Introduction of the Guest Speaker

Du Lei is a Partner at Sancus Ventures, investing in ambitious founders across AI and software infrastructure. Previously, he was a founding team member and Chief Scientist at Opendoor, helping scale the company to its IPO, and later co-founded Huma Finance. Known for recruiting and mentoring top engineers now leading at OpenAI and Anthropic, he actively supports the next generation of builders. Several of the startups he has guided have been admitted into world-class accelerators such as Y Combinator and HF0, reflecting his deep commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent.

Event Review

More than twenty students joined the workshop and took part in an open and lively conversation with investor Du Lei, exchanging ideas and experiences. He drew on his academic, professional, and investment experiences to present the growth journey of a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, while inspiring the next generation of founders.

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Key Takeaways

Opportunities of Our Time

Cloud computing, open-source tools, and AI automation are lowering barriers to entrepreneurship, enabling even students to turn ideas into real products.

Action over Perfection

Start with a demo, test the market early, and improve through iteration instead of waiting for perfection.

Power of Teams

University hackathons, clubs, and projects can be the birthplace of future co-founders and partners.

Using Resources Wisely

Platforms like Y Combinator provide funding, mentorship, and networks to help startups grow faster.

Courage to Begin

Age and inexperience are not obstacles—many iconic companies were started by students who dared to take the first step.

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He stressed that today’s tech and startup environment offers unprecedented opportunities for small teams and individuals, encouraging students to seize the moment.

The lecture presented a clear path for students: build skills and networks on campus, try entrepreneurship with courage, and progress through iteration and external support — making the journey from campus to entrepreneurship truly attainable.

Copywriting Runzhang
Layout Renata, Terrence
Images Runzhang
Review Terrence

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