Menglu joined GIC’s Private Equity (PE) department in 2018 as an Associate at the Technology Investment Group (TIG) where she finds and invests in category-leading technology companies by partnering with the best venture capital firms and forging long-term financial and strategic relationships with global technology partners.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
Before joining GIC, I was a second-year analyst with an investment bank. I was looking for a buy-side PE role focusing on tech growth investment at the time. Even though my college major was completely unrelated to science, I’ve always had a strong passion for technology. Therefore, I felt excited when a headhunter contacted me about TIG’s associate position in Beijing.
I chose to join GIC because I hoped to receive systematic training in a reputable institution, and more specifically, because I believed I would have a lot of exposure in TIG. We have a flexible mandate to invest across the life cycle of category-leading technology companies – from early-stage to post-IPO – and partner with the best venture capital firms in the world.
What does your typical workday look like?
There is no typical workday as every day is brand new to me. We often meet with new companies, talk to new people, come up with new ideas, and handle new challenges.
What do you like most about working here?
I appreciate the culture of nurturing personal growth. We are encouraged to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones in all aspects of our work. You may feel stressed and uncomfortable at first, but you will quickly adjust and achieve results that exceed your expectations. That is how GIC invests in people to realise their full potential. And I believe that this culture is a solid foundation for unleashing creativity, taking risks, and working together as a team.
GIC values diversity: my team is based in San Francisco, Beijing, and Mumbai with a fair female representation. We work well as a team, and we are welcome to share different insights from a global perspective.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
I experienced a steep learning curve through ‘on-the-job’ training. Since joining GIC, I’ve had the honour of working alongside a group of brilliant people who lead by example, and I’ve learned a lot from my daily interactions with them. In addition, through GIC’s extensive network within the PE ecosystem, I became acquainted with other investors.
GIC provides me with a great platform for personal growth. My team encourages everyone to advance, and a “25-year-old” might be tasked to do the work of a “30-year-old”. I expected to take on more execution roles, but now I find myself spending most of my time thinking, talking to people, and making deals. I feel like everyone else around me is empowered and encouraged to act at higher levels.
What you should know before joining GIC
Being open-minded is important at GIC. The business environment is constantly evolving, and we need to embrace changes all the time. Get used to being uncomfortable. Remember to speak with GIC staff to learn more about our corporate values, culture, learning curve, and career opportunities.