Linear Venture
Linear Capital is a Shanghai-headquartered frontier-technology venture capital firm founded in 2014, managing 10 funds with over US$2 billion in AUM. It leads angel-to-Series A rounds of US$1-10 million in AI software, embodied intelligence, and AI-for-science startups across 170+ portfolio companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Linear Venture does
Linear Capital is a China-based, frontier-technology focused venture capital firm founded in 2014 by Harry Wang, Facebook's first Chinese R&D manager. The firm operates as a fund manager rather than a product company, deploying capital from 10 funds with assets under management exceeding US$2 billion across its Shanghai headquarters and Hong Kong office. Its investment strategy is concentrated on three core themes: AI software and applications, AI hardware and embodied intelligence, and AI for science and manufacturing (spanning energy, materials, and biotech). The firm typically leads rounds from angel to Series A, writing checks of US$1 million to US$10 million per project, with exceptions for standout opportunities.
Linear Capital's portfolio spans 170+ early-stage technology companies with a combined valuation of approximately US$30 billion. Representative investments include Horizon Robotics (9660.HK, ADAS and autonomous driving), Agile Robots (intelligent robotics, Beijing and Munich), Manycore Tech (spatial intelligence), EHang (NASDAQ: EH, urban air mobility), Rokid (AR/MR), Tezign (enterprise generative AI), TARS (embodied AI), D-Robotics (embodied intelligence infrastructure), Deep Principle (AI for chemistry and materials), Rino.ai (L4 autonomous driving), and RIVR (acquired by Amazon). The firm's go-to-market is relationship-driven: deal flow originates from direct outreach to technical founders, a global network of industry contacts, and content marketing via quarterly newsletters, WeChat, X, LinkedIn, Rednote, and major industry events such as the World AI Conference, Davos Forum, and BEYOND EXPO.
The revenue model follows standard venture capital mechanics, with management fees on committed capital across the 10 funds and performance fees (carry) realized upon successful exits. Distribution and sourcing rely entirely on direct engagement rather than intermediated channels, and project submissions are routed through [email protected]. The team of 11-50 professionals combines ex-Facebook, Google, Meta, Square (Block), Tencent, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bear Stearns, JPMorgan, and Big Four backgrounds, supporting in-house finance, legal, marketing, and investor relations functions alongside the investment team.
Linear Venture firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Linear Venture
- Legal name
- Linear Capital
- Website
- https://linear.vc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Linear Capital is a Shanghai-headquartered frontier-technology venture capital firm founded in 2014, managing 10 funds with over US$2 billion in AUM. It leads angel-to-Series A rounds of US$1-10 million in AI software, embodied intelligence, and AI-for-science startups across 170+ portfolio companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Linear Venture industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital / Early-Stage Frontier Technology Investment
- NAICS
- Other Financial Investment Activities (5239)
- SIC
- Investors, Nec (6799)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Venture Capital Fund-of-Funds (FSANAGAC)
Keywords
Where Linear Venture is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Linear Venture business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Fund Management Fees: Managing 10 funds with AUM of more than $2 billion, generating revenue through standard venture capital fund management fee structures
- Carry/Performance Fees: Venture capital returns generated through successful portfolio company exits, with combined portfolio valuation reaching approximately $30 billion
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Early-stage investments (Angel to Series A) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Linear Venture product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Linear Capital is a Frontier Tech Fund that provides early-stage equity capital (angel to Series A) to technology startups applying AI, robotics, and frontier science to real-world problems. Standard commitments range from US$1 million to US$10 million per project, deployed through 10 managed funds with combined AUM above US$2 billion. Beyond capital, the firm offers portfolio companies operational support across finance, legal, marketing, PR, and HR.
Product overview
Linear Capital is a Frontier Tech Fund founded in 2014 by Harry Wang, Facebook's first Chinese R&D manager. As a venture capital firm, Linear Capital does not offer a product platform in the traditional SaaS sense. The firm manages 10 funds with AUM of more than $2 billion and has invested in over 170 technology startups. Their investment strategy focuses on frontier technology applications including AI software and applications, AI hardware and embodied intelligence, and AI for science and manufacturing (energy, materials, biotech). The firm provides capital injection and industrial resources to frontier tech entrepreneurs from angel to Series A stages, with standard commitments ranging from $1 million to $10 million per project.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Linear Capital Frontier Tech Fund (Early-Stage Equity Investment) Early-stage equity capital (angel to Series A) of US$1 million to US$10 million per project, deployed to frontier technology startups in AI software/applications, AI hardware & embodied intelligence, and AI for science & manufacturing (energy, materials, biotech). Offered to founding teams of early-stage technology companies via direct outreach and inbound pitch ([email protected]), with follow-on capital committed across consecutive rounds.
- Portfolio Operational Support Services Hands-on operational advisory support delivered by Linear Capital's professional operations team to portfolio companies across finance, legal, marketing, PR, and HR functions, including cross-border introductions (US/Asia/Europe). Provided as part of Linear Capital's partnership with portfolio founders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Combined portfolio valuation of approximately $30 billion
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Linear Venture
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Linear Venture technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Linear Venture partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship.
- AmazonflagshipAmazon acquired RIVR, a portfolio company that Linear Capital was the first investor in. RIVR developed embodied intelligent robotics for last-mile delivery and partnered with Europe's largest food delivery platform Just Eat Takeaway.
- Google DeepMindflagshipAgile Robots (思灵机器人), a Linear Capital portfolio company, announced major strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to bring cutting-edge AI to real-world robotics scenarios.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Linear Venture competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ZhenFund: China-based early-stage VC founded in 2011 by Bob Xu and Victor Wang, focused on technology and consumer seed/angel investing with broad sector coverage. Most directly comparable to Linear Capital by stage, China focus, and brand recognition in early-stage Chinese tech.
- MiraclePlus (formerly YC China): Early-stage startup accelerator and investor in China, with model adapted from Y Combinator. Direct peer in early-stage tech investing and founder development support in the Chinese market.
- Sinovation Ventures: AI-focused early-to-growth stage venture firm founded by Kai-Fu Lee, with deep China tech investment activity. Highly comparable to Linear Capital in AI/technology thesis and early-stage orientation.
- Plum Ventures: China-based early-stage VC investing across consumer, enterprise, and frontier tech. Direct competitor for early-round frontier tech deals in the Chinese market with similar stage focus.
- Innovation Works: Chinese early-to-growth stage tech VC founded by Kai-Fu Lee in 2009, with emphasis on AI and deep tech. Comparable to Linear Capital in frontier tech investment thesis and China focus.
- Yunfeng Capital: China-based venture and growth capital firm founded by Jack Ma and others, with technology and AI investment focus. Comparable to Linear Capital in frontier tech investing within the Chinese ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Hillhouse Capital: Major Asia-focused investment firm managing tens of billions across public and private investments. Comparable to Linear Capital as a co-investor in frontier tech deals but operates at vastly larger scale with broader mandate.
- IDG Capital: One of the earliest foreign VC firms in China with broad tech and consumer coverage. Comparable as a broad incumbent Chinese VC with overlapping frontier tech investment activity.
- Sequoia Capital China: Premier China-focused venture and growth firm (now HongShan). Overlaps with Linear Capital in frontier tech and AI investing, with co-investment history in companies like Anyverse.
- Zhencheng Capital (Legend Capital): One of China's largest established venture and growth capital firms (founded 2001), with broader sector coverage than Linear but overlapping in frontier tech and growth-stage Chinese investments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Linear Venture social profiles
Digital presenceLinear Venture financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Linear Venture leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Linear Venture funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Linear Venture M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments102 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Linear Venture
What does Linear Venture do?
Linear Capital is a Frontier Tech Fund that provides early-stage equity capital (angel to Series A) to technology startups applying AI, robotics, and frontier science to real-world problems. Standard commitments range from US$1 million to US$10 million per project, deployed through 10 managed funds with combined AUM above US$2 billion. Beyond capital, the firm offers portfolio companies operational support across finance, legal, marketing, PR, and HR.
Is Linear Venture a public or private company?
Linear Venture is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Linear Venture founded?
Linear Venture was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Linear Venture based?
Linear Venture is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does Linear Venture make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Fund Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are carry/Performance Fees.
Who are Linear Venture's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ZhenFund, MiraclePlus (formerly YC China), Sinovation Ventures, Plum Ventures, Innovation Works and Yunfeng Capital. Broad incumbents are Hillhouse Capital, IDG Capital, Sequoia Capital China and Zhencheng Capital (Legend Capital).
Does Linear Venture have an API?
No public API is recorded for Linear Venture.
What industry is Linear Venture in?
Linear Venture's product category is Venture Capital / Early-Stage Frontier Technology Investment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAGAC, Venture Capital Fund-of-Funds. Its NAICS code is 5239 and its SIC code is 6799.