In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank sits down with Lu Zhang, the Founder and Managing Partner of Silicon Valley–based, Fusion Fund. They discuss Lu’s journey from growing up in Inner Mongolia, to launching her first venture fund in her early twenties.
Lu also shares her perspective on what’s currently shaping innovation and venture capital, and explains why she believes AI is reshaping healthcare, space tech and the global economy.
Featured Voices
Host: Manisha Tank
Guest: Lu Zhang, Founder & Managing Partner, Fusion Fund
Key takeaways
- Lu believes curiosity is key to success and often matters more than age, credentials, or background.
- She feels Silicon Valley remains a global tech leader due to its unique combination of talent, capital, and appetite for risk.
- Lu notes that the next phase of AI will focus on practicality, with systems that are cheaper, more efficient, privacy-conscious, and ready for real-world use.
- In her opinion, AI has the potential to transform both healthcare and space tech.
- According to Lu, leaning into the unknown during periods of uncertainty and change can lead to the biggest rewards.
Chapter heads
00:00 - The AI Moment
Manisha introduces Lu and sets the scene on why AI investment, innovation, and global attention are accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
01:59 - Roots of Curiosity
Lu reflects on her upbringing, early imagination, and how her background shaped her appetite for innovation.
05:08 - From Technologist to Entrepreneur
She talks about how a passion for deep tech led her to launch, scale, and exit her first company in her early twenties.
06:38 - Building Fusion Fund
Lu shares her journey from starting a venture fund and earning credibility, to scaling up from being a solo GP to a global platform.
10:57 - Why Silicon Valley Still Wins
She takes a candid look at what makes Silicon Valley’s ecosystem uniquely powerful for startups, investors, and exits.
15:30 - Inside the AI Investment Boom
Lu talks about capital flooding into AI and causing expectations to rise across the market.
16:40 - AI in Healthcare: Personalised and Preventative
Lu discusses how AI is transforming diagnostics, digital therapeutics, and the future of treatment.
18:05 - Who Owns Your Data?
Lu and Manisha talk about the hidden cost of AI tools and why data ownership and privacy will redefine business models.
19:15 - Space Tech Meets AI
Lu believes falling launch costs, satellite data, and AI-powered space technology could reshape life on Earth.
21:35 - What Comes Next
She touches on navigating bubbles, uncertainty, and opportunity and shares her advice for young innovators trying to define their future.
Useful links
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/carbon-nanotube
https://www.britannica.com/place/Inner-Mongolia
https://www.nvidia.com/en-gb/startups
Coldplay’s “Adventure Of A Lifetime”
Don’t miss out
We’re on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email:
tanktalksasia@asiaworks.com
And don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia.
Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.
