Reactions from ranked influencers
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Can't speak for him specifically but based on my interactions with mainland Chinese entrepreneurs who have completed graduate studies in the US: Reasons to return to China: - Much larger market opportunity to build a huge business (in real terms) where you can move and scale faster - Family/friends and comparable quality of life (arguably better if you are a "city" person) - Easier from a language and cultural perspective Reasons to stay in the US: - Greater opportunity to build a more valuable business (in nominal terms of market cap/valuation) and build financial moats - Higher level of competition and overall degree of entrepreneurial difficulty in China; need to move/scale faster just to survive - If they really like the suburban lifestyle or have already put down meaningful roots (e.g. older kids in school, existing network) Side note: I have not met a single one who cites "CCP coercion" as the primary motivation to move back. I don't know why people are bringing this up; it makes zero sense unless you think the CCP are incompetent. Fear/"sticks" is a highly ineffective tool to recruit motivated, high-performing entrepreneurs. Adverse selection effect. Instead, the CCP's main role is a carrots-based approach, particularly in fostering an ecosystem that is supportive and makes life easier for entrepreneurs to build and develop companies. This is also done more through local governments than the central government.
kimi’s founder & ceo got his phd at cmu. why didn’t he stay in america?!
feels less like “america failed to keep him” and more like founder-market fit: huge semi-protected chinese market, less viable competitors, and way more room to become the local category winner. visa friction probably mattered, but for someone at this level it seems secondary.
kimi’s founder & ceo got his phd at cmu. why didn’t he stay in america?!