problem-Solving & Crisis Management
Leadership Development & Team Building
Negotiation & Deal-Making
Operational Optimization
Market Analysis
EXPERTISE
Strategic Leadership
Proven ability to lead organizations, align teams, and deliver sustainable growth across industries.
Entrepreneurship
Founding, managing, and exiting startups with hands-on experience in building businesses from the ground up.
Venture Capital & Investment
Experience in funding, evaluating, and managing investments in high-growth startups.
Global Market Expertise
Navigating complex international markets and driving growth in competitive global environments.
Business Scaling
Successfully scaling companies, from startups to large-scale operations with significant revenues.
Technology & Innovation
Leveraging emerging technologies like AI, deep tech, and frontier tech to create impactful solutions.
Deep Tech & Biotech
Leadership in deep tech innovation and biotechnology, staying at the forefront of industry trends.
Corporate Strategy
Crafting and executing vision-driven strategies to achieve long-term success and value creation.