Claude Leglise Joins WI Harper Group as Managing Director; Experienced Executive Enhances Venture Capital Firm's Trans-Pacific Competitive Edge.SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden -- The WI Harper Group, one of the first US-based venture capital firms Name Location Founding date Managing Partners/Directors Specialty Capital managed 5AM Ventures Menlo Park, CA; Waltham, MA 2002 John Diekman, PhD (managing partner), Scott Rocklage, PhD (managing partner), Andrew Schwab (managing partner) life sciences $200M [1] to create a value-added bridge between the U.S. and Greater China, announced today that Claude Leglise, former head of Intel Capital, has joined the firm as managing director. Mr. Leglise will head WI Harper's San Francisco office and will be a member of its investment committee. WI Harper currently manages just under US $300 million from its headquarters in San Francisco, its offices in Beijing and Taipei, and its joint venture operation in Singapore. WI Harper's portfolio includes over 90 companies in high-growth areas of information technology and life sciences. "Claude's unique combination of global venture investing venture investing The acquiring of a stake in a start-up company by a brokerage firm or analyst by obtaining discounted, pre-IPO shares. Critics claim venture investing causes analysts to have a vested interest in seeing a stock appreciate in value and so expertise, extensive industry contacts and technical savvy adds tremendous strength to our organization," said Peter Liu, chairman and co-founder, WI Harper Group. "We are fortunate to have his unique perspective on business challenges and opportunities in the U.S. and Asia." Mr. Leglise was most recently vice president of Intel Capital, where he was responsible for over 150 equity investments in 25 countries. He started his Intel career in 1982 with the Microprocessor Division's marketing team, where he launched Intel's first 32-bit microprocessor, the 386, and pioneered the branding of microprocessors. Over the course of his tenure at Intel, Mr. Leglise spent twelve years in general management positions. He led the design and marketing of the world's first million-transistor microprocessor, the i860, started Intel's Developer Relations Group to work closely with the software industry, and served as VP of the Home Products Group, where he built a $125 million consumer business. "I decided to join WI Harper because, of all the options before me, I found WI Harper to be best positioned to capitalize on Cap´i`tal`ize on` v. t. 1. To turn (an opportunity) to one's advantage; to take advantage of (a situation); to profit from; as, to capitalize on an opponent's mistakes s>. the tremendous venture investment opportunities in China. The Harper team has access to deal flow, a strong presence on the ground, where it matters, and a nuanced understanding of the Chinese business environment," said Mr. Leglise. "I resonate res·o·nate v. res·o·nat·ed, res·o·nat·ing, res·o·nates v.intr. 1. To exhibit or produce resonance or resonant effects. 2. particularly with WI Harper's approach to investing in plays that tap into the growing China consumer market," he added, "and I am impressed by the firm's unique trans-Pacific investment platform -- which I believe is well suited to fund and nurture new companies." Mr. Leglise will be based in San Francisco and will work closely with WI Harper Group personnel in Beijing and Taipei to make investments in start-up companies in Greater China. A native of France, Mr. Leglise received a masters degree in Electrical Engineering electrical engineering: see engineering. electrical engineering Branch of engineering concerned with the practical applications of electricity in all its forms, including those of electronics. from Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Arts et Metiers, in Paris, France, and an MBA MBA abbr. Master of Business Administration Noun 1. MBA - a master's degree in business Master in Business, Master in Business Administration from Stanford University Stanford University, at Stanford, Calif.; coeducational; chartered 1885, opened 1891 as Leland Stanford Junior Univ. (still the legal name). The original campus was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. David Starr Jordan was its first president. in Palo Alto, California “Palo Alto” redirects here. For other uses, see Palo Alto (disambiguation). Palo Alto (IPA: /ˌpæloʊˈʔæltoʊ/, from Spanish: palo: "stick" and alto: "high", i.e. . ABOUT WI HARPER GROUP WI Harper Group has been active in early-stage venture investments in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Greater China for a decade. Through its unique cross-border platform and proactive management style, the Group strives to add value to its portfolio companies with the ultimate objective of maximizing return to its shareholders. Peter Liu, WI Harper's chairman and co-founder, helped give birth to the Asian venture capital community in 1985, along with Dr. K.T. Lee, then Finance Minister of Taiwan. Mr. Liu was a co-founder of Walden International prior to founding WI Harper in 1993. WI Harper Group currently manages just under US $300 million from its headquarters in San Francisco and offices in Beijing, Taipei and Singapore (JV). The firm's portfolio includes over 90 companies in high-growth areas of information technology and life sciences. For more information please visit www.wiharpergroup.com. WI Harper is a registered trademark of WI Harper Group. |
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