Mark Pols

Growth Investor

2023 - Current

Special projects supporting the CEO

2022

Corporate Development

2018 - 2022

Supported company executive leadership on various strategic projects, and acquisitions. Coordinated comms, policy and business-related initiatives vis-a-vis China. Established the company's worldwide minority investment activities and made investments in several leading tech companies in the US, Europe, SEA and India. Key role in formulating and executing the company's cross product business messaging strategy which resulted in the set up of a new org and major acquisition.

Venture Capital Investor

2014 - 2017

Investments in technology companies that have great teams, products/services, and even bigger vision. Applying a global lens drawing from experiences in China, US and Europe. Investor in SoFi, Offerup, Airbnb and Slack.

Corporate Development

2013 - 2015

Responsible for corporate/business development activities in China and other Asian markets including investments, acquisitions and partnerships across Amazon's core retail, cloud computing and digital device/content platforms. Actively consulted with senior management on China strategy and day-day operational decisions.

Executive Director

2007 - 2013

Investment banking team focused on non-Japan Asian technology sector with a primary focus on coverage of Chinese clients. I sourced and executed public and private capital raisings (including IPOs), mergers & acquisitions and other financial advisory services on behalf of many of the leading technology and internet companies in the region including Alibaba, Baidu, Dangdang, New Oriental, YY, iSoftstone, 21Vianet, Renren, Xueersi, Focus Media, JA Solar, Solarfun, Spreadtrum, LDK Solar, Nexon, Tencent and Tudou. During this period, we also provided advisory services to leading global technology and internet players looking to acquire or otherwise enter the China market.

Principal

2003 - 2007

Chief representative of Piper Jaffray in charge of China investment banking activities, located in Shanghai. Started the office from scratch, including local regulatory approvals, build out of infrastructure and initial hiring of staff. Drove further expansion into the Hong Kong market through an acquisition of a local brokerage firm. Executed largest ever bookrun IPO mandate for the firm and established clear market share leadership in China among the US mid-market focused firms.

Associate

2003 - 2003

Helped establish West Coast technology investment banking team based in San Francisco.

Associate

2001 - 2002

Analyst

1998 - 2001

Investment banking analyst in the technology team in London and Menlo Park, CA.