On April 2, 2019, Forbes unveiled its annual Forbes Midas List, ranking top venture investors in the world. Charlie Cao Yi, Founder and Managing Partner of Source Code Capital, was once again awarded with this prestigious distinction, after his initial appearance on The Midas List in 2018.
The name “Midas List” (Forbes’ annual ranking of the most prominent deal-makers in the venture industry) is an allusion to the mythological King Midas, renowned for his ability to turn anything he touched into gold. It is also known as the “Golden Touch” list. It is the apex of “the most astute venture capitalists who can earn the best-in-class returns.”
In 2018, 17 Chinese investors, including Charlie Cao, were listed; in 2019, 21 Chinese investors were named to the Midas List. This is reflective of the increased recognition that Chinese investors have in the global venture capital field, as well as the growing influence of China’s innovation and New Economy start-ups in the world.
In addition to being named to the esteemed Forbes “Midas List” for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019), Charlie Cao was also named a “Top 100 Venture Capitalist” by CB Insights in 2019. In 2018, he was featured as “China’s 30 Most Influential Investors” by Fortune China, and in 2017, he was on Sina’s “China Top Investors Ranking TOP25.” In 2016, he was chosen as “40 Business Elites Under 40” by Fortune China and “Angel Investor of the Year” by Chuangyebang.
A 2C and 2B Portfolio
Mr. Cao is a seasoned investor with over 15 years of experience in venture capital, investment management and business innovation. Under his leadership, he led the Source Code team to invest along the “Big 3” Fundamental Drivers (Internet+, AI+, and Global+) investment map, providing continuous support to entrepreneurs in the “Information Revolution” across various sub-sectors.
Over the past five years, Source Code Capital led investments in nearly 150 enterprises focusing on Internet+, AI+, and Global+ (China-angle companies in the international arena). This is comprised of different sectors such as media and entertainment, consumer services, enterprise, finance, retail, transportation, housing, education, and healthcare.
In addition to ByteDance, Meituan Dianping (3690.HK), Homelink, Ziroom, Qudian (NYSE: QD), RELX Technology, CHJ Automotive, Pagoda and other well-known 2C Internet+ Consumer investment examples, since 2014, Source Code Capital has also led investments in Baibu, YunQuNa, Yijiupi, Yimidida, XiaoYaoYao, Edianzu, Zhongneng United and other outstanding 2B enterprises, and supported their growth from the early stages onwards through later rounds.
Patience and Dedication to Post-Investment Value Creation
After five years of development, Source Code Capital has expanded its organization across three distinct functions (investment, post-investment, and operations), and nutured a team of around 60 professionals. Over the last two years, special attention was paid to deepening the organization’s post-investment capabilities. In 2018 alone, 426 post-investment actions were completed across different functions including Human Capital, Public Relations, Financial Advisory, and Policy, providing much appreciated help and insights to entrepreneurs.
In 2018, Source Code Capital further released a new initiative called “Code Brain,” a platform exchange for entrepreneurs. The monthly “Code Brain” gathering brings dozens of CEOs together to improve knowledge sharing, algorithms and decision-making, as well as to share experiences and feedback. Charlie Cao calls it “systematic learning.”
About Source Code Capital
Source Code Capital was founded in the Spring of 2014, and since then it has devoted to becoming the partner of choice for leading entrepreneurs in today’s “Information Revolution” era with over $900 million and RMB 3 billion under management. The funds managed by trusteeship mainly come from prestigious SWFs, endowments and foundations, pensions, fund of funds, PRC central government guidance funds and state-owned enterprises.
Source Code Capital insists on the significance of research and independent thinking to motivate its investments. It is focused on investing its “Big 3” fundamental drivers, which are Internet+, AI+, and Global+ (China-angle companies in the international arena), and invests along diversified sectors such as finance, enterprise, media and entertainment, consumer services, retail, transportation, housing, education, and healthcare. To date, the Source Code team has led investments in both early and growth stages in close to 150 companies. Its set of portfolio companies include: ByteDance, Meituan Dianping (3690.HK), Homelink, Qudian (NYSE: QD), Asset360, Smart Finance Group, Insnail Hospital, Magnet Finance, ABC FinTech; Yijiupi, Yimidida, XiaoYaoYao, Edianzu, Baibu, Zhongneng United, YunQuNa, Ruigushop; Pagoda, RELX Technology, Meili Inc. (Mogujie) (NYSE:MOGU), XinChao Media, Ziroom, Julive, Huizhaofang, CHJ Automotive, Che300, NIU Technologies (NASDAQ: NIU), Haifeng Education, KnowBox, Walnut Coding, Weimai, Huishoubao, Linlinyi, Linji Convenience Store; Krazybee, Zenjoy and BluePay.
Source Code Capital has created “Code Class,” a strategic alliance composed of 30+ New Economy leaders in China and connected to Source Code portfolio of 150 companies. Within this inner circle, Code Class members can openly exchange and network. In addition, the Code Class ecosystem provides differentiated networks and value-adding resources to its portfolio companies.
