Entrepreneurial Leader Du Jun Returns to Campus: Strategic Layout from Encryption to AI

On June 19, 2025, at the University of Hong Kong, a captivating dialogue attracted widespread attention. As a doctoral student at the University of Hong Kong, Du Jun, the co-founder of a well-known encryption cryptocurrency company and chairman of an investment group, shared his motivation for returning to school for further studies, the strategic layouts of different companies, and his unique insights into the Hong Kong encryption financial market.

Systematic twenty years of entrepreneurial experience

In 2024, Du Jun officially entered the PhD program at the University of Hong Kong, coinciding with the twentieth year of his entrepreneurial journey. Reflecting on the early days of his startup in 2004 and his experience of dropping out of school in 2005 due to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Du Jun admitted that over the past twenty years, he has been focused on entrepreneurship and investment practices, with little opportunity for in-depth systematic thinking. 2024 marks an important turning point in his career, and he hopes to transform the entrepreneurial and investment experiences he has accumulated over the past twenty years into a systematic and replicable knowledge system through pursuing a doctoral degree.

Du Jun stated: "My goal is to distill the practical experience of entrepreneurship and investment into a methodology, transforming it into structured tools that I and my team members can use." This is not only a personal learning process but also a deep reflection and sublimation of past experiences. He hopes to outline a widely applicable knowledge framework through the lens of academic research to provide scientific guidance for future entrepreneurship and investment decisions.

Strategic Transformation from the Encryption Field to New AI Technologies

As a co-founder of a well-known encryption cryptocurrency company, Du Jun's influence in the encryption field is undeniable. However, his newly established investment group showcases a more diversified strategic vision. In the conversation, Du Jun elaborated on the significant differences in positioning, structure, and business direction between the two companies.

His original company, as a primary market fund, adopted a traditional 5+2 investment cycle model, and the return pressure from external investors limited its ability to support long-term projects. Du Jun explained: "Some projects may take 8 years, 10 years, or even longer to succeed, and our original investment cycle is difficult to fully match this demand." In this model, the company acts more as a "project selector" or "referee."

In contrast, his newly established investment group is more akin to a joint family office, with the main funding sourced from Du Jun himself and another core shareholder. This structure provides the company with greater flexibility, allowing it to avoid the pressure of short-term returns and to support entrepreneurs' growth with a longer-term perspective. Du Jun emphasized: "Our funding is relatively long-term, three years, five years, or even ten years are not a problem." The goal of the new company is to become a "long-term companion" for entrepreneurs.

In terms of investment direction, the two companies show significant differences. The existing company's investment portfolio is entirely focused on the encryption sector, while the new company's strategy is more diversified. Du Jun revealed that the new company's investment focus has shifted to the AI field, with encryption projects only accounting for a small part of its portfolio. The new company mainly focuses on the AI application layer, particularly projects that can generate stable cash flow, improve efficiency, or optimize business processes.

"We do not invest in computing power or large models, because with our funding scale and North American resources, it is difficult to support investments in these areas," Du Jun explained. The new company focuses more on the application of AI in practical scenarios, such as AI security, AI talent recruitment, AI taxation, and financial tools. These projects are centered around the core goal of "simple efficiency improvement," closely aligned with market demand, aiming to capture the best investment returns during the AI technology explosion period.

Hong Kong: A Strategic Hub for Encryption Finance

As a veteran in the encryption industry, Du Jun is full of confidence in the development prospects of the Hong Kong market. He believes that Hong Kong, as a "bridgehead" connecting the mainland and the global market, has unique advantages in terms of geographic location and policy environment. In recent years, Hong Kong has introduced a series of supportive policies, including a stablecoin regulatory framework and talent introduction programs, attracting the attention of global blockchain enterprises and talent.

Du Jun commented: "Hong Kong surpasses the United States in the advancement and enforceability of regulations related to encryption. " He pointed out that Hong Kong's stablecoin policy provides a clear compliance path for industry innovation, and combined with its international advantages, is expected to foster new business models.

His team has been conducting business in Hong Kong through a listed company since 2022, and they have now established an office and are actively applying for relevant licenses. Among them, financial custody services are their core business direction in Hong Kong. Du Jun believes that, combined with Hong Kong's stablecoin policy, custody services are expected to develop more innovative business models on this basis, injecting new vitality into the encryption financial market.

Conclusion

From twenty years of entrepreneurial practice to systematic further studies upon returning to campus, Du Jun demonstrates the relentless pursuit of self-improvement by an industry leader. From founding an encryption company to establishing a new investment group, he has expanded his vision from the encryption field to the AI application layer, supporting entrepreneurs from a longer-term companionship perspective. At the same time, as an active participant in the development of the Hong Kong encryption market, Du Jun's deep insights into local policies and business layout provide important references for the entire industry. "Keep learning, embrace change, and you can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry." This may be the most sincere advice offered by this industry veteran.