What DNA Fund does

DNA Fund is a privately held venture capital firm headquartered in Shanghai, China, founded in 2015 with initial registered capital of 100 million yuan provided by its founding backer, the CTO100 club of technology executives. The firm invests across global internet, TMT (Technology-Media-Telecommunication), and Big Health sectors, operating through six offices in Shanghai, San Francisco, Beijing, Seoul, Changsha, and Taipei to source cross-border deals, with specific vehicles including Angel X and the China-Korea Venture Fund. Its investment model combines capital deployment with corporate development support: portfolio companies gain access to CTO100 technical mentorship and connections to co-investors such as Plug and Play Tech Center (US) and HealthCap (Europe).

The firm's core products are its venture capital services and the CTO100 Visioning Conference series, a co-hosted invite-only roadshow platform running every two weeks with up to five projects per session, supported by project intake via [email protected]. Underlying operations have no proprietary technology platform; revenue is generated through investment returns, management fees, and carried interest typical of VC fund structures. The firm has expanded its emerging-tech footprint via the October 2024 acquisition of Coral Capital Holdings (adding $50M+ in AUM with hedge and venture funds in DeFi, AI, and blockchain) and a September 2025 strategic partnership with Own. App during Korea Blockchain Week to launch the $OWN Token creator fund.

DNA Fund's go-to-market is event-driven and relationship-based: private, invite-only roadshows with foreign investors and global tech CTOs, complemented by CTO100 club events and conference partnerships. Customer segments are qualified investors (LP-side) and startups/entrepreneurs (portfolio-side), with the legal entity registered as 录演科技有限公司 (Lu Yan Technology Co., Ltd.) and the firm's positioning centered on providing both capital and technical resources to visionary technology founders across China, the US, Korea, and Taiwan.

Name

DNA Fund

Legal name

录演科技有限公司

Website

https://dnafundvc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DNA Fund is a Shanghai-headquartered private venture capital firm founded in 2015 that invests in global internet, TMT, and Big Health startups across six offices in Asia and the US, combining capital deployment with CTO100 technical mentorship and international co-investor partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital

NAICS

Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)

akta.pro primary industry

Captive CVC Fund (Dedicated corporate fund structure) (FSANAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI)

Keywords

• Venture capital
• Startup investment
• TMT investment
• Big health investment
• Private equity

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Venture Capital Investment Returns: DNA Fund generates returns through equity investments in startups, with first phase capital funded by CTO100.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DNA Fund is a private venture capital firm that invests equity capital in early-stage startups operating in the TMT (Technology-Media-Telecommunication) and Big Health sectors. The firm provides portfolio companies with both capital injection and corporate development resources, leveraging the CTO100 network of global technology executives for technical mentorship. It operates invite-only bi-weekly roadshow events connecting startups with global investors and CTOs, and manages offices across Asia and the United States.

Product overview

DNA Fund is a private venture capital firm organized as a single unified investment platform focused on early-stage technology startups. The core offering consists of venture capital investment services, with the CTO100 initiative serving as both a capital source and a value-add program that connects portfolio companies with technical expertise from global CTOs. The firm invests primarily in TMT (Technology-Media-Telecommunication) and Big Health sectors, operating regular roadshow events and managing global offices in Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Beijing, Seoul, Changsha, and Taipei.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DNA Fund Venture Capital Services Private venture capital investment services providing equity capital and corporate development support to early-stage startups in the TMT and Big Health sectors. Investors assist portfolio companies with capital injection, technical resources, and global networking beyond funding. The firm manages investment funds and connects startups with global CTOs and co-investors through regular roadshow events.
• CTO100 Visioning Conference Series Invite-only private roadshow conference series co-hosted by the CTO100 club, DNA Fund, and Plug and Play Tech Center, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and global CTOs for project demonstrations and technology networking. Up to 5 projects are featured per bi-weekly session with foreign investors and tech company CTOs in attendance.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Own. AppflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 September 2025Global strategic partnership announced during Korea Blockchain Week to promote mainstream adoption of crypto assets, decentralization, and blockchain infrastructure via social media and creator economy. Collaboration includes live streaming events, gamified engagement, and launch of $OWN Token as the creator fund.
• Plug and Play Tech CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based知名孵化器 (renowned incubator) that co-hosts CTO100创见会 series events with DNA Fund, providing access to technology startups and investment opportunities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Linear Venture: Beijing-based early-stage VC with cross-border China-US thesis and TMT focus, comparable in size and stage to DNA Fund.
• ZhenFund: Early-stage China-US VC backed by prominent angels with cross-border deal sourcing, directly comparable to DNA Fund's stage and global orientation.
• Qiming Venture Partners: China-focused VC with active healthcare/TMT verticals and international LP base, a comparable mid-sized platform player.
• GGV Capital: Cross-border China-US venture firm investing across TMT and consumer, with comparable global footprint and stage focus to DNA Fund.
• Matrix Partners China: Early-to-growth stage China-US VC with active Shanghai presence and TMT investment thesis, directly comparable in stage and geography.
• IDG Capital: One of the oldest China-rooted cross-border VCs with global offices and a TMT-heavy portfolio, overlapping DNA Fund's positioning.
• Ceyuan Ventures: Early-stage China-US VC founded by former Cyberworks executives with Shanghai roots, targeting internet and TMT sectors similar to DNA Fund.

Broad incumbents

• Shunwei Capital: Large China-focused TMT/consumer VC backed by Xiaomi's Lei Jun, a much larger incumbent operating in the same internet/TMT verticals DNA Fund targets.
• Sequoia Capital China (HongShan): Premier China-focused venture firm (now independent from Sequoia) with deep TMT exposure and global LP access, representing the scale ceiling DNA Fund competes against.

Others

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Silicon Valley-headquartered accelerator and investor; DNA Fund's existing co-host partner and a comparable ecosystem player in cross-border TMT deal flow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DNA Fund