Who is Diverso?
Since 2004 Diverso has dedicated itself to first identifying and then facilitating the commercialization of innovative technologies developed globally into China. We provide capital to innovative companies to invest in product development, and simultaneously help them access what is often their largest but most difficult to navigate market. To realize the full commercial potential of any technology in China requires more than just capital. It requires anticipation and response to the changing market demands through sound commercial strategies. And it requires time. To do this, we take long-term positions in our portfolio companies, focusing on sustained R&D investment and long-term planning. With our capital comes practical advice, market intelligence, strategic resources and deep access to our networks in China. We seek to ensure that innovative companies can walk before they run.
Our Mission
China’s development today faces a series of challenges from escalating energy consumption and commodity imports to rising unit labor costs. To continue improving the well-being of its citizens it needs to accelerate investment in technology, whether at home or from abroad. In clean energy, the Chinese Government has proven its deep commitment to be being at the forefront of global R&D, technology adoption and investment, and policymakers have set stringent renewable energy and energy savings targets to incentivize investment to meet these goals. Fostering world-class innovation will take time and is best down in collaboration with foreign providers that have decades of experience operating in such an environment. We are positioned to support these efforts through introducing global technologies to China that tackle climate change and energy security without qualitatively changing the way people live. Our mission is to identify and help build companies that share our values, enthusiasm and commitment to commercializing disruptive technology to provide for a better, cleaner future.
A Unique Process
Diverso is a China based independent clean technology investment firm that networks ideas and people from around the world to identify and develop the leading clean technology companies of the future. Utilising its extensive knowledge of the market and policy direction in China, diverso identifies global technologies that align with current and future regulations to provide clear and viable paths to commercialization.
Our formula for success combines a unique integration of development, analysis, strategic planning and operations
Development
Click HereWe balance our ideals and passion for the environment and the technology, with the requisite business acumen and network required to realize the commercial potential of new clean technologies in the market.
Utilising our extensive knowledge of the market and policy direction in China, we are better able to identify global technologies that align with current and future regulations to provide clear and viable paths to commercialization.
Spotting Inflections
We balance our ideals and passion for the environment with the requisite technological expertise, business acumen and network to realize the commercial potential of new technologies in China. We seek to identify trends early by developing a deep knowledge base of the underlying technological pathways. To be in the right position to catch these waves we engage in a constant, ongoing dialogue with our team of specialists. To identify catalysts for mass adoption we are also constantly tracking the changes in the regulatory environment. Finally we track the competitive landscape in the fast moving China market to see predict potential openings in the market. This pays off in identifying prospective portfolio companies, in accelerating the due diligence process, and in finalizing investment terms. Our extensive experience of the market and policy goals in China provides a platform that identifies global technologies that align with current and future regulatory environments in China to provide clear and viable paths to commercialization.
Building a Robust Plan
Thorough analysis is at the foundation of every decision we make, and is the first responsibility for everyone at Diverso, from partner to analyst. Diverso’s market intelligence and technology expertise provide the building blocks for comprehensive strategic and financial analysis which provides a robust platform to optimize the commercial potential of a technology quickly and efficiently. This plan should identify the key players and decision makers in the space as well as having a clear understanding of the USPs for the technology and how to clearly explain and capitalize on them when engaging with potential partners. This platform is strengthened by our specialist network in China and our access to decision makers in government, industry and finance. Investee companies gain full access to these resources and networks to optimize resource allocation and minimize market entry risks when partnered with Diverso.
Implementing That Plan
For many young technology companies the prospect of entering the China market is a mouth-watering, but daunting one. A different culture, an impenetrable language and a large number of stakeholders all makes for a potentially very frustrating marketing effort. It is necessary to put in place a team that deeply understands the underlying policy objectives, the decision making process and is able to effectively explain the technology and its advantages to potential partners. By teaming up with Diverso, companies are able to accelerate the timeframe and increase effectiveness. Whether advising on human resources, financial strategy, risk or supply chain management, we provide practical advice and work with companies to identify the best solutions that will deliver sustained value for our partners when entering China.
Our Experienced Team
Our success is built around the expertise and experience that we have built up in three distinct areas - science, deal-making and relationship management. Our panel of scientists allows us to stay at the fore front of technological change in sustainable development and tap into the deepest network of available opportunities. Our deal team has broad experience in both international and local Chinese markets.
Finally, we remain focused is on how to commercialize viable technologies in China. The key to this is effective communication. We are committed to and devote the resources necessary to building close and long-lasting relationships with the management teams in both China and abroad. We thrive on a culture of openness and trust through dialogue, striving to develop our capabilities and those of our partners to achieve their full potential.
Our People
Jonathan Glen
Co-founder / Managing Partner
The son of an aeronautical engineer, Jonathan grew up in Singapore and the UK in a mixed family giving him an acute appreciation of how to thrive across different cultural environments. His quantitative skills led him to manage a large fixed income and derivative portfolio for WestLB in London, allowing him to appreciate the increasing interconnectedness of today's world and how difficult it is to manage risk in global markets.
His response was to get micro -- know your investment better than anyone else and work actively to control that risk by helping investee companies generate commercial opportunities. He uses his experience in finance and his proven business acumen to work hand in hand with management teams to help realize their company's full potential.
A move to China in 2003 means that Jonathan's cross-border skills have been fully exploited as he is a native speaker of both English and Mandarin and is conveniently viewed as a neither Chinese nor foreign. A natural builder, he takes a hands on approach to working with our partner companies to set realistic goals, get the right supporting team in place and to ensure a clear path to commercialization is established.
He can be reached at jonathan@diversomgmt.com
Wider Team
Though our people come from around the world and different disciplines, everyone shares the same passion for clean technology and its ability to positively transform the world around us. We go to great lengths to employ people that bring a broad base of specialist skills so that collectively, as a team, we have the breadth and depth of market, sector and management expertise necessary to identify and build leading clean technology companies. Aligned with our partners, the spirit at diverso is one of entrepreneurialism. We encourage creative, independent thinking from the junior analyst to Partner; we want everyone on the team at diverso to have an opinion and a voice.
Specialists
Diverso's network of seasoned industry specialists provides access not only to deep technology and industry experience and knowledge but also to decision makers in China and abroad. Our specialists are an invaluable source to guide Diverso through the merits and risks of often complex technologies as well as in providing context when evaluating potential additions to our portfolio.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides Diverso with a balanced yet complimentary combination of skills, experience and leadership to advise us through all phases of the investing process, from sourcing to due diligence to exit strategy. The wealth of experience and views provides resources offering Frank assessments of our investment and operating strategies.
