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Jenny Xiao

Jenny Xiao

Formal First Name
Jenny
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Location
San Francisco

Jenny Xiao is a Partner at Leonis Capital, a research-driven venture capital firm specializing in artificial intelligence and deep technology startups. She works closely with technical founders to build AI-first companies, driving innovation at the intersection of machine learning, developer tools, and enterprise SaaS. Leveraging her deep academic background and hands-on research experience, Xiao bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI research and venture investing, bringing a data-driven and thesis-based approach to identifying high-potential founders and technologies. Originally pursuing an academic career, Xiao transitioned into venture capital after a research role at OpenAI, where she developed expertise in the commercial application of frontier AI models. Today, she focuses on seed and pre-seed investments in AI-powered verticals, ML infrastructure, and AI-driven enterprise solutions, helping founders scale transformative technologies from concept to market.

Professional Experience

Academic History

LEONIS CAPITAL

  • At Leonis Capital, Jenny Xiao partners with technical founders and leads thesis-driven investments in AI-native and deep tech startups at the seed and pre-seed stages.

  • She specializes in artificial intelligence, developer tools, and the commercial application of advanced research breakthroughs, helping founders turn cutting-edge innovations into scalable businesses.

  • Her research-led investment approach has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s strategy and growth, including the successful raise of a $25 million fund.

  • Under her leadership, Leonis Capital has backed high-potential startups such as Spline, Motion AI, Zeta Labs, and Unify.ai.

  • Xiao also works closely with the firm’s research fellows, guiding investment decisions from sourcing to portfolio support to drive long-term value creation.


EXPERTISE & EARLY CAREER

  • A researcher-turned-venture capitalist, Jenny Xiao brings deep expertise in AI, economics, and technology policy.

  • Initially pursuing an academic path, she transitioned from research to venture capital to have a more tangible impact on the AI startup ecosystem.

  • Before joining Leonis Capital, she worked as a Researcher at OpenAI, where her experience deepened her understanding of how emerging AI models could shape the future of business and society.

  • She also served as a Research Fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University, contributing to global discussions on AI ethics and governance.

  • Xiao conducted her Ph.D. research at Columbia University, where her dissertation examined the AI industries in the U.S. and China, exploring the dynamics between innovation, competition, and regulation in both ecosystems.


RECOGNITION


MEDIA PRESENCE

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