Miss Smith has a particular interest in cross-border venture capital deals designed to invest in companies focused on developing long-term strategic relationships via business creation partnerships with domestic Chinese firms, organizations, and universities. Through her work and doctoral analysis on China, she has developed a nuanced perspective for domestic Chinese technology commercialization and performance enhancement activities from the perspective of local municipal and provincial governments.
Tharon leads a unique partnership with the Fudan University Venture Capital Research Institute, focused specifically on the indigenous development of science and technological innovation, local start-ups, and domestic venture capital in China. In this role, she identifies high growth companies, leads international exchange trips, interview-based research discussions and success/performance dialogues for both US and Chinese venture capitalists.
As a doctoral candidate, she set out independently to investigate the success and performance of domestic Chinese venture capitalists. Applying criteria-based institutional framework, this pioneering research has highlighted the characteristics and role of government involvement, entrepreneurial development, and cultural sensitivities necessary for improved success and financial performance in venture investment.