Brewer Stone: China Tech

How concerned should Americans be with Chinese investment in US tech companies?

Over the past few years China-based firms have invested in more than a hundred US-based tech deals. These deals focus on the cutting edge of tech, investing in artificial intelligence, 3d printing, facial recognition and military software. Needless to say, this has some US policy makers nervous. China has already surpassed the United States in next generation tech categories like ecommerce and mobility. Rather than playing catch-up, China is banking on its ability to break through to the next level of tech innovation. This shouldn't come as a surprise, Made in China 2025 is a government sanctioned policy initiative with the goal of keeping China in front as the world's leading manufacturing center. Identifying and acquiring technologies to advance its cause is a central tenet of Made in China 2025.

My guest this episode is Brewer Stone, Partner at Nfluence Partners. Brewer works with emerging technology companies and their venture capital and private equity investors. Brewer points out Chinese investors are making different kinds of investments and assuming new levels of risk to achieve their objectives.