Eric Xun Li

Eric Xun Li is a venture capitalist and political scientist in Shanghai. Born during a transformative era in China’s modern history, Li grew up amid the country’s rapid socio-economic development. In pursuit of broader educational opportunities, he moved to the United States in the late 1980s. After completing his studies, he returned to China in 2000, bringing with him a unique blend of Western business acumen and a deep-rooted understanding of Chinese culture and political systems.

Li is the founder and managing partner of Chengwei Capital, an evergreen venture capital firm based in Shanghai. Since its inception, Chengwei Capital has invested over $2 billion across more than 100 companies in sectors including communication and enterprise software, financial services, IC design, niche component manufacturing, healthcare, and media. The firm’s portfolio includes several unicorns such as Hellobike, WM Motor, Baibu, XAG, Sila Nano, and StarFive. Under Li’s leadership, Chengwei has established itself as a leading force in China’s venture capital landscape, known for its disciplined and long-term investment strategy. In 2011, Li founded Guancha.cn, a digital media platform recogniged for its nationalist editorial stance and critical engagement with Western political models. The platform has become a prominent voice in China’s media ecosystem.

Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Li is actively engaged with academic, cultural, and policy institutions worldwide. He serves on the boards of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), Stanford Graduate School of Business, and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. He is also a trustee of Fudan University’s China Institute, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the San Francisco Symphony, and Asia Society Hong Kong. Additionally, he sits on the International Board of the New York Philharmonic and is a member of the Council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). He is also a board member of the RISC-V International Association, underscoring his commitment to advancing open-source technology and innovation.

Li holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Fudan University.

A frequent contributor to leading international publications such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The New York Times, Financial Times, and The Economist, Li is also the author of Party Life: Chinese Governance and the World Beyond Liberalism.