YZ

Yao Zhang

Yao Zhang


Venture Investor, AI Researcher, and Entrepreneur

Professional Overview


Yao Zhang is a seasoned venture investor, AI researcher, and entrepreneur with a proven track record of identifying and nurturing innovative technologies and high-growth startups. As a Venture Investor at Sequoia Capital China, he leverages his deep technical expertise and industry insights to source, evaluate, and support the most promising AI and tech-enabled ventures. Yao also maintains an active role as the main author of BigDL and PocketFlow, two widely-adopted open-source machine learning frameworks.

Experience Summary



Current Roles


Venture Investor, Sequoia Capital China (2023 - Present)
  • Responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and supporting early-stage AI and technology startups

  • Leverages technical expertise and market insights to identify high-potential investment opportunities

  • Actively engages with portfolio companies to accelerate growth and drive successful outcomes


Main Author, BigDL and PocketFlow (2023 - Present)
  • Leads the development and maintenance of BigDL and PocketFlow, two influential open-source machine learning frameworks

  • Collaborates with a global community of researchers and engineers to advance the state-of-the-art in distributed deep learning and model optimization


First-round Investor, Moonshot AI (2023 - Present)
  • Serves as a first-round investor in Moonshot AI, a pioneering startup developing advanced AI solutions for enterprise customers


Career Progression


Investment Associate, Sequoia Capital China (2021 - 2022)
  • Evaluated investment opportunities in the AI and technology sectors, contributing to the firm's portfolio expansion

  • Supported portfolio companies in refining their strategic roadmaps and accelerating growth


Investment Analyst, Sequoia Capital China (2019 - 2020)
  • Conducted in-depth market research and competitive analysis to identify promising investment prospects

  • Collaborated with the investment team to develop comprehensive investment theses and recommendations


Angel Investor, Meshy (2021 - 2024)
  • Provided early-stage funding and strategic guidance to Meshy, a promising AI-powered SaaS startup


First-round Investor, Moore Threads Technology Co. Ltd. (2020 - 2024)
  • Invested in Moore Threads, a leading Chinese GPU manufacturer, during its early funding rounds


Research Scientist, AI Lab, Tencent (2018 - 2018)
  • Conducted research and development in the field of computer vision and deep learning

  • Contributed to the advancement of Tencent's AI capabilities and products


Machine Learning Engineer, Intel Corporation (2016 - 2017)
  • Developed and optimized machine learning models for various Intel product lines

  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance the performance and efficiency of Intel's AI solutions


Academic Background


Yao holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from the prestigious Tsinghua University, where he specialized in machine learning and artificial intelligence. During his studies, he demonstrated exceptional academic abilities and was recognized for his contributions to several cutting-edge research projects.

Areas of Expertise


  • Venture capital investment in AI and technology sectors

  • Machine learning and deep learning research and development

  • Open-source software development and community engagement

  • Strategic advisory and growth acceleration for startups

  • Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership


Professional Impact


  • Led the development of BigDL and PocketFlow, two widely-adopted open-source machine learning frameworks

  • Contributed to the growth and success of multiple AI and technology startups as an early-stage investor

  • Leveraged technical expertise and market insights to identify high-potential investment opportunities for Sequoia Capital China

  • Recognized as a thought leader in the AI and venture capital ecosystems, frequently invited to speak at industry events and conferences


Conclusion


Yao Zhang's diverse experience as a venture investor, AI researcher, and entrepreneur positions him as a unique and valuable asset in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. With his deep technical expertise, industry insights, and proven track record of identifying and supporting high-growth startups, Yao is poised to continue driving innovation and creating lasting impact in the AI and venture capital ecosystems.