The Students’ Center on Weijin Road campus witnessed a wonderful lecture on Apr. 28th. Zhang Lu, alumnus of the school of Materials Science and Engineering and an undergraduate of 2006, shared her stories of campus life and social experiences with students and faculty members in the Peiyang Lecture hall. 

Zhang Lu was honored as one of the ’30 Under 30 for Venture Capital’ by Forbes in January, 2017. In April, she was distinguished as one of the ’30 Under 30 Asia for Venture Capital (VC)’ by Forbes, and became the only investor who on the top list of both America and Asia in the same year. She is now a Founding Partner of NewGen Capital and an entrepreneurship mentor of Xuanhuai School in Tianjin University. “There is no choice without a cause”, she answered when asked about her transferring from material science to VC. “It is not temporary success but the victory in the long run that helps achieve one’s goal” she continued. 

During her life in Tianjin University, she excelled in both study and research. After graduation, she furthered her study in materials science and engineering at Stanford University, and attained her master’s degree in 2012. Then, she established the medical device Acetone Inc. After selling it in 2014, she built her own firm NewGen, and moved into VC. “From the startup based on technical advantages to the establishment of NewGen Capital”, she said, “the experience accumulated in the process is invaluable to my goal, and every single step counts.” She was straightforward in expressing that her aspiration did make a difference to her startup, but it wasn’t the be all and end all. “There is never a lack of intelligent and diligent people in Silicon Valley”, she added, “and the grasping and harnessing of opportunities are what really matters.” 

When it came to her campus life, she was grateful to what she had gained from Tianjin University. As she mentioned, the motto “Seeking Truth from Facts” had a far-reaching influence in her life. She was also thankful to her engineering background in Tianjin University which contributed a lot to her success in the capital industry. “Arduous work with passion, patience and perseverance is the best policy.” She said and so she did, “The day when you are chosen will be the one in which you choose others.” 

While talking about the connection between innovation and startups, she pointed out that they are not equivalent. Innovation at university places emphasis on the cultivation of students’ interests, and motivates them to develop original ideas. “Whether choosing to start a business or not,” she believes, “those who consistently spare no effort will eventually reap a good harvest”. 

By: Ma Zhou

Photo: Ding Yu

Editors: Qin Mian and Christopher Peter Clarke