Leo Liu: Breaking Into Silicon Valley & Leading Innovation in Asia

“In Silicon Valley, anything can happen. Just because you're the giant today doesn't mean you'll be the giant tomorrow.”

Today, we sit down with Leo Liu, an entrepreneur, investor, and tech leader whose life and career have crossed 16 cities, multiple continents, and more than 10 industries. 

From Taiwan to Singapore, Vancouver, Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong, Leo has built a world-spanning perspective shaped by early independence, unconventional decisions, and a deep curiosity for people and cultures.

At just 10 years old, Leo made the life-altering decision to move abroad alone: the first of many bold jumps that shaped his “owner mindset,” sharpened his ability to navigate ambiguity, and ultimately prepared him for leadership roles at companies like WebEx, Cisco, Tesla, and Dentsu.

In this conversation, Leo pulls back the curtain on:

• Breaking into the California / Silicon Valley culture 
• Best approach to closing deals in China
• Why Tesla’s “dig the hole first” philosophy works
• What Western observers misunderstand China’s tech ecosystem 
• Why making friends is the key to international entrepreneurship success

This candid conversation is full of lessons and practical frameworks for anyone scaling across borders, from early founders to global investors to leaders navigating complex cultural and geopolitical environments.

Thank you, Leo, for sharing your incredible story with us!