Adjunct Associate Professor
Marvin LAI
Adjunct Associate Professor
marvlai@ust.hk
Marvin LAI

Academic qualifications

  • EMBA,INSEAD and Tsinghua SEM
  • M.Sc. EE, Johns Hopkins University
  • M.Sc. FinMgt, University of London
  • M.A., Macquarie University MGSM
  • B.Sc. EE, Columbia University

Teaching Interests

  • Venture Capital and Private Equity
  • Advanced Venture Capital Investing
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructuring

Publication

Prof.LAI is an author of various VC/PE investment papers including “The Determinants of Successful Fundraising in Distressed Times for Venture Capital / Private Equity Funds in China” (2009) and “Venture Capitalist Screening Criteria and Associated Tools: Progressive Screening Matrix & Mean IRR” (2011). He is also a regular contributor to China Venture Capitalist Confidence Index (Bloomberg ticker symbol: CVCCI).

Industry Experience

Prof. Marvin LAI is Managing Partner of iTM Ventures Inc, in association with Burgeon Group Consulting Ltd., and Executive Director (2011-2017) of Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA).

Prof.LAI has over 30 years of experience in financial services (VC&PE), technologies, and consumer sectors. He oversees iTM-Burgeon’s principal investment and management consulting businesses and advises several advisory and multi-family funds as well as teaches postgraduate VCPE and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) related courses in various universities. Prior to iTM-Burgeon, he was Chief Investment Officer of Cyberport Macro Fund where he headed the development and investments of the Fund as well as the cultivation of its investors network. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Partner of ES Capital (now OES Capital) and Senior Advisor of LionRock Capital (HK) where he spearheaded ES Capital’s Asian Principal Investments and private placement opportunities as well as LionRock’s origination and strategic investments. He began his career at IBM and AT&T Bell Laboratories.

Prof.LAI is Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors (FHKIoD), Professional Manager (PMgr) designated by HKMA, Member of Hong Kong Securities and Investments Institute (MHKSI), Chairman of Venture Committee (2008-2016) of HKVCA, Member of HKTDC Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee (2010-2014), Founding member and Director of the Board of Hong Kong Business Angel Network (HKBAN), Founding member of Cyberport Investors Network, President of Columbia University Hong Kong Alumni Association (2006-2008) and INSEAD Hong Kong Alumni Association (2012-2014), Assistant Governor (2013-2014) of Rotary International District 3450, and a Full Member of Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Research Interests

  • Venture Capital & Private Equity
  • Entrepreneurial Financing
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Corporate Valuation
  • Portfolio & Asset Management
  • Quantitative Equity Investments
  • Algorithm Trading & Robo-Advisors
  • Fintech and AI applications