John Zhao - Variety500 - Top 500 Entertainment Business Leaders
Zhao spent his early career at Silicon Valley firms Vadem and Infolio, before transforming himself into one of China’s private equity pioneers. He heads Hony Capital for Legend Group-backed tech firms including Lenovo (buyer of IBM’s PC business) and was a key conduit between Wall Street and Chinese state-controlled enterprises. He frequently boasts China has the top digital infrastructure in the world and is vocal about viewing AI as a priority. But Zhao may regret diversification from tech into the wider digital economy. Investments in bike share firm Ofo, WeWork and restaurant chain Pizza Express were all cratering even before COVID-19. His film and TV investments have included China’s Linmon Pictures, Korean VFX player Dexter and Hollywood’s STX Entertainment.
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