Local
expertise
global
mindset
The lead co-founders of CM Venture Capital have more than 50 years of combined experience in research and development, venture capital, entrepreneurship and business development.
Dr. Min Zhou
Founder, CEO of CM Venture
Dr. Min Zhou
Founder, CEO of CM Venture
Min is the Co-founder and CEO of CM Venture Capital, a shanghai-based venture capital company focused on new materials, advanced manufacturing, digital industrial, energy and environment. CM Funds are backed by leading multinational companies including GE, Samsung, BASF, SABIC, Heraeus, Petronas, etc. Since establishing Fund I in 2012, CM Venture Capital has invested in dozens of hard-tech companies that are leading new industries of the future.
Prior to co-founding CM Venture Capital in 2010, Min had six years of investment experience in the US, first with Unilever Technology Ventures where she led investments in physical sciences, then with Silicon Valley Bank Capital, where she was responsible for FOF investments.
Min is a scientist by training, she had six years of R&D and technology commercialization experience at Rockwell Scientific (now Teledyne) after earning a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from University of Southern California. Min also earned MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles, and B.S. in materials science from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Prior to co-founding CM Venture Capital in 2010, Min had six years of investment experience in the US, first with Unilever Technology Ventures where she led investments in physical sciences, then with Silicon Valley Bank Capital, where she was responsible for FOF investments.
Min is a scientist by training, she had six years of R&D and technology commercialization experience at Rockwell Scientific (now Teledyne) after earning a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from University of Southern California. Min also earned MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles, and B.S. in materials science from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Dr. Patrick Berbon
Managing Partner
Dr. Patrick Berbon
Managing Partner
Patrick has an extensive background in metallurgy, aerospace, power and cleantech industries.
Before co-founding CM Venture Capital, Patrick was a Senior Consultant at Performance Improvement, a risk analysis and management company specialized in power industries. Patrick is an experienced entrepreneur in the advanced materials space. His prior start-up focuses on advanced nanograin aluminum alloys and its applications, the company was successfully listed on the Toronto Venture Exchange. Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Patrick was a Senior Scientist in Materials Science Division at Rockwell Scientific Inc. Patrick specializes in advanced materials and clean technologies, including renewable electricity generation, biofuels for transportation, green building, clean water, clean air, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, recyclable materials, sustainable foresting and agriculture, and energy efficiency.
Patrick obtained Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, M.S. from Tsinghua University (China) and M.S./B.S. from Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France), all in Materials Sciences. Patrick is a member of the Board of Directors of CTT (UK), Zenithnano, Enwise, Tetrels, Octadem.
Before co-founding CM Venture Capital, Patrick was a Senior Consultant at Performance Improvement, a risk analysis and management company specialized in power industries. Patrick is an experienced entrepreneur in the advanced materials space. His prior start-up focuses on advanced nanograin aluminum alloys and its applications, the company was successfully listed on the Toronto Venture Exchange. Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Patrick was a Senior Scientist in Materials Science Division at Rockwell Scientific Inc. Patrick specializes in advanced materials and clean technologies, including renewable electricity generation, biofuels for transportation, green building, clean water, clean air, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, recyclable materials, sustainable foresting and agriculture, and energy efficiency.
Patrick obtained Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, M.S. from Tsinghua University (China) and M.S./B.S. from Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France), all in Materials Sciences. Patrick is a member of the Board of Directors of CTT (UK), Zenithnano, Enwise, Tetrels, Octadem.
Michelle Hua
Partner
Michelle Hua
Partner
Michelle has extensive experience in private equity investment and strategy consulting.
Prior to joining CM Venture Capital, Ms. Hua served as Director with Co-bridge Capital, where she led investments in companies in the fields of clean-tech, advanced material and IT service. Before that, Ms. Hua was a strategy consultant with Monitor Group and PRTM, where she advised clients on M&A, market entry, and operations strategy. Earlier in her career, Ms. Hua worked in Dell Computer and Nortel where she was involved in product development, strategic planning and operations management.
Michelle earned a MBA from University of Michigan Business School, a Master degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Maryland, dual Bachelor degree in Material Science and Automation from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Michelle is on the board of iRock, Nanotop, Compound Semiconductor.
Prior to joining CM Venture Capital, Ms. Hua served as Director with Co-bridge Capital, where she led investments in companies in the fields of clean-tech, advanced material and IT service. Before that, Ms. Hua was a strategy consultant with Monitor Group and PRTM, where she advised clients on M&A, market entry, and operations strategy. Earlier in her career, Ms. Hua worked in Dell Computer and Nortel where she was involved in product development, strategic planning and operations management.
Michelle earned a MBA from University of Michigan Business School, a Master degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Maryland, dual Bachelor degree in Material Science and Automation from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Michelle is on the board of iRock, Nanotop, Compound Semiconductor.
Jean-Claude Pierre
Partner (Europe)
Jean-Claude Pierre
Partner (Europe)
With decades of management and business experience in the chemical industry, Jean-Claude Pierre is a Venture Partner of CM Venture Capital. After starting as a chemical engineer with I.C.I. in England and developing Ashland specialty Polymers business in Northern Europe, Jean-Claude spent seven years in the US and Germany with BASF where, among other roles, he led their venture capital division. From 2006 to 2015, Jean-Claude spent ten years in China in various managerial and consulting roles in the chemical sector. In 2015, Jean-Claude returned to the UK to lead Scott Bader, a $300m turnover global specialty chemicals company. Subsequently, he became chairman of the Nuada board, as of end 2022.
Xavier Wong
Marketing & Comms Director
Xavier Wong
Marketing & Comms Director
With over 25 years of experience in the fast-paced advertising, creative, marketing & communications industry, Xavier's experience spans across top Fortune 500 companies. Xavier was the Global Creative Director for Huawei Technologies from 2015-2021, overseeing foreign markets and establishing its global brand identity. During his tenure, Huawei exceeded US$100 bn in annual revenue despite political crosswinds. He was also the COO/Executive Producer for an east-west-focused media platform RADII, to transform and build its marketing strengths. Xavier has held creative leadership roles at WPP and Omnicom conglomerates: Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi, FCB, DDB and more, creating effective assets to support marketing goals of global brands such as Exxon Mobil, KFC, Coca Cola and more. He's also served at one of Singapore’s top property developers, CDL – a US$1 bn company – overseeing its marketing communications from a strategic point of view. Starting as an English copywriter back in Singapore in the 90’s, Xavier has picked up a trail of creative awards; from New York Festivals, London Advertising Festivals, The US One Show and more.
Many have served at just one facet of the industry for life – rarely has any served so richly on both agency and client sides, across the east and the west, with a special focus on cutting edge technological innovation in the midst of constantly shifting global policies.
Many have served at just one facet of the industry for life – rarely has any served so richly on both agency and client sides, across the east and the west, with a special focus on cutting edge technological innovation in the midst of constantly shifting global policies.
Mason Yin
Investment Associate
Mason Yin
Investment Associate
At CM Ventures, Mason researches and explores the fields of new energy and semiconductor materials. In the new energy sector, he actively focuses on electrochemical energy storage and hydrogen energy technology, gaining in-depth understanding of industry development trends, and is committed to identifying potential sustainable energy technologies.
For semiconductor materials, he has conducted thorough research on compound semiconductors and pays close attention to their applications in the fields of power & lasers. With a deep understanding and sharp insight of the industry, his keen financial sense has uncovered a number of investment-worthy startups for CM Ventures.
Mason graduated from the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry & Environmental Engineering. He also obtained a Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Cornell University in the U.S. As an undergrad, he participated in material research and published multiple SCI papers, accumulating extensive experience in material research and expertise in chemical processes, environmental engineering, and materials.
Jesse Chen
Investment Associate
Jesse Chen
Investment Associate
Jesse Chen joined CM Venture as an analyst covering materials, LOHAS fields.
Prior to CM Ventures, Jesse had internships at AIStar Venture Capital and Guoseng Securities.
Jesse has a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the East China University of Science &Technology, with a two-year minor in finance. He has participated in national-level research projects, such as methanol-reforming hydrogen production catalysts. "Stay hungry, Stay foolish" is one of his beliefs.
Prior to CM Ventures, Jesse had internships at AIStar Venture Capital and Guoseng Securities.
Jesse has a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the East China University of Science &Technology, with a two-year minor in finance. He has participated in national-level research projects, such as methanol-reforming hydrogen production catalysts. "Stay hungry, Stay foolish" is one of his beliefs.
Fiona Fu
Finance
Fiona Fu
Finance
Fiona Fu joined CM Venture in December 2020 starting as an administrative cashier, gradually advancing through the ranks. Prior, she was a tax accountant at Sinian Food for 3 years. She directly supports the enablement of financial goals for the company and she believes in the importance of efficiency, honesty, and integrity as core values.
Her career philosophy is to complete every job with honesty and efficiency. She believes that real results are achieved by being down-to-earth and taking each step diligently. In her free time, her passion for life takes her hiking across China, enjoying different cultures and lifestyles.
Taylor Liao
Admin & SEIF Foundation Secretary
Taylor Liao
Admin & SEIF Foundation Secretary
Taylor graduated from Nanguang College of Communication University of China, majoring in journalism. Her professional experience in administrative and finance matters stretches over more than a decade. She believes in having a strong team spirit, with a personal passion for life and sports.
Proven Track Record in Industrial Investments
With over 30% IRR for investments over USD 100 million (cumulative) on average, we’re serious about making sure every decision counts. This is driven by our global mindset and strong backgrounds in the science and materials technology industry.
Scientific, Technical, Rational
Co-founders are qualified scientists with PhD in Materials Science and years of experience in R&D centers dealing with cutting-edge material technologies. The team is built on a strong technical foundation: all in-house Investment Associates must have technical backgrounds, not just financial or investment qualifications.
Reputation and Insights
Since 2010, CM Venture has developed a strong name in the materials and industrial space. We attract top quality dealflows and investment opportunities, working with global investors such as BASF, Henkel, Samsung, Heraeus, Petronas, GE and more.