SAN FRANCISCO, CA and BEIJING and TAIPEI, TAIWAN--(Marketwire - July 1, 2010) - WI Harper Group, a leading Chinese early and expansion stage venture capital firm, today announced that Jimmy Lu has joined the firm as its Executive Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO). WI Harper pioneered the investment strategy of creating a value-added bridge between Greater China and the United States and currently focuses on leading high technology, clean technology and healthcare companies in China, Taiwan and Silicon Valley. Mr. Lu, based in San Francisco and Beijing, will oversee WI Harper's global operations and work closely with Founder and Chairman Peter Liu.
"For over 15 years, WI Harper has been building global leaders in Greater China. Our firm creates exceptional value for our portfolio companies through our local presence in China and strategic presence in Taiwan and the United States. Jimmy's strong background in building high-growth, global companies as an investor and an operator will enable him to immediately impact the management of our firm and our portfolio companies," said WI Harper Chairman, Peter Liu. "We are very fortunate to benefit from Jimmy's vast experience and leadership as we continue to strengthen our investment platform."
Mr. Lu co-founded and most recently served as General Partner of iD Ventures America (formerly Acer Technology Ventures), which manages several funds, including Acer Technology Venture Fund and IP Fund One. The funds were early investors in such companies as iRobot (
"As a founding venture capital franchise in Greater China, WI Harper has a sound track record of sourcing unique investment opportunities, and its industry and government relationships add value as a partner and accelerator for growth. I have learned from and grown tremendously with my colleagues at Acer and iD Ventures in pursuing a similar approach to venture capital investing. I look forward to bringing my knowledge, experience and networks to enhance this model at WI Harper," said Jimmy Lu, Executive Managing Director and COO, WI Harper. "I am delighted to join WI Harper's exceptional team to advance the firm's investment objectives."
Previously, as General Counsel of Acer, Mr. Lu worked closely with senior management to structure the Acer Group's international joint ventures, strategic alliances, acquisitions, global financings and commercial transactions. Prior to joining Acer, he was an attorney with Bingham McCutchen in San Francisco, specializing in M&A transactions, debt and equity financings and public securities work. He was also a banker at JP Morgan in New York City. Mr. Lu graduated with a B.A. from Yale College in 1977 and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1981. He received his law degree in 1986 from UC Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall).
About WI Harper
Founded in 1993, WI Harper Group is a venture capital firm that invests in early and expansion stage companies with significant operations in China and aspirations to become global leaders. We are an active partner with a track record of over 100 investments in the technology, clean technology and health care sectors. The firm manages $500 million in capital from our offices in Beijing, Taipei and San Francisco. www.wiharper.com
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