Jacky Chu

Jacky Chu, also identified in Chinese-language sources as 朱成志, has been an investment professional at Sumitomo Corporation Equity Asia Limited (SCEA), the Hong Kong-based Asian private equity and venture capital arm of Sumitomo Corporation. A 2013 SCEA company presentation uploaded by Jacky Chu lists him among the firm’s investment professionals and gives the Shanghai Representative Office phone number as 86-21-6146-1888 ext. 2224.

Chinese event and deal coverage identifies Chu as Senior Vice President of Sumitomo Corporation Equity Asia / Sumitomo Capital and as chief representative of the firm’s Shanghai representative office. A 2018 education forum speaker bio states that he graduated from the University of British Columbia, majoring in electrical and computer engineering, later earned an MBA from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

His background spans venture capital, M&A transaction advisory, management consulting, performance improvement, and IT systems development. At SCEA, his work sits within Sumitomo Corporation’s corporate venture model: backing Asian companies while looking for commercial collaboration with Sumitomo’s global businesses.

SCEA itself was launched in 2002. The firm says it backs entrepreneurs in Asia with Sumitomo Corporation’s global platform, focusing on technologies and businesses from Asia that can unlock global commercial opportunities.

• SCEA’s stated approach is to identify Asian technologies and businesses that can “unlock new commercial opportunities globally” and work with Sumitomo Corporation’s operating businesses.
• The firm’s 2013 investment philosophy says: “We invest in growth and potentiality in Asia,” “regional penetration and global uniqueness,” and revenue-generating business models rather than pure cost-cutting plays.
• SCEA seeks both financial returns and business synergies with Sumitomo’s global network, including market intelligence, marketing support, and introductions to Japanese and international industrial players.
• Preferred check size in the 2013 SCEA presentation was around US$1 million to US$5 million.
• The firm invests mainly in early and growth-stage companies; seed-stage companies were described as lower priority unless the product or service already has customer acceptance and revenue.
• The firm’s “not to do” list excludes infrastructure, real estate/buildings, privatization opportunities, biotech, funds, and pure-concept startups.
• Current firm categories include automation, transportation, consumer and media, clean tech, fintech, and healthcare.