INTRODUCTION
We believe China is entering a defining period for its creative economy. A new generation of cultural works, IP and creative companies is beginning to achieve genuine global relevance. At the same time, AI is transforming how content is created, scaled and monetized. The globalization of cultural value and the advancement of technological infrastructure are converging to create a structural investment opportunity.
Since 2014, the Bishan team has deployed over a billion RMB across the full cultural and media value chain, supporting founders through both capital and active post-investment engagement.
In film, we were angel investors in Guofan Pictures — founded by Frant Gwo, director of The Wandering Earth franchise — now China’s leading studio for industrial-scale filmmaking and sci-fi IP development.
In media technology, our portfolio company Baijiayun, a one-stop enterprise video service provider with proprietary audio and video technology, was listed on NASDAQ (ticker: RTC) in December 2022.
In gaming, our portfolio company Ti-Games developed F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch, one of the first Chinese-developed titles released for PlayStation 5. The game received strong reviews from international gaming media, including Metacritic 81, IGN 8/10, and Famitsu 33/40.
In consumer, we made an angel investment in IPStar, a leading Chinese developer and retailer of licensed IP merchandise. The company works with prominent properties including Genshin Impact, Detective Conan, and Cinnamoroll.
Looking ahead, Bishan will focus on opportunities at the intersection of culture and technology. Drawing on our deep industry expertise, investment capabilities and relationships cultivated over more than a decade, we partner with exceptional creators and entrepreneurs to build world-class companies.
MEET OUR TEAM
Alan Chen
Alan Chen is the founder and Managing Partner of Bishan Capital. Prior to founding Bishan, Mr. Chen was a Partner at Houde Qianhai Fund, a leading investment firm in China’s media and entertainment industry, where he led the fund’s venture capital arm. Mr. Chen has more than 20 years of experience across investment, strategy, consumer brands, and entrepreneurship. His career includes roles at Shanda Capital, McKinsey & Company, Nestle, Mars, and Xueda Education (NYSE XUE).
Mr. Chen holds a BA in Economics from the University of International Business and Economics, an MBA from Yale University, and an EMBA from Tsinghua University.
Cao Shuzheng
Mr. Cao Shuzheng is a Managing Director of Bishan Capital. Previously, he was an investment director at Houde Qianhai Fund and a product manager at Blue Whale Media. Mr. Cao holds a bachelor’s degree in Microelectronics from Tsinghua University and a master's degree in Public Administration from Tsinghua University.
Outside of work, Shuzheng loves online literature, e-sports, and trying out new indie games. He is also a big fan of film director Makoto Shinkai, with whom he has met face-to-face.
OUR PORTFOLIO
FOUNDERS WORDS
"Alan was our first investor, backing Guo Fan Film in its earliest days. We share not only a passion for great content but also a vision to build China’s premier science-fiction film and television industry. "
--Fan Guo, director of The Wandering Earth movie franchise
"IPSTAR, the specialty retail chain for anime merchandise, was an idea that Alan and I brainstormed together, and he invested millions in the angel round. Before 2018, anime merchandise (or 'goods,' as fans call it) was only available at comic conventions—there were no other offline retail options. Back then, we thought: why can’t these goods be sold in shopping malls? Inspired by Japan’s Animate, we launched the first IPSTAR store alongside a Detective Conan café in Shanghai’s Jing’an Joy City. It was an instant hit."
--Weicheng Wu, Founder and CEO of IPSTAR
"Bishan Team, Tao Meng's Series A lead investor, has stood by us side by side for seven years, providing critical strategic and operational support. They have gone above and beyond, leveraging their extensive film and television industry resources to empower Tao Meng's growth."
--Chao Yin, CEO of Tao Meng
"Alan approached us shortly after Ti-Games secured angel investment, drawn by our shared optimism about VR. When the industry hit a development bottleneck, he backed our pivot to console games and provided substantial support—both strategic and promotional—for F.I.S.T."
--Tao Zhang, CEO of Ti-Games