Michael Fong
Global C-Suite Executive & Advisor | Deep Tech · Biotech · Gaming
Email:
Address:
Central, Hong Kong
25 Years Building What's Next
From launching Blizzard Entertainment across Asia to founding and exiting a deep-tech startup, to investing early in OpenAI, SpaceX and Neuralink — my career has been defined by backing transformative technologies before they were obvious.
I bring C-suite operator experience, a venture investor's eye, and a neuroscientist's understanding of human behaviour to every challenge I take on.
Currently focused on Deep Tech, Biotech and Gaming — as an executive, advisor, or investor.
ABOUT ME
I am a global C-Suite executive, strategic advisor, and investor with 25+ years building and scaling technology companies across Asia and globally.
As an operator, I spent 16 years at Blizzard Entertainment growing Asia operations into a multi-hundred-million-dollar enterprise — from founding Managing Director in Greater China to Regional VP across 8 markets.
As an advisor, I work with deep-tech, biotech, and gaming ventures through PivotCXO, helping founders scale globally, close funding, and execute cross-border transactions.
As an investor, I have backed transformative companies including OpenAI, SpaceX, Neuralink, Figure, 1X Technologies, EON Systems, and Torramics II — and continue to source and evaluate frontier technology investments as Venture Partner at VU Venture Partners.
I am currently open to senior executive roles, board positions, and select advisory engagements in Deep Tech, Biotech, and Gaming.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2023-Present
Founder, CEO & Investor
(Hong Kong / Global)
PivotCXO
Fractional executive and strategic advisory platform supporting deep-tech start up and growth‑stage companies with strategy, fundraising, cross‑border transactions, and market expansion.
Selected Advisory Engagements:
Nanyang Biologics (Singapore) – Supporting corporate strategy and global expansion for AI‑powered drug discovery; currently slated for a $1.5B SPAC listing on NASDAQ.
Gominex (AI Healthcare, China) – Advising on business strategy, planning, and fundraising for an emerging AI diagnostics and therapeutics venture. Closed a $27M Series A.
Cross‑Border M&A – Germany/China – Led the acquisition of a German manufacturing company by a Chinese strategic buyer, managing deal strategy, negotiations, and stakeholder alignment.
Startup Advisory & Speaking – Partnering with founders to overcome real‑world startup challenges—from funding and growth to global expansion.
(Additional advisory and fractional leadership projects ongoing under the PivotCXO platform.)
2024-Present
Venture Partner
(San Francisco, United States)
VU Venture Partners
A global multi-stage deep-tech investment fund with $1.8B+ deployed across 250+ companies, generating 4x+ net cash returns and backing category-defining companies including Beyond Meat, Facebook, Uber, Twitter, Venmo, and Pinterest.
As Venture Partner, I source and evaluate frontier technology investments across AI, biotech, healthcare, fintech, and deep tech — working alongside GPs with 45+ years of combined VC experience.
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Sourcing and evaluating high-potential investment opportunities across Consumer, Enterprise, Fintech, Frontier, Healthcare, PropTech, and AgTech sectors.
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Leading comprehensive due diligence including market sizing, founder-market fit, business model viability, financial modelling, and term sheet negotiations.
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Presenting investment opportunities at weekly Partner Meetings and advancing select deals to the GP Investment Committee.
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Building and managing relationships with founders, co-investors, family offices, and institutional investors to drive proprietary deal flow.
2019-2023
(4 Years)
Founder & CEO
(Canada)
Confidential Tech Venture - Highly Regulated Medical Market
Founded and exited a data‑driven technology venture in a tightly regulated medical market, achieving a 2.6x multiple on invested capital within two years of commercial launch. Led end‑to‑end company building across product, operations, and go‑to‑market in a tightly regulated environment.
ACQUIRED
2002-2018
(16 Years) (Hong Kong)
2012 - 2018
Founding Managing Director & Regional VP, Asia
2008 - 2012
Managing Director - Southeast Asia / Senior Director - Global Market Development
2002 - 2008
Founding Managing Director - Greater China / Southeast Asia
Blizzard Entertainment
Joined Blizzard as a founding member of the Asia operation when the region was largely untapped. Over 16 years, built and scaled the business from the ground up across 13 markets — including Greater China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, India, Singapore and Southeast Asia — growing it into one of Blizzard's most strategically significant and commercially successful regions globally.
Led the launch and commercial rollout of Blizzard's iconic franchise titles (Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm) across Asia, navigating complex regulatory environments, culturally diverse markets, and highly competitive local gaming ecosystems.
Built and led high-performing regional teams, negotiated landmark publishing and distribution partnerships, managed full regional P&L.
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Established Blizzard's inaugural offices in Greater China, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Australia.
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Scaled operations across 13 Asia Pacific markets, temporarily extending remit to include South American market entry before appointing a dedicated regional MD.
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Negotiated key strategic partnerships driving significant market penetration.
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Built and led multicultural teams across Blizzard's wholly-owned regional offices and joint venture operations, overseeing an organisation of nearly 2,000 people across Asia.
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Served as MD & Board Member, Activision Blizzard International UA, Amsterdam.
2014 - 2017
Managing Director & Board Member
Cooperative Activision Blizzard Int'l U.A.
(Amsterdam, Netherlands)
1994-2002
(8 Years)
Director of Strategic Initiatives
(Hong Kong)
Core Financial Networks
Served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for a Hong Kong-based family office over an 8-year tenure, working directly with the Vice Chairman to identify, evaluate, and manage investments in high-potential startups and emerging sectors.
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Sourced and evaluated investment opportunities across startups and emerging technology sectors aligned with the family's strategic objectives.
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Provided operational and strategic oversight to portfolio companies, driving execution and sustainable growth.
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Led fundraising and investor relations initiatives, securing capital for selected portfolio companies.
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Managed cross-functional strategic projects from inception through delivery, on time and within budget.
EDUCATION
King's College, London
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (loPPN)
Master of Science, Applied Neuroscience (In Progress)
The programme focuses on the biological and cognitive foundations of mental health, brain function, and neurotechnology applications. It explores how brain structure, function, and development relate to behaviour, decision‑making, and mental health, with a strong focus on neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, neuroimaging, and translational research.
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Executive Program: The Oxford Artificial Intelligence Programme
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.
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Executive Program: Digital Transformation & AI Playbook
The program is designed for business and technology leaders driving digital innovation. The curriculum covers advanced applications of AI, machine learning, cloud computing, IoT, automation, and AR/VR. Participants learn to evaluate emerging technologies, align them with strategic business goals, and lead transformation initiatives. The program emphasizes data-driven decision-making, organizational change, and ROI-focused digital strategy using proprietary frameworks such as BATL and the Digital Transformation Canvas. The program equips leaders to architect and execute scalable digital transformation roadmaps.
Harvard Medical School
Executive Program: AI In Healthcare - From Strategy to Implementation
This program focused on equipping health care leaders with the expertise to design, implement, and scale AI-driven solutions. The curriculum provided a comprehensive understanding of AI fundamentals, development pipelines, and the unique challenges of translating AI from research to real-world health care settings. I gained hands-on experience evaluating ethical considerations, transparency, and bias in AI applications, while also exploring the potential of AI in emerging areas such as drug discovery, startups and wearable technologies. This program enhanced my ability to identify new opportunities, address regulatory and operational complexities, and lead transformative AI initiatives that drive meaningful change in the health care sector.
Singularity University
Executive Program: Exponential Technologies
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.
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
Venture University
Executive Program: Venture Capital Investor Accelerator Program
A full-time 11 week in-person 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 (MSc in Global Finance)
Courses: Applied Corporate Finance, Derivatives, Fixed Income Instruments, Asset Allocation, Global and Asian Markets
Leicester Business School
Master of Business Administration
Strathclyde Business School
Master 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
AI & Deep Tech Strategy
P&L Management ($500M+)
Cross-Border M&A
Strategic Partnerships & Deal-Making
Global Team Leadership (2,000+ people)
Venture Capital & Due Diligence
Asia Pacific Market Entry
Regulatory Navigation (Medical & Gaming)
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.