In 2025, we find ourselves at a defining moment for Chinese leadership on the global stage.

A clearer and more nuanced picture of a new generation of Chinese global leaders is emerging. Whether leading multinational operations in China, taking Chinese brands overseas, or operating at the heart of global capital markets, globalization is the shared foundation of this group. Across technology, industry, institutions, and culture, they are actively shaping global systems and increasingly taking center stage in the world economy.

Within the “Trend Explorers” category, which includes TSVC Founding and Managing Partner Eugene Zhang, each honoree represents a key force behind long-term economic and technological progress. These individuals are not just beneficiaries of growth, but builders of it. Through strategic capital allocation, academic leadership, and cultural exchange, they help connect China with global markets, research with industry, and capital with innovation.

For leading investors, true strength is measured by both total portfolio value and landmark success stories. Eugene Zhang, head of TSVC, is widely recognized as one of Silicon Valley’s most accomplished seed-stage investors. Over the course of his career, he has led more than 200 early-stage investments, identifying 11 unicorns and 5 publicly listed companies from the seed stage. His portfolio includes companies such as Zoom, Ginkgo Bioworks, andCarta.

Notably, Eugene was the first institutional investor in Zoom, writing the company’s earliest institutional check. At its peak, Zoom’s market capitalization exceeded USD 78 billion, making it one of the most emblematic Silicon Valley success stories of the past decade. These results have earned Eugene a reputation as one of the most consistently successful seed-stage investors in Silicon Valley, often regarded as a leading figure in Chinese-founded early-stage venture capital.

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