ChinaVest
ChinaVest is a Shanghai-headquartered cross-border merchant bank founded in 1981 that provides M&A and strategic advisory services to multinational corporations and Chinese enterprises across Greater China, the U.S., and Hong Kong.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ChinaVest does
ChinaVest (legally 中创企业管理咨询（上海）有限公司) is a Shanghai-headquartered cross-border merchant bank founded in 1981 as the first foreign institutional venture capital fund in China. From 1981 to 2004 the firm established and managed five private equity funds that deployed approximately US$500 million into more than 60 companies across manufacturing, logistics, food and beverage, and information technology in Greater China. In 2004 the firm pivoted away from direct investing into a merchant banking model delivering cross-border M&A and strategic advisory for multinational corporations and Chinese enterprises.
The firm delivers two core service lines: Strategic Advisory (corporate structure review, industry assessment, brand building, route to market, competitive positioning, and regulatory navigation) and Financial / M&A Advisory (target identification, investor search, due diligence and valuation, regulatory approval support, transaction execution, and post-merger integration). Deal execution is supported by an internal Research Team. Offices span Shanghai (headquarters), Beijing, Hong Kong, and San Francisco, enabling both inbound (multinationals into China) and outbound (Chinese acquirers into the U.S.) deal flow. Headcount is stated at 11-50 employees.
The firm monetizes through professional services fees: advisory retainers and M&A success fees tied to transaction closings, with client engagement led by senior Executive Committee members. Its disclosed client roster spans approximately 28 named multinational and Chinese enterprises across consumer and retail (Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Danone, Heinz, Heineken, Wendy's, Suning), TMT (IBM, Asia Info), financial services (AIG, Chubb, Wells Fargo, Fosun, HNA), industrials (Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, XCMG, John Deere, ITW, Brinks), and logistics (Santa Fe Transport, Singamas, Chic Logistics, Igloo). ChinaVest is privately held with no disclosed parent company, funding rounds, or ownership changes.
ChinaVest firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ChinaVest
- Legal name
- 中创企业管理咨询（上海）有限公司
- Website
- https://chinavest.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ChinaVest is a Shanghai-headquartered cross-border merchant bank founded in 1981 that provides M&A and strategic advisory services to multinational corporations and Chinese enterprises across Greater China, the U.S., and Hong Kong.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ChinaVest industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cross-Border M&A Advisory
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)
- SIC
- Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transaction Services (Financial, Tax & Commercial Due Diligence) (BPAHAOAB)
Keywords
Where ChinaVest is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
ChinaVest business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Strategic Advisory Services: Strategic consulting services including corporate structure review, industry assessment, brand building analysis, route to market planning, competitive positioning analysis, and regulatory advisory. Revenue generated through professional service fees for advisory engagements.
- Financial Advisory / M&A Services: Cross-border M&A advisory including target identification, investor search, due diligence and valuation analysis, regulatory approval support, transaction execution, and post-merger advisory. Revenue generated through success fees and advisory retainers for M&A transactions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
ChinaVest product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ChinaVest is a cross-border merchant bank providing strategic advisory and financial/M&A advisory services to multinational and Chinese enterprises. Services cover the full transaction lifecycle including target identification, investor search, due diligence, valuation, regulatory approval, transaction execution, and post-merger integration, with deep expertise in navigating China's regulatory environment.
Product overview
ChinaVest is a consulting firm offering a unified suite of advisory services centered on cross-border M&A and strategic consulting for Greater China. The core offerings are Strategic Advisory (market entry, brand building, competitive analysis, regulatory advisory) and Financial/M&A Advisory (target identification, due diligence, transaction execution, post-merger integration), supported by an internal Research Team that provides analytical backing for deal execution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Strategic Advisory Customized strategic advisory services providing actionable recommendations and solutions for enterprise clients across all phases of the company lifecycle, including corporate structure review, market entry strategy, brand building, and competitive positioning analysis.
- Financial Advisory / M&A Advisory Cross-border M&A advisory services enabling companies to undertake China inbound or outbound investment from both buy-side and sell-side perspectives, including strategic planning, target identification, due diligence, valuation, regulatory approval support, transaction execution, and post-merger advisory.
Quantifiable outcome
- US$500 million invested in more than 60 companies in Greater China
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ChinaVest
Customer profileNamed customers28 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ChinaVest technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ChinaVest partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ChinaVest competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lazard: Lazard is a global financial advisory and asset management firm with a long-standing China practice. Like ChinaVest, it serves multinationals and Chinese enterprises on cross-border M&A and strategic advisory, but Lazard operates at materially larger scale and broader service breadth.
- Rothschild & Co: Rothschild is an elite global M&A advisory house with deep Franco-Asian cross-border expertise. Piers Higson Smith (a ChinaVest professional) was previously at Rothschild, highlighting direct heritage overlap and a shared focus on mid-to-large cross-border M&A mandates.
- Houlihan Lokey: Houlihan Lokey is a global investment bank focused on M&A, capital markets, and financial restructuring with significant Asia-Pacific presence. It overlaps with ChinaVest's mid-to-large-cap M&A advisory and strategic consulting for multinational and Asian clients.
- Moelis & Company: Moelis is a global independent investment bank providing M&A, restructuring, and strategic advisory services, with an active Asia-Pacific practice. It is comparable to ChinaVest as a senior-led advisory franchise targeting cross-border and mid-to-large-cap engagements.
- Perella Weinberg Partners: Perella Weinberg is an independent global advisory firm offering M&A and capital markets advisory. It overlaps with ChinaVest in providing senior-led cross-border advisory, particularly for financial services and multinational clients.
- JEFFERIES (Jefferies International / Asia): Jefferies is a global investment bank with an established Asia-Pacific advisory practice. It overlaps with ChinaVest in serving middle-market and large multinationals on cross-border M&A, particularly between the U.S. and Asia.
Direct peers
- Lincoln International: Lincoln International is a global mid-market M&A advisory firm with a strong Asia practice. It is closely comparable to ChinaVest in serving as a specialist cross-border advisor for middle-market and large-cap clients on both buy-side and sell-side transactions.
Regional players
- CICC (China International Capital Corporation): CICC is a leading Chinese investment bank providing M&A advisory, equity underwriting, and fixed income services, with growing global reach. It is a direct local-region competitor to ChinaVest for China-rooted cross-border M&A mandates.
- CITIC Securities International: CITIC Securities International is the offshore arm of a major Chinese securities firm offering cross-border M&A and capital markets advisory. It is comparable to ChinaVest as a Chinese-rooted advisor serving cross-border and outbound mandates.
- China Merchants Securities International: China Merchants Securities International is the offshore arm of a major mainland Chinese brokerage, offering cross-border advisory and capital raising. Comparable to ChinaVest for advisory mandates on inbound and outbound China deals, with stronger Chinese institutional backing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ChinaVest social profiles
Digital presenceChinaVest financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ChinaVest leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
ChinaVest funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ChinaVest M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ChinaVest
What does ChinaVest do?
ChinaVest is a cross-border merchant bank providing strategic advisory and financial/M&A advisory services to multinational and Chinese enterprises. Services cover the full transaction lifecycle including target identification, investor search, due diligence, valuation, regulatory approval, transaction execution, and post-merger integration, with deep expertise in navigating China's regulatory environment.
Is ChinaVest a public or private company?
ChinaVest is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ChinaVest founded?
ChinaVest was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ChinaVest based?
ChinaVest is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does ChinaVest make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Strategic Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are financial Advisory / M&A Services.
Who are ChinaVest's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lazard, Rothschild & Co, Houlihan Lokey, Moelis & Company, Perella Weinberg Partners and JEFFERIES (Jefferies International / Asia). Lincoln International is listed as a direct peer. Regional players are CICC (China International Capital Corporation), CITIC Securities International and China Merchants Securities International.
Does ChinaVest have an API?
No public API is recorded for ChinaVest.
What industry is ChinaVest in?
ChinaVest's product category is Cross-Border M&A Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAOAB, Transaction Services (Financial, Tax & Commercial Due Diligence). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6211.