How to Capture Unique Opportunities in China

Joe Tian, founder and managing partner of DT Capital Management, a Shanghai-based private equity firm which manages over US$500 million in three funds, has devoted his career to the China venture capital industry since returning to China following his graduation from Wharton in 1998. Before founding the firm in 2006 with his partner Shao Jun, he worked as chief investment officer and managing director for Dragon Tech Ventures, a corporate-sponsored VC firm focusing on China.

As one of China's early returnees from school abroad and also one of the first batch of venture capitalists in the country, Tian has witnessed the emergence of China's venture capital industry in the midst of several ups and downs in international capital markets, including the still-unfolding global financial crisis. In a recent interview with China Knowledge@Wharton, Tian talked about the challenges of being a venture capitalist in a rapidly growing, uncertain market like China.

The following is an edited version of the interview.

China Knowledge@Wharton: Can you give us a brief overview of DT Capital and your personal background? ...