
Northern Light Venture Capital
Description
Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC) is a prominent venture capital firm based in Beijing, China, established in 2005. The firm has carved out a significant niche in the Chinese venture landscape, primarily focusing on early- and growth-stage investments across a diverse range of sectors. NLVC targets companies in technology, media, telecommunications (TMT), consumer services, healthcare, and advanced technologies, demonstrating a broad yet strategic investment mandate aimed at disruptive innovations and market leaders.
NLVC's investment philosophy emphasizes identifying and nurturing companies with strong management teams, innovative business models, and significant market potential. Over its nearly two-decade history, the firm has built an impressive portfolio, including several high-profile successes and unicorns. Notable investments include early backing of giants like Meituan-Dianping and ByteDance, which have grown to become dominant forces in their respective industries. Their strategic support often extends beyond capital, providing operational guidance and industry connections to their portfolio companies.
The firm manages multiple funds, with substantial capital under management. For instance, NLVC successfully closed its sixth USD fund at $1.2 billion and a new RMB fund at 3.5 billion yuan in 2021, underscoring its robust financial capacity and continued commitment to the Chinese market. These significant fund sizes enable NLVC to deploy substantial capital, with typical first check sizes ranging from approximately $5 million for promising early-stage ventures to potentially $40 million or more for growth-stage companies requiring larger capital injections. This flexibility allows them to engage with companies across various stages of development, from Series A to later growth rounds.
NLVC's consistent track record of identifying and scaling successful enterprises has solidified its reputation as a leading venture capital player in China. Its deep understanding of the local market dynamics, combined with a global perspective, positions it as a preferred partner for ambitious entrepreneurs seeking to revolutionize their industries.
Investor Profile
Northern Light Venture Capital has backed more than 109 startups, with 3 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 23 rounds, about 21% of its total and boasts 51 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in China, United States, Singapore.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, Internet.
- Led 2 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $5M – $40M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (25%)
- Series B (23%)
- Series C (20%)
- Series D (11%)
- Seed (10%)
- Series Unknown (6%)
- Post Ipo Equity (2%)
- Angel (2%)
- Series E (1%)
Country Focus
- China (55%)
- United States (36%)
- Singapore (5%)
- South Korea (3%)
- South Africa (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Information Technology
- Internet
- Manufacturing
- Mobile
- Health Care
- Semiconductor
- E-commerce
- Biotechnology
- Security
Frequently Asked Questions
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