Wei Zhou of CCV Capital Shares Insights on Venture Capital at Harvard College China Forum 2025

Insights from the 2025 Harvard College China Forum

The iconic Harvard College China Forum took place from April 4th to April 6th, 2025, on the esteemed campus of Harvard University. One of the key figures at this year’s forum was Wei Zhou, the Founding Managing Partner of CCV Capital and former Managing Partner of KPCB China. His presence in a roundtable discussion centered around “Business Development” drew significant attention as he shared his valuable perspectives on cross-border innovation and venture capital trends.

The Role of AI in Cross-border Innovation

During his discussion, Wei Zhou emphasized the critical influence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on shaping cross-border innovation strategies. He pointed out that AI is not just transforming industries but is also a catalyst for significant economic partnerships across borders. He remarked, “Deepseek and Manus are examples of how different layers of AI applications can revolutionize the field, though they target distinct layers—foundational and application.” This insight underlines the necessity for distinguishing evaluations of application-layer products from foundational-layer standards.

Wei further indicated that without adequate application-layer support, even the most innovative foundational technologies can lose their relevance. His analysis serves as a reminder that a focus on practical applications is essential for AI to unlock its full potential and provide universal value.

Trends in the Venture Capital Landscape

Transitioning to the venture capital landscape, Wei Zhou noted a dramatic shift over the past eighteen months, particularly highlighting increased competition within Silicon Valley’s VC environment. He stated, “The venture capital arena has become extremely competitive, characterized by substantial turnover and a notable drop in fundraising.” However, amidst these challenges, AI has emerged as a beacon of opportunity, signifying a promising area for future investments.

For entrepreneurs navigating these turbulent waters, Wei offered three key pieces of advice:
1. Embrace Rapid Iteration: The agility to iterate and improve upon innovations is crucial in today’s fast-paced market.
2. Align with Large Enterprises: Collaborating with established corporations can help startups scale and adapt alongside advancements in AI.
3. Target Global Markets: Emerging markets, especially regions with lesser competition, offer rich opportunities for innovation and growth.

Advice for Aspiring Venture Capitalists

In concluding his contributions to the roundtable, Wei Zhou didn’t shy away from imparting words of wisdom for budding venture capitalists. He stressed the importance of networking, as the venture capital field is inherently social. A robust network can provide access to lucrative investment opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. Moreover, he reinforced the idea that successful investors must develop sharp insights into evolving trends to make timely investment decisions—suggesting that those reliant solely on analytical methodologies may find this rapidly changing landscape challenging.

The Forum's Broader Context

Organized entirely by students, the Harvard College China Forum stands as the longest-running and largest summit focused on China, drawing leaders and innovators from various domains. This year’s theme, “Navigating Changing Times,” aimed to foster meaningful dialogues between distinguished figures from political, business, and academic sectors across China and the USA, focusing on collaborative opportunities for long-term partnerships.

Among the notable attendees were Kevin Rudd, the former Australian Prime Minister, and others from diverse fields engaged in discussions surrounding pressing issues such as international relations, finance, biotechnology, and AI.

Overall, the 2025 Harvard College China Forum served not just as a platform for discussion but also as a crucible for generating actionable insights into the global economic landscape, placing a spotlight on the indispensable role of innovative ventures in this interconnected world.