# BBVA invests $50 million in Kai-Fu Lee’s Al investment fund Sinovation Fund IV Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2018-04-18 Category: NEWS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news Meta Title: BBVA invests in Chinese AI with $50m in Sinovation Fund IV Meta Description: Discover how BBVA's investment in China's leading venture capital fund can provide strategic insights into AI innovations and high returns. URL: https://financedigest.com/bbva-invests-50-million-in-kai-fu-lees-al-investment-fund-sinovation-fund-ivhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/fd180418-1-1-1736842833338-compressed.jpg) **_BBVA to invest $50 million into Sinovation Fund IV, a Chinese venture capital fund run by Sinovation Ventures and led by Dr. Kai-Fu Lee_** Dr. Kai-Fu Lee is the former president of Google China and one of the most recognised global experts in AI. The fund has about $500 million to invest in firms at the early stages in areas such as internet consumption, B2B, education but with a special focus on [artificial intelligence](https://www.financedigest.com/types-of-artificial-intelligence.html "artificial intelligence") (AI). With AI-empowered-banking tools likely to be a key differentiator for customers in the future, as well as critical to providing colleagues with the information they need to deliver improved customer value, the investment will give BBVA insight and [access to the growing Chinese innovation market](https://www.financedigest.com/the-npwt-suction-pads-market-to-grow-on-an-effective-and-accessible-note-backed-by-innovation.html "The Npwt Suction Pads Market to grow on an effective and accessible note backed by innovation"), especially around AI. Likewise, from a financial perspective, it will also give BBVA the [opportunity to understand and potentially co-invest into Chinese AI technological](https://www.financedigest.com/computer-assisted-anesthesia-systems-market-industry-analysis-opportunities-technology-demand-top-players-and-growth-forecast-2027.html "Computer Assisted Anesthesia Systems Market Industry Analysis, Opportunities, Technology, Demand, Top Players and Growth Forecast 2027") startups, gaining exposure to the world’s fastest growing tech market while targeting attractive returns on investment. Commenting on the investment, BBVA´s [Chief Executive Officer](https://www.financedigest.com/future-market-insights-appoints-aditi-basu-as-chief-marketing-officer.html "Future Market Insights Appoints Aditi Basu as Chief Marketing Officer") Carlos Torres Vila said: “By investing into the Sinovation Fund IV, we are ensuring we can learn from and build connections with some of the most promising AI solutions being built anywhere on the planet. Just as importantly, we can do it via a high-performing [investment platform with a strong](https://www.financedigest.com/halfway-through-2021-what-can-you-do-now-to-finish-the-2021-investment-year-strong.html "Halfway through 2021, what can you do now to finish the 2021 investment year strong?") return profile.” Sinovation Ventures, the fund’s management company, began operations in 2009 and currently manages six funds, with total [assets under management](https://www.financedigest.com/guide-to-choosing-a-digital-asset-management-system.html "Guide to Choosing a Digital Asset Management System") over $1.7 billion. Its investments are mainly focused on [China and with IRRs outpacing industry](https://www.financedigest.com/china-july-industrial-profits-down-as-covid-curbs-heatwaves-hit.html "China July industrial profits down as COVID curbs, heatwaves hit") averages, the firm has already delivered six unicorns including Meitu, Mobike, VIPKid  and Face ++. China has become one of the most [active markets](https://www.financedigest.com/the-plant-activators-market-to-witness-steadfast-growth.html "The Plant Activators Market To Witness Steadfast Growth") in the field of innovation and is the leading country in international patent applications. With more than 1 billion smartphone subscribers and an [annual growth](https://www.financedigest.com/automotive-gas-charged-shock-absorbers-market-worth-will-reach-us-2-9-bn-in-2021-grow-at-overall-compound-annual-growth-rate-cagr-of-5-0-between-2021-and-2031.html "Automotive Gas Charged Shock Absorbers Market worth will reach US$ 2.9 Bn in 2021, grow at overall compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0% between 2021 and 2031") of 12% year-on-year, the country is also a leader in the implementation of technologies such as mobile payments. The huge size of the Chinese internet market makes China a world leader in the generation of user data, which in turn has fed the fast-paced development of AI [solutions in the market](https://www.financedigest.com/the-patient-monitoring-handheld-solutions-market-to-be-constructively-capsized-by-the-digitization.html "The Patient Monitoring Handheld Solutions Market to be constructively capsized by the digitization"). Local tech giants such as [Alibaba and WeChat Tencent](https://www.financedigest.com/china-regulator-says-alibaba-tencent-have-submitted-app-algorithm-details.html "China regulator says Alibaba, Tencent have submitted app algorithm details") have grown to huge scales in a short period of time, riding a wave of innovation, consolidation and customer-focused services provision underpinned by technologies like AI and big data insight. China has also invested heavily in programs to promote the development of AI solutions, including Government-backed programs and strong support from universities and the nation’s tech companies. --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---