Renmin University of China has become an LP

According to investment industry sources, recently, Shenzhen Zhongtou No.1 Major Industry Ecosystem Development Private Equity Investment Fund Partnership (Limited Partnership) was established. The China Renmin University Education Foundation surprisingly appeared among the partners.

In other words, Renmin University of China has become an LP.

This scene is quite surprising: in the era of technological explosion, more and more universities are starting to enter the venture capital circle and engage in cutting - edge technologies and emerging industries. Quietly, a university legion has risen in the venture capital circle.

Super fund lands in Shenzhen, Renmin University of China makes an appearance

Business registration information reveals more details.

Qichacha shows that the registered scale of Shenzhen Zhongtou No.1 Major Industry Ecosystem Development Private Equity Investment Fund Partnership (Limited Partnership) is 3.94 billion yuan. The general partners are Agricultural Bank of China Capital Management Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Zhongtou Capital Management Co., Ltd.

Among them, Renmin University of China appears as an LP - the Beijing Renmin University of China Education Foundation subscribed to contribute 20 million yuan in the fund.

Established in 2004, the foundation is a non - public offering foundation approved and registered by the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau. It serves the construction of Renmin University of China by raising, accepting and managing donation funds. The main donors include Beijing Jingdong Public Welfare Foundation, Zhuhai Hillhouse Equity Investment Management Co., Ltd., Chongyang Group Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Runfu Investment Development Co., Ltd... Tracing back, these donors are basically related to Renmin University of China.

According to its annual audit report, as of December 31, 2025, the foundation had approximately 850 million yuan in current assets.

The foundation's long - term investments include long - term equity investments, with an amount of approximately 160 million yuan. Information shows that this part of the equity was voluntarily and gratuitously donated by Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Ye Chenghai, the founder of Salubris, is an undergraduate alumnus of the Department of International Politics, Class of 1963, Renmin University of China.

This is not the first time the foundation has dealt with the primary market. According to the foundation's 2025 annual work report, from May 20, 2025, to May 19, 2040, the foundation entrusted 20 million yuan to Beijing Yuanfeng Private Equity Fund Management Partnership (Limited Partnership) for investment. In addition, Shanghai Chongyang Investment Management Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Ridou Investment Management Co., Ltd., Shanghai Kuande Private Equity Fund Management Center (Limited Partnership) and other companies are also the investees of the foundation.

What's the background of the fund invested by Renmin University of China this time? The fund is located in Shenzhen Qianhai. Other LPs of the fund include ABC Financial Asset Investment Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Zhongtou Group, Qianhai Financial Holdings, Qianhai Science and Technology Innovation Group, Foshan Financial Holdings, Ningbo Financial Holdings, etc. It brings together AIC funds, state - owned assets from Shenzhen, Foshan, and Ningbo, as well as universities, presenting a luxurious lineup.

Universities enter the venture capital circle

Chinese universities are getting closer to the venture capital circle.

When it comes to the representative of universities acting as LPs, many people's first reaction is Tsinghua University. Similar to Renmin University of China's role as an LP this time, the Tsinghua University Education Foundation is also the main vehicle for its external investment. Established in 1994, the Tsinghua University Education Foundation is the earliest officially registered university education foundation after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Currently, the Tsinghua University Education Foundation has invested as an LP in many investment institutions, including CPE Yuanfeng, CDH Investments, Inno Angel Fund, Tsinghua Holdings Ginkgo, Yuandu Venture Capital, Zero2IPO Fund of Funds, Hillhouse, etc., writing a history of Tsinghua in the venture capital circle.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University is also very active. As early as December 2021, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Future Fund of Funds was launched, with an expected initial scale of 1 billion yuan. In April this year, the second phase of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Future Industry Fund of Funds was officially launched, and the total scale has further expanded to 2 billion yuan, providing support for the scientific and technological achievements of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the innovation and entrepreneurship of its alumni.

Of course, it's far from just these. Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, South China University of Technology, Central South University, Tianjin University... It can be seen that universities are appearing more and more frequently in the venture capital circle.

This is a unique scenery in the era of technology - scientific and technological achievements nurtured by universities evolve into entrepreneurial ideas and lead to successful businesses; many years later, alumni donations become an important source of funds for universities; now, universities are taking this money and investing it in the primary market to support more technological innovation, especially alumni projects.

With the technological explosion, China is entering an era of high - education entrepreneurship. Companies such as Zhipu and Cambricon have brought real - money returns to their alma maters that have accompanied them for many years.

Plant a single grain in spring, and reap ten thousand grains in autumn. For these universities, through investment, they can not only support their teachers and students to implement projects but also make the school's funds circulate better and truly enjoy the fruits of this harvest.

The torch is passed on from generation to generation, and the cause will never end.

This article is from the WeChat official account “Investment World” (ID: pedaily2012), written by Wu Qiong and published by 36Kr with authorization.