Formation 8 is an interesting experiment. The venture firm has deep connections in Silicon Valley and Asia, which it hopes can give it an edge over others racing to cash in on the tech boom in both locales.
Business in the Valley and Asia is a relationship game. U.S. venture investors rely on elite networks to gather intel and insights, and to connect with promising entrepreneurs. Personal ties fuel deals in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul. The Chinese term business term guanxitranslates roughly into “influence that grows from contacts.” South Korea’s most powerful companies are chaebols, family-run conglomerates like Samsung and LG.
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