Seminar Overview
In the Seminar on May 28th, we had the privilege of welcoming two distinguished professionals: Dr Xiaoran (Rex) Li from the corporate venture capital and life science strategy sectors and Dr Daisong Zhang, an expert in corporate development, M&A, and technology strategy. During the session, they shared their firsthand experiences in transitioning from engineering research to high-level investment and corporate decision-making, offering diversity and valuable perspectives on the current landscape of modern engineering careers— especially in corporate venture investment and strategic product initiatives.
Speaker Profile
Dr. Xiaoran (Rex) Li
Director of Venture Capital at Proya
Background
Dr. Li is Director of Venture Capital at Proya, China’s leading cosmetics group, leading investments in new business verticals and breakthrough technologies. His prior experience spans USDVC in China, life science strategy consulting in the US, and founding a medical device startup.
Dr. Daisong Zhang
Head of corporate development at Monolithic Power Systems (NAS: MPWR)
Background
Dr. Zhang is the head of corporate development at Monolithic Power Systems, responsible for the corporate venture investment, acquisition and strategic product initiatives. Prior to MPS, he was a strategy consultant at Mckinsey &Company Silicon Valley office advising technology companies. He started his career as an antenna system design engineer at Apple after graduation.
Seminar Highlights
During the session, Dr. Xiaoran Li and Dr. Daisong Zhang shared invaluable insights into career development, pursuing advanced degrees, and the realities of corporate venture investment. Here are the key takeaways:
The True Value of a PhD: Both speakers emphasized the intense dedication required for a PhD, noting that while it is not necessary for everyone, it is precious for forging a critical mindset. Dr. Li shared that his PhD gave him the belief that he could solve untapped questions and helped him better understand himself through the challenging process.
Discovering Your Calling: When discussing career planning, the advice was to explore different paths to find true passion. Dr. Zhang highlighted the importance of finding a calling that excites you so much you would do it for free, while Dr. Li reminded students that building a career is a marathon where early failures are just part of the learning process.
Entrepreneurship and Building Connections: Addressing questions about starting a business and collaborating, Dr. Li noted that finding the right partner is an art that requires a foundation of trust. Additionally, Dr. Zhang encouraged students to overcome the fear of failure by giving themselves a small nudge to take action, recognizing that every professional relationship starts with simply reaching out.
Voices From The Audience
“What struck me most was Dr. Li’s insight on strategic fit versus financial returns, and Dr. Zhang’s journey from antenna design to corporate strategy. It made me realize that the theories we learn in university are just the foundation. True clarity in any industry comes only after accounting for practical experience.” ——Aldrian Reis Louwren
“Watching Dr. Li go from a biomechanics lab to leading VC deals in beauty tech, and Dr. Zhang from designing antennas at Apple to shaping M&A strategy — it hit me. A PhD isn’t about staying in academia. It’s about earning the right to solve harder problems, the ones that actually matter to people.” ——Youyou Lu
Author: Siyuan Chen 陈思远
Photographer: Aldrian Reis Louwren
Acknowledgment: Nuttawat Pinchumpholsang
