On May 23rd, at the BEYOND Expo, Ifeng Technology invited Zhang Haoling, co-founder of Heroad Investments, to jointly discuss issues related to ESG. During this conversation, Zhang Haoling stated that the future trend of ESG will be more globalized. Although China’s ESG development is still in its nascent stage, it is not lagging behind, and everyone is on the same starting line.
Figure 1 :Zhang Haoling was interviewed by Ifeng News
Zhang Haoling also believes that it is crucial for companies to establish their own ESG direction during the governance process. She has discovered that ESG is more effective when implemented early in a company's development, fostering long-term growth.
When discussing the investment value of the technology sector, Zhang Haoling emphasizes that technology inherently serves societal progress, with most scientific and technological advancements driving overall societal development. The suitability of technology for investment hinges on its effective application, technical soundness, and the team's capabilities. She highlights, "As many countries worldwide enter an aging phase, technologies that aid the elderly, replace hazardous occupations, and promote physical and mental well-being hold immense future potential."
Additionally, Zhang Haoling explained why she pays attention to people with autism. She mentioned that when she was at the China Global Philanthropy Institute, many of her classmates were parents of children with autism, which allowed her to learn about their life experiences. Later, she realized that many issues could be resolved through technological means. She stated, "In the past, technology served the general public more, but now we see millions of families with autism, and this can actually be helped by leveraging the power of technology to alleviate many of their burdens. So, we developed digital therapy solutions to facilitate coordination and information sharing between families and rehabilitation institutions."
The following material is the transcript of the dialogue between Zhang Haoling, co-founder of Heroad Investments and the Ifeng News(with some parts of the conversation omitted).
Question: As a co-founder of Heroad Investments, what do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities for proactive ESG investment strategies in the Chinese market?
Zhang Haoling: Firstly, speaking of opportunities, ESG is a significant trend now in both domestic and international markets. It is mainly divided into two types: one is “screening“ type , such as selecting companies based on specific criteria; the “proactive” type, which adopts ESG as an active assessment tool that helps companies, especially early-stage start-up ones to grow sustainably and address risks responsibly. Apart from opportunities, the progress of promoting ESG concepts and practices are hindered as many domestic companies are unfamiliar with ESG concepts and practices. Hence, we need to put considerable efforts in raising people’s awareness in terms of ESG concepts.
Question: In the current economic environment, what will be the future trends of ESG investing?
Zhang Haoling: Firstly, I believe this is a process of continuous expansion. Some developed countries have already developed ESG-related regulations as well as promote the idea of ESG investment/responsible investment for some time. Against the backdrop of a global community with a shared future, ESG shares common sustainability goals across the globe, so its future trends are more likely to be globalized. Overall, China is still in its early stages globally. Everyone is on the same starting line, and we have many good policies in place that will allow us to move forward faster.
Question: Why should many start-up teams also pay attention to ESG concepts and practices?
Zhang Haoling: While ESG is often perceived as a form of social responsibility for large corporations, it is actually a new and comprehensive business model that encompasses various aspects of a company's operations. For instance, in the context of environmental sustainability, ESG considerations may extend to production processes, resource conservation, and waste management. Technology companies, in particular, have ample opportunities to engage with ESG principles. ESG also concerns with stakeholders’ interest, including customers and suppliers. It emphasizes the need for companies to align their actions with the common good. Within the ESG framework, we believe that "alignment" is the most crucial element. It is essential for companies to establish a clear ESG direction during the governing process. Many large corporations face significant challenges when attempting to revamp their ESG strategies at a later stage, often incurring substantial costs for restructuring or replanning. However, companies that proactively incorporate ESG principles into their early planning stages can reap significant benefits and ensure a smooth implementation process. ESG serves as a valuable tool for companies to incorporate into their strategic planning from the outset. Therefore, we advocate for the early adoption of ESG principles, as this approach fosters long-term business growth and sustainability.
Question: With the development of technology, which areas do you think are more valuable for investment?
Zhang Haoling: Technology inherently serves the advancement of society. Consequently, most scientific and technological advancements drive overall societal progress, and numerous domains hold immense technological potential. The suitability of an investment hinges on the effective application of the technology, its robustness, and the team's capabilities. As many nations worldwide transition into aging societies, technologies that assist the elderly, replace hazardous and harmful occupations, and promote overall physical and mental well-being hold immense future prospects.
Question: Why do you focus on autism? How do you mainly help individuals with autism integrate into society?
Zhang Haoling: During my time at the China Global Philanthropy Institute, I had the opportunity to interact with numerous parents of children with autism. Through their personal stories, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges they face. In the past, due to the lack of public understanding of autism, these families often endured immense hardships. I realized that many of these issues could be addressed through technological advancements. Traditionally, technology has primarily served the general population. However, with millions of families affected by autism, we recognized the potential of technology to alleviate their burdens significantly. Initially, we launched a project that provided these families with information technology tools, such as easy access to relevant policies and educational resources. Subsequently, based on their feedback and our observations, we discovered that digital solutions could be effectively implemented in various institutions. This approach could address the shortage of qualified rehabilitation therapists and provide effective support for special needs children's home education. Therefore, we developed digital therapy solutions to facilitate coordination between families and rehabilitation institutions, ensuring transparency and information sharing.
Question: Throughout the entire process of entrepreneurship, what were the biggest challenges you had? How have you resolved them?
Zhang Haoling: The entrepreneurial journey is filled with daily challenges and obstacles, making it difficult to pinpoint any single one as the most significant. However, it is precisely these challenges that make entrepreneurship so exhilarating. Each day presents new opportunities to learn and grow, and the constant pursuit of progress is what fuels the allure of this path. I believe that by embracing the daily grind and striving for continuous improvement, we can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger.
Question: How do you usually balance your work and life? Do you have any advice for women in the workplace?
Zhang Haoling: In the workplace, I believe it is crucial to have a job that you genuinely enjoy. When you're immersed in your work, even if there's a lot to do, it all feels organized. I believe that being immersed in work promotes both physical and mental well-being. Outside of work, I have various hobbies that complement my professional life. For instance, I enjoy traveling, and during my trips, I observe how different countries and businesses effectively implement ESG principles and develop their social value. This approach enriches my professional knowledge, and I don't see a stark separation between my work and personal life. Instead, I find that blending them brings me immense fulfillment.
--END--