Firm continues to redefine the role of private equity to bring real solutions to global industries; Simon Wu and Jean-François Cochy Promoted to Partners of Cathay Innovation
Cathay Capital, a pioneering global investment firm, announces today the appointment of Kamran-Charles Vossoughi as Global Operating Partner for the industrial sector. The new role is designed to answer the evolving needs of investors, corporations and businesses of all sizes navigating the digital transformation era with Vossoughi focusing on the climatetech, energy and mobility verticals. The news follows a recent expansion of the firm’s leadership team for its venture capital practice, Cathay Innovation, with the promotions of Simon Wu and Jean-François Cochy to Partners in the US and France, respectively.
Most recently the CEO of Michelin China, Vossoughi brings over 20 years of best-in-class industrial expertise to support Cathay Capital’s investment teams across private equity and venture capital along with its ecosystem of startup and corporate innovators. As Global Operating Partner, he will focus on co-creation initiatives with investors and corporate partners and support the development of impactful startups while bringing invaluable hands-on operating experience helping companies implement digital, innovative and sustainable business practices.
“Thanks to Cathay’s ongoing collaboration with Michelin as an investor and strategic partner in our funds, I’ve witnessed first-hand the outstanding professionalism of Kamran Vossoughi over the past three years. His global mindset and experience, his emphasis on innovation and his understanding of the need for growth while generating real wealth for society perfectly aligns with Cathay’s vision. Kamran will enhance our ecosystem’s ability to lead the global industrial transition forward and I’m proud to welcome him to the team as we begin a new stage in Cathay’s entrepreneurial journey.”
— Mingpo Cai, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Cathay Capital
Redefining the role of private equity
The creation of the Global Operating Partner function marks the latest evolution of the firm as it redefines the traditional role of private equity towards becoming a solutions provider. In addition to Vossoughi, Cathay Capital plans to recruit additional high-profile experts to lead each of its key verticals with three core goals:
- Contribute to the sustainable transformation of industries as a leading resource in high-impact verticals (e.g., industry / mobility, inclusive fintech, healthcare, agri-food, etc.)
- Support investment teams and portfolio companies with deep, unmatched sector expertise
- Help investors and corporate partners successfully innovate through co-creation (e.g., joint ventures, spin-offs)
“I’m delighted to join Cathay Capital and bring my executive and industrial experience to its global ecosystem of investors, entrepreneurs and corporates. At Cathay, I’m reinvigorating my passion for entrepreneurship and innovation, for connecting people around the world and for making a positive impact – taking on the urgent challenge of the sustainable digital transformation of our industries. With a global operating team and co-creation platform, we can go deeper, faster and broader to explore new horizons and create more value for our ecosystem, our planet and for the next generations.”
— Kamran-Charles Vossoughi, Global Operating Partner, Cathay Capital
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About Kamran-Charles Vossoughi
As Michelin’s CEO of China, Vossoughi led the region to significant growth despite the pandemic, overseeing industrial sites, retail franchise networks, R&D centers and various ventures to trigger innovation in smarter, greener and more connected mobility. Over the years, Kamran has held various executive and operational roles across France, Poland, Russia, CIS countries and the Middle East. Starting his career as a Civil Engineer, Vossoughi holds a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and scientific computing from the Ecole Centrale de Paris and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris. Kamran is a Member of the Board of the European Chamber of Commerce in China and an elected member of the French Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.
About Cathay Capital Group
Cathay Capital Group is a global investment firm supporting companies at all stages throughout North America, Asia, Europe and Africa. By helping navigate the opportunities of globalization and sustainable transformation, Cathay is the partner of choice for companies aspiring to lead markets and make a positive impact. Its global platform connects people – from investors and entrepreneurs to management teams and leading corporations – across continents to share knowledge, the tools to scale, and achieve the extraordinary. Founded in 2007 with a strong entrepreneurial heritage, Cathay Capital now manages over $4.5B in assets, has completed over 220 buyouts, growth and venture capital investments with the global reach and local expertise from offices in Paris, New York, Shanghai, Munich, San Francisco, Beijing, Singapore, Shenzhen and Tel Aviv.
For more information, please visit www.cathaycapital.com
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