# Vanessa Gao

> Vanessa Xinxin Gao is CEO and co-founder of Jiangmen Ventures, established in 2015 to invest in and support early-stage technology companies. Previously a leader of Microsoft Ventures and its China accelerator, she connects AI research communities, corporate innovation work, and startup investment. She is a Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA alumna and an advisor to the INSEAD AI Venture Lab.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-Founder at Jiangmen Ventures
- **Organizations:** Jiangmen Ventures (将门创投), Microsoft (former), INSEAD AI Venture Lab (advisor)
- **Education:** Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA), Tsinghua University and INSEAD
- **Known for:** Co-founded Jiangmen Ventures in 2015., Recipient of the INSEAD Diamond Salamander Award, according to the Aspen Institute biography., Led Microsoft’s China venture accelerator before founding Jiangmen.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2015** — Worked at Microsoft for 16 years, including leadership of its Ventures accelerator in China.
- **2014** — Identified in Microsoft’s July announcement as CEO in Residence of Microsoft Ventures Accelerator Greater China.
- **2015** — Co-founded Jiangmen Ventures.
- **2023** — Moderated a panel of Microsoft alumni entrepreneurs at Connect 2023 in Redmond.
- **2025** — Announced as a guide for the INSEAD AI Venture Lab AI Founder Sprint and a moderator at Microsoft Alumni Network Connect 2025.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Jiangmen Ventures in 2015.
- Recipient of the INSEAD Diamond Salamander Award, according to the Aspen Institute biography.
- Led Microsoft’s China venture accelerator before founding Jiangmen.

## Latest updates

- **2025-07** — INSEAD AI Venture Lab announced Gao would guide founders in the AI Founder Sprint 2025.
- **2025-09** — Advertised as moderator of Startup Mavericks: New Ventures, Bold Ideas at Microsoft Alumni Network Connect 2025.

## Links

- Website: https://thejiangmen.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-xinxin-gao-9606894

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/vanessa-gao
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09